Pet Travel Safety – By Land
With the holidays freshly behind us you’re probably pooped from all the traveling you did and, hopefully, you’re settling into the new year ready for what’s to come. Fittingly, National Pet Travel Safety Day falls right after the holiday season on January 2. As it turns out there is a lot to keeping pets safe when traveling.
First things first. Research the requirements of your destination as they vary from state to state, so read first and then take them to the veterinarian and get the necessary work done and documented. Are they healthy enough to travel? Are they up to date on their shots?
If your destination is the great outdoors, it’s crucial to address their health and safety. Talk to your veterinarian about preventive measures for fleas, ticks, and heartworms, as well as specific risks associated with outdoor environments. Diseases like leptospirosis—caused by bacteria found in water or soil—and rabies are real concerns.
Although the canine rabies variant was eradicated in the U.S. in 2007, other strains persist in wildlife, posing a risk to pets. Vaccination remains essential, even if you’re inclined toward titer testing. Titers can be a useful tool to check immunity, but they don’t replace vaccination when it comes to diseases like rabies, where legal and public health considerations apply. For more on rabies titers and vaccine discretion check out this article from Dr. Jean Dodds. Stay informed and proactive about your pet’s health for safe outdoor adventures!
A few weeks before the trip, it is helpful to take your pet for short rides in its carrier so that it becomes accustomed to being confined and in motion. Some pets have only been in their carriers and moving cars during trips to their veterinarian, so they associate the carrier and car ride with an unpleasant experience. Enjoyable destinations such as a doggie play date can help your pet feel better about trips in the car, as can lots of treats and praise.
It’s important to restrain these carriers in the car so that they don’t bounce around and inadvertently hurt your pet. Do this by securing a seat belt around the front of the carrier. If your dog is too big for a carrier, put a bed down in the backseat and secure them to the backseat by their harness.
Below are some general rules of the road when you’ve got precious fur baby cargo in tow.
When traveling by car:
- Don’t let your pet ride with their head out the window. If you decide to forgo using a crate, always keep your dog in the backseat in a harness attached to the seat buckle.
- Don’t feed your pet in a moving vehicle. In fact, it’s better to feed your pet several hours before you embark on your trip so that they are satiated and comfortable during the trip.
- Pack plenty of water. Always opt for bottled water on a road trip as drinking water from an area they aren’t used to could result in stomach discomfort.
- Never leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle; even with windows partially open, the temperature in a car can rise very high very quickly and bad things happen.
- Make frequent stops, every two or three hours, to allow your pet to stretch their legs and go to the bathroom. Offer plenty of water and treats to keep them hydrated and comfortable. Keep them on a leash the whole time! A rest stop is a really good place for a dog to get lost or get hurt.
- Don’t forget to pack your pet’s vaccination records. Some states require proof of rabies vaccination at certain interstate crossings and airports.
If your pup will spend most of the trip confined to a hotel room, it’s worth reconsidering whether bringing them along is the best choice. Subjecting pets to the stress of a long car ride—only to leave them cooped up—might not be fair to them.
In many cases, the best option is to leave your pet at home with a trusted sitter or boarding service. Traveling with pets can be stressful for everyone involved. Cats generally don’t handle car travel well, dogs can experience motion sickness, and the logistics can become overwhelming depending on your destination and mode of travel.
Additionally, age or health conditions, like arthritis or other mobility issues, can make traveling uncomfortable or even unsafe for your pet. By carefully weighing your options, you can ensure your furry friend’s well-being while you enjoy a stress-free trip.