Travelling and taking trips to the shopping center with your pet could sound like a fun and innocent thing to do as they are members of the family. However, motorists and pet lovers must take into consideration the hazards for both the pet and the owner.
According to Arrive Alive, pets can cause distractions for the driver and sudden stops could cause severe injury or death to the pet.
“Animals tend to get upset and disorientated when traveling by car. Knowing how to cope with this is vital to their well-being – as well as your own!”
Arrive Alive set out some guidelines to ensure that your journey and time on the road is a pleasant activity.
Tips for the general well-being of your pet when travelling:
- Don’t let your pet put its head out of the car window in case grit and dust get in its eyes. This can cause a nasty injury or infection.
- Be sure to keep the windows closed, or open them slightly on a warm day.
- Don’t leave your pet alone in the car if you can help it. The temperature can soar very quickly inside a locked car.
- If you must leave your pet in a parked car, make sure you roll down the windows slightly, lock the doors, and park in some shade.
There are a few points to consider before travelling with your pet.
Before travelling with your pet:
You need to ask whether it is a good idea to take your companion animal on vacation – is it best for the animal as well, or only best for you? Early acclimation to car travel is the key.
If your pet dislikes travelling by car, it might be worth taking it out for a few trips in the car before you set off to try to prepare it for the journey ahead. In the case of crossing international borders, make sure you have your pet’s proof of rabies vaccination and current health certificate in hand.
Some companion animals shouldn’t travel at all. If your companion animal is very young or very old, sick, recovering from surgery, or pregnant, then leave her at home.
On the day you leave, maintain your pet’s usual feeding routine. Anything out of the ordinary will probably make them feel more uneasy. Keep favorite toys and food handy as animals tend to respond better when they are surrounded by familiar things.
Compiled by Gypseenia Lion
SOURCE: Arrive Alive
