Keep Your Pet Comfortable While Traveling

Some pets don't care to be in cars, others don't mind, but most don't want to be in a car for long periods of time. Pets easily suffer from carsickness, however, since their pet owners choose to travel by car on vacations pets don't really have a choice in the matter and are subjected to traveling for long periods in a car. If you choose to take your pet with you when traveling on vacation, be sure you make their trip as comfortable as possible. Here are a number of things you can do to accomplish that.

If your pet doesn't ride often, don't throw them in the fire by taking them on a long travel trip without slowly getting them use to riding in a car or at least riding longer than 30 minutes. Take your pet on several short trips, at least 30 minutes, a few times to help them get comfortable. Take them on scenic routes instead of highways to help them have a pleasant, easygoing experience. After several short trips like this, then try the highway and higher speeds but work them up to this level slowly.

While traveling, plan to make stops along the way to give your pet some time to roam around and exercise, and of course, relieve him or herself. Be sure to take your cat's litter box with you. Unlike dogs that will relieve themselves anywhere, cats will be more reluctant to use the bathroom in unfamiliar places. If you do take your pet on vacation trips, you will need to make more frequent trips than usual for your pet to relieve him or herself and drink water. Pets get thirsty quickly traveling in a car because they tend to get hot faster. You can take a cooler with you filled with ice and let your pet lick the ice cubes. This will keep you from having to make too frequent stops.

Also, take along their own dog food don't feed your pet human food the entire time of the trip, it can make them car sick. When you let your pet out of the car be sure to have a leash around them, don't let them loose or wander around because they may get lost, hit by traffic, or you may get lost looking for them in unfamiliar territory. If you take your cat with you on your trip, be sure to get identification tags, cats have a way of taking off and getting lost. When you decide to take your pet with you on your vacation travel trips be sure you take all the paperwork regarding their updated shots with you. Many places and countries will not allow pets if they don't have their shots.

Also, wherever you plan to stay, if not a relative or friend's house, be sure you check to see if they take pets and the size limit required. To make your pet's trip as comfortable as possible provide them with a crate or pillow that will help them relax. Be sure to give your pet the window seat, this allows them to get air, which they will need especially if they are feeling a little woozy, but it also gives them a nice view.

When traveling in the summer don't leave your pet in a parked car for long periods of time. If you do leave them in the car for short periods, roll down the windows and park in the shade. If your pet does get car sick during long vacation trips, you can give them some Dramamine to help calm their stomach. Check with your vet regarding how much Dramamine to give them.