Traveling with Your Pets

Today pets are like family to us. From dogs and cats to fish and rats, all give us a sense of comfort. When many of us have to travel, whether it is for pleasure or for work, we'd like to take them along with us. So why not take them with you? All you have to do is make your pets as comfortable traveling as they are at home.

Let's start with dogs. Dogs are one of the most kept pets along with cats. But to make sure Fido is safe on the move in the vehicle, keep an eye on him. He shouldn't be moving around the whole car continuously. To make sure he doesn't (that is if he does move continuously) place him in a crate, either in the back of the car, SUV, or truck. Make sure the crate is secure so the crate won't move around and shake Fido up too. But if the distance is too much for you and you want your best friend shot gun you can try a harness. The harness attaches to the seat belt so they are secured safely.

With cats it's preferred to not let them out of the bag as many tend to get sick. So get a soft or hard carrier, or even a box carrier, that will make a cat feel safe and secure. A carrier that's dark is preferable so that the cat stays calmer. Add something to the bottom for them to lie on also. Something like and old blanket, shirt, or something they always liked to sleep on. That could be anything but try and pick something that will fit in the carrier. Make sure you secure the carrier after you kitty is in it. You don't want to stop only to fine a mess of fur and a mad cat.

Rodents of any kind need something that feels like home. You don't need much for mice or rats. As long as they are snug in a container that won't flip or move much while your vehicle is moving. A little bit of the original bedding to smell like home, a toy, a little bit of food, and maybe a sleeping pouch for them, if they use it, is all that's needed. Make sure the tank or carrier is sturdy and wont fall apart if bumped around too much. To make sure it doesn't get bumped around place it on the floorboard of the car. Place a pillow or something of the like on either side of the tank so it doesn't move much.

Birds are also one of the few pets that travel with us. But unlike dogs, cats, or rodents they are flighty and fragile. Too much stress can cause many a health problem in these feathered pet. So to travel with them you have to keep them calm. Try to keep them in the dark if anything. A box is good so they can't fly around to hurt themselves. If you don't want to put them in a box then try a small cage and cover that with something. It doesn't have to be anything fancy; just a towel or sheet is fine.

Fish are as tricky as birds are, or more so. Since fish need water to survive it is hard to find a way to travel with them. You really don't want to lug their tank with them and all that water. It's safer to use smaller containers to put the fish in. Nothing to large or top heavy though, you don't want water all over the back of the car with dead fish. Try something small enough to hold at least a cup to a cup and a half or two cups of water with enough room for the water to shift. Make sure that the lid is secured properly so no water seeps through the seal. With air breathing fish you might want to make sure there are small holes in lids so air can cycle within the container. You might want holes period.

So when traveling make sure you and your pets are safe by trying out some of these tips. When you travel safely you ensure that everyone gets to the destination safely. It is never too hard to take those extra few moments to make sure your pets are safely secured. With these tips you and your pets will be friends a long time.