If you’re planning to travel with your pet, follow these tips to ensure a safe and stress-free experience.
A road trip is always more fun when your best friend tags along and for many of us, that includes those of the four-legged variety.
As more of us make plans to hit the highway, you may be making a list of points of interest to check out, the best places to grab a snack or lunch along the way, the nicest rest stops, and the most scenic routes to get you there. But have you considered the needs of your furry friends too?
Prepping your pet for their big journey, and keeping a few key things in mind along the way, will help provide a fun, safe and stress-free experience for them — and fewer headaches for you. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your adventure together.
Prepare your pet
While many dogs — and some cats, too — love car rides, for some, sitting in a small space while zooming down the highway at 100 kilometres an hour is a pure nightmare. If you’ve never driven with your pet, help them get used to the idea by sitting with them in your vehicle while it’s parked in the driveway. Then, try a couple of trips around the block together, eventually increasing the duration of your rides a bit each time. Try this for a week or so and then hopefully, when it comes time for the longer journey, your pet will be ready.
Don’t lose track
While nobody wants their beloved pet escaping the backyard and not being able to find their way home, it’s even more stressful if they bolt in unfamiliar surroundings. Don’t let this happen to you. Make sure your pet is microchipped and/or wearing a collar with all pertinent information noted, including your pet’s name and your name and contact information. That way, whoever finds them can easily reach you. You should also keep a recent picture of your pet nearby — you likely have many on your phone. And whenever you stop to let your pets stretch and relieve themselves, always make sure they're on a sturdy leash.
Ensure a smooth ride
While your pets may love nothing more than hanging out the window with their tongue and ears flapping in the breeze, the last thing you want is debris flying into their eyes, nose or mouth, causing infection or injury. For their sake, keep their heads inside. And while it may seem like a good idea to let your pet loose in the car, this can be dangerous for you and them. Keep them secured in a harness, or in a carrier with lots of ventilation, attached to a seatbelt. Just make sure they can stand, sit, turn around and lie down comfortably.
Pack a travel kit
You wouldn’t head out on an epic road trip without food and water. Make sure to bring lots for your pet, too. They can get warm fast wearing a big fur coat, so make sure they’re well hydrated — bottled water only, to lower the risk of tummy aches or illness that may arise from drinking from unfamiliar sources — and only the food that they’re familiar with. Also, pack a few of your pet’s favourite toys, a blanket or pillow and anything else that will make them more comfortable. Don’t forget waste bags, a scoop and any necessary medication. Check before you leave to see if there’s any documentation you may need for your pet, such as proof of rabies vaccination.
It goes without saying, but never leave your pet alone in your vehicle, especially on a hot summer’s day, even with the windows cracked. Your car can quickly turn into an oven. Follow these pointers, and you’re sure to make memories that will last a lifetime, for you and your furry friend.
Article courtesy of Johnson Inc. (“Johnson”). Johnson is an insurance intermediary specializing in home, auto and travel insurance, as well as group benefits. For more information about Johnson, go to www.johnson.ca (Quebec residents please visit: www.johnson.ca/quebec).
This article is provided for your general information only. Nothing in this article alters the terms or conditions of any insurance policy. Read your policy for a complete description of coverage and contact your insurance provider or intermediary for coverage and policy details.