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©Alana Stevenson 2009
Some precautions and easy planning can make car travel much safer and more enjoyable for you and your animal companions. Cats and dogs have different needs. In general, driving is far safer and less stressful than flying. Unless you can carry your dog or cat with you into the cabin on a plane (weight restrictions apply), it is better to drive by car.
Make sure all animals are microchipped before you travel. This can be done by a veterinarian. Sometimes, cities and towns offer low-cost microchipping clinics. Ensure addresses and phone numbers for microchipped animals are up to date. In addition, all animals should wear collars with tags. Tags, containing your name, address and phone number, can be sewn into the collars to prevent noisy tags from jingling, or you can buy tag pockets online.
Bring photographs, including color copies, of your animals, and bring copies of your dog’s or cat’s up to date vaccinations records. The above precautions will help, if, God Forbid, your animal becomes temporarily lost or if an unexpected problem arises. Be prepared ahead of time to keep your animals safe.
All animals should have soft carriers, soft crates, or a soft bed to lie down on. If cats are traveling in the car for long distances, they should have access to litter boxes. Use unscented, clumping litter. The littler box should be large enough so it does not topple over and your kitty should not have to lie down in it for lack of space. A large dog crate can keep kitties confined, but give them room, and keep them comfortable. This is a preferred way of travel for kitties if you plan on taking a relatively long trip.
If you are driving with small animals, cats, or sometimes dogs, who may not like loud noises, keep windows rolled up and turn on the air conditioner. If you have a dog or cat who gets a bit wheezy or car sick in the car, keep the air conditioner on in the summer and ease up on the defrost in the winter. Defrost can intensify car sickness. If your dog is prone to car sickness, cracking the window a little in the winter can help so your dog can get some fresh air. A homeopathic remedy, Cocculus, given 15 to 20 minutes before travel, can help prevent car sickness in animals. You can purchase Cocculus in many health food stores.
Brake gently when coming to a stop or driving around a curve. Too much zipping around and heavy breaking can make animals become sick in the car. Drive safely and brake slowly. If you need to drive very slowly, drive in the right lane and put on your hazards. This way you can avoid people tailgating you. Tailgaters can be extremely stressful when you have animals in the car.
Bring a lot of water! You can purchase portable, foldable water bowls that are designed for travel. These can be cumbersome for cats, but usually are fine for dogs. If you bring ceramic or stainless steel bowls, make sure they are sturdy with rubber rims, so that they do not topple over or slide around. Ceramic or stainless steel bowls are sturdier and safer than plastic bowls. Bowls should be large enough for a kitty’s whiskers. Most food and water bowls designed for cats are too small.
Bring both canned and dry food. Canned food is more portable. Bring plastic spoons and forks, and a spray bottle filled with water. A spray bottle is a convenient way to rinse utensils, wet paper towels, or wipe up any dirt or stains quickly that might occur on a journey.
Bring paper towels, pet wipes or feminine wipes (in case your kitty steps in messy litter or vomit, or your dog steps in something unpleasant during a road stop). It is extremely unpleasant for all of you if there is a mess and it cannot be cleaned up immediately. Likewise, bring a pleasant smelling enzyme cleaner to clean up stains, urine, vomit, or feces. Use this for accidents in cars, hotel rooms, and on bedding. Bring a clean small empty plastic bag for garbage. Life is much more enjoyable when you are prepared.
Dog Appeasement Pheromone, also called “Comfort Zone,” can be sprayed in the car daily, beginning a few days before a journey. This scent can be relaxing for dogs. Feliway, a synthetic feline pheromone, can be sprayed in the car a few times daily for three to four days before a road trip. This can be mildly calming for cats.
Make sure your dog is exercised and tired before a road trip. Run, jog, walk and play with your dog for 40 minutes to an hour before you take him for a long ride in the car. Animals should not eat big meals before a journey.
Take periodic breaks for dogs so they can go to the bathroom and stretch their legs. If you need to let your kitties out of their carriers, make sure all car doors are closed and locked. The same applies for when you let small animals or cats out of their carriers to roam in hotels. Very small animals (hamsters, mice, rats, gerbils) should always remain in portable carriers or cages. It is too risky to let small animals out of their carriers or cages while traveling.
Keep your dog on a leash at all times. If you want your dog to have “off-leash” freedom, keep a leash attached to your dog and let it dangle behind him. If you want to take your dog hiking, or to a park, or an open area off leash, you can buy “long-lines” which are extra long leashes. This way, if your dog unexpectedly runs after a deer or small animal in the woods, the leash will become tangled and your dog will not run too far. More importantly, if the leash is long enough, you can grab or step on the other end of the leash, before your dog has the opportunity to run too far away from you. Long-lines vary in size from 15 ft. to 100 ft.
Make sure to bring bones, treats, chewies, toys, cat toys, catnip, and any brushes your animals may enjoy. Remember, if they are traveling with you, it’s their trip too.
Keep music on a soft volume.
Keeping your animals happy during travel is very important. If your animals have bad experiences, they will not want to travel again. If you are relaxed because you are prepared, you will be more attentive to your animals’ needs and they will be more relaxed too. Taking the proper precautions will ensure a safe journey for both you and your animal companions.
Alana Stevenson, MS is a professional Animal Behaviorist and humane Dog Trainer. She is the author of the "The Right Way the First Time, Teaching Your Dog Kindly and Humanely." She can be reaced at her website www.AlanaStevenson.com. |
