For many it is unthinkable to travel without their dog or cat, however, travelling can be very stressful for animals, who barely understand what is happening. So that the trip is pleasant, for both the owner and pet, some tips may be followed. Before travelling, the need to take your pet must be considered. If it is for a short period, there may be the possibility of leaving a friend or family member in charge of your pet, thus avoiding the stress of a trip, although both pet and owner may miss each other. If you cannot leave your best friend with someone, here are some tips to take your pet with you on a trip.

Before the trip

The first care to be taken is to make sure you have a pet transporter for your pet, which then you must make it become a safe place for the dog or cat, or another animal, that is transported in it. Making the carrier a positive place is not as difficult as it sounds. Leave the carrier in your pet's favourite spot, with the doors open. Inside put some toys, the blankets it likes the most or even a piece of your own clothing, so that the animal associates the carrier with the tranquillity of its owner.

With the gradual adaptation of the pet carrier, it is advisable to pay a visit to the vet. Knowing the health status of the animal is important so that at the end of the trip everything goes as planned. A weakened animal can worsen its state of health, by being subject to a trip, which ends up being stressful. Even with a healthy animal, it is important to go to the vet to update the animal's vaccination, as, in the case of a plane trip, airlines may require the animal to board with the complete vaccination plan.

Before the trip, avoid feeding your pet as like us, animals can also get sick during the trip and having a full stomach can lead to accidents.

During the trip

In the case of cats, during the trip, you should take an improvised litter box, because if the trip is long, it is expected that the animal will need to do its physiological needs. In the case of a dog, don't forget to take a bag to collect the waste, which the dog can do in a suitable space, during one of the stops. Of course, stops are only possible when travelling by car, but keep on reading to find some tips for travelling on public transport with pets. Even in the car, it is important that driving is smooth to reassure the animal and in the case of cats, it is not advisable to take them out of the carrier, as their curiosity can lead to dangerous situations.

In public transport, travel can be more complicated, for the owner and the animal. In addition to not being able to take the animal out of the carrier, the sounds of the means of transport can activate some emotional triggers in your pet. Therefore, it is important to try to keep your best friend calm, with your voice or even by covering the carrier with a blanket, so that the visual field is more detached.


As for air travel, it is best to check all the parameters with the airline, to avoid boarding embarrassments. Researching the airline's rules is important, because in certain cases, depending on the dimensions of the carrier, the animal can stay in the cabin, and not stay in the hold without the company of its owner. In case the trip has to be carried out in the hold, make the carrier the safest place possible, by making sure it is properly closed. You can place an absorbent cloth on the base, in case the animal relieves itself during the trip. On air travel, due to the environment, your pet must have water available, as they can become dehydrated.

Extra help

Travelling with animals can be stressful, but by following exactly what makes your pet comfortable there is nothing that can go wrong. If you want, veterinary clinics sell tranquillizers for animals, precisely to help calm your best friend during a trip.

Author

Deeply in love with music and with a guilty pleasure in criminal cases, Bruno G. Santos decided to study Journalism and Communication, hoping to combine both passions into writing. The journalist is also a passionate traveller who likes to write about other cultures and discover the various hidden gems from Portugal and the world. Press card: 8463. 

Bruno G. Santos