Long journeys can be stressful for anyone, but when you’re traveling with a pet, the challenge can become even greater. Pets aren’t accustomed to long hours in a car or plane, and the unfamiliar sights, sounds, and environments can make them both anxious and stressed.
Before you plan a trip with your furry companion, it’s your responsibility to ensure that your pet is actually ready for the experience. After all, just like people, pets need a certain level of readiness to travel long distances comfortably and safely.
Is your dog prepared for a long journey, and will they be able to endure or even enjoy one soon? Here are some key signs that you should watch out for as a dog parent who intends to travel soon:
Key Takeaways
- There’s a lot you can do to ensure a smooth and stress-free long-distance trip for both you and your dog, and it all starts with a judgment call on whether they’re ready to or not
- On top of packing essential pet supplies like dog stainless steel bowls, dog collars, and harnesses, you’ll want to take several other precautions to ensure the safety of your pet during the trip
Your Dog Is Comfortable in a Carrier or Crate
One of the first indicators that your dog is ready for long-distance travel is their comfort level in a carrier or crate. Whether you’re driving or flying, most pets will need to spend significant time in a carrier and shouldn’t be antsy about doing so.
If your pet can stay calm and relaxed when confined for extended periods, this is a great sign they’ll handle travel well. This indicates that they see the crate as a safe and comfortable space, which can give them a sense of stability even if they’re in an unfamiliar situation or location. Try to create a comfortable space by packing essential pet supplies like dog stainless steel bowls, dog collars, and harnesses, you’ll want to take several other precautions to ensure the safety of your pet during the trip.
Conversely, if your pet struggles to settle down, becomes anxious, or tries to escape their carrier, they may not be ready for travel just yet. Perhaps gradual exposure to their carrier and traveling can help them react more positively to both.
Your Dog Is Not Anxious in New Environments
Would you say that your pet adapts well to new environments? Travel often exposes pets to unfamiliar places, new people, and different surroundings, all of which can be pretty overwhelming to them. Acting aggressively, trembling, or downright hiding in new settings signal that your canine companion isn’t quite ready yet for a long trip.
It’s also possible for your dog to react positively in a new environment and present signs that they’re prepared to see more of the world. You can tell by how your pup remains calm and healthily curious when they’re in a new space. This indicates that they can adjust quickly without signs of stress, which means that they’re more likely to handle the multiple demands of long travel by car, boat, or plane.
Your Dog Is in Good Health
You’ll also want your dog to be in the pink of health before embarking on any long trip. Travel is always physically demanding, even on humans, and pets with existing health issues may struggle with being away from home more than healthy ones.
If your pet has no medical problems and receives regular veterinary care, this is a strong indicator that they can accompany you. A dog is often considered to be healthy enough to travel if they have regular energy levels, a healthy appetite, and no recent episodes of illness. Confirm this for your own dog by visiting the vet well ahead of the trip to assess whether they’re fit to travel and to rule out any hidden concerns that could complicate the journey.
Your Dog Is Familiar with Vehicle Travel
Has your dog already experienced shorter trips in a car or other forms of transport? If so, how did they handle it? Pets that are comfortable with vehicle travel and do not show signs of nausea, agitation, or excessive barking during shorter trips are better candidates for long-distance journeys.
Some pets may even enjoy being in the car, while others might need more time to adjust. If your pup frequently exhibits car sickness or anxiety, it’s a sign that they might struggle with longer journeys and perhaps a reminder to get them acclimatized to car travel first.
Your Dog Is Up to Date in Their Vaccinations
Travel may expose your dog to new environments where they could encounter other animals, insects, or diseases they’re not accustomed to. You never know when these could transmit illnesses or parasites to your pup.
Pets with complete vaccination records and up-to-date flea and tick prevention are better equipped to handle these new surroundings and are therefore better primed to enjoy and stay in good physical health at your destination.
Your Dog Is Well-Behaved Around Other Animals and People
When traveling, your dog may need to be around other animals and people, especially in public places like airports, rest stops, or hotels. Considering these situations, you’ll want your pet to stay well-behaved around strangers or other pets.
A dog’s ability to maintain composure in social settings will make the journey smoother and less stressful for both of you. Pets that tend to become reactive, anxious, or overly excited in these situations, on the other hand, might need more preparation before traveling long distances.
How Do You Ensure That Your Dog Is Ready for Long-Distance Travel?
Even given signs like the ones enumerated above, it’s not enough to simply make a judgment about whether your dog is ready to travel with you or not. You need to take every step to ensure that your dog will have an easy time adjusting to the experience of being away from home for an extended time.
First, it’s a must to visit the vet to confirm that your pet is healthy enough to take the strain that traveling will inevitably result in. Your vet should also determine whether your pet is up-to-date on their vaccinations, as well as provide additional tips for managing your pet’s health throughout the journey.
Second, start crate training long before you have to go on your journey together. Begin the process by allowing your dog to spend short amounts of time in the crate at home, then gradually increase the duration of each session until they feel comfortable. You can also make the crate more inviting by placing their favorite toys or blankets inside.
It’s also a good idea to acclimatize your dog to the type of travel you’ll be doing. For example, if you’re planning a road trip, take your pup on shorter car rides beforehand to help them get used to being in the vehicle.
Gradually exposing them to the experience will allow them to adapt without becoming overwhelmed. Similarly, if you’re taking a plane, try to simulate the experience by placing your pet in their carrier for extended periods or visiting airports beforehand to help familiarize them with their surroundings.
Final Word
There’s a lot you can do to ensure a smooth and stress-free long-distance trip for both you and your dog, and it all starts with a judgment call on whether they’re ready to or not. Read the signs and make the necessary decisions for your dog’s overall comfort and safety.
