No pet owner likes to leave their beloved member of the
family at home when traveling over a holiday. With a little preplanning, a road
trip with your cat or dog won't turn into a stressed-out disaster for either
one of you. Check out these tips from our team at Sheehy Nissan Glen Burnie to ensure a safe, comfortable holiday road trip for all.
Holiday road trip comfort and pet safety
Always “test drive” your pet before embarking on a long road
trip to test their tolerance level. If your vehicle is equipped with a pet
barrier, be sure to use it. You don't want your animal roaming around the
inside of the car and possibly causing an accident.
While not all dogs need to be confined to an
appropriately-sized travel crate, all cats do. Pet safety is one consideration,
but it's also a fact that cats are less stressed when they feel protected
inside a carrier.
Bring along your dog's bed for added comfort. Your cat will
be satisfied with a piece of soft clothing that you've worn lately and has your
scent placed inside the crate.
Keep your pet occupied during the road trip
Pack their favorite toys and a few snacks. A quality chew
toy will keep most dogs occupied for a long time. Along with old favorites, buy
a new toy for added interest.
Cats that don't really like to travel in cars can be harder
to keep occupied. If they like catnip, make sure they have a fresh catnip toy.
For cats that really do hate to ride in cars and tell you so by crying for
hours at a time, speak with your vet about using an herbal calming tincture
that will safely calm them and promote sleep.
Make regular road trip rest stops
Your pet needs breaks on a long holiday road trip just as
you do. To prevent any "accidents" inside your car, try to stop at
least every two hours. Inside cats can be placed on a familiar harness and
leash (train your cat before you leave home) to use the portable litter box you
brought along.
Have your dog’s leash handy at all times. Should there be
other dogs at the rest stop, and they appear friendly to each other, let them
romp in a grassy area away from the parking lot. If not, stretch your legs with
a 20 minute walk. This effort is an especially good investment for hyperactive
dogs with a lot of energy.
Comfort your pet through communication
Just as you talk to your dog or cat when you're at home,
keep the conversation going when you're in the car on a long holiday road trip.
Animals find the voice of their owner soothing. Let other family members take a
turn chatting away as well. Use your dog's name to get his attention and keep
repeating it throughout the road trip so that he knows you're talking to him.
Stay overnight at a pet-friendly motel
Your cat or dog will feel insecure because they are away
from their home, but if you find a motel with pet friendly accommodations, this
will help relieve a little of the stress. Playtime is important for relaxation
and to promote a good night's sleep. Pet-friendly motels that attract dog
owners usually have a play area where dogs can interact with each other and
release pent-up frustration.
On the other hand, most cats appreciate a little playtime
with familiar toys inside the room and will be content to inspect the room
while being outside of their travel cage.
Ensuring pet comfort on a holiday road trip isn't as hard as
you might think if you anticipate their needs before leaving home.
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