In case you are planning summer travel with your pets, here are some tips I hope will help.

1.    Get Your Pet a Wellness Check Before You Leave

Let us know if you plan to take your pet on a trip. We can ensure your pet has a clean bill of health. Your pet may need extra vaccinations or health certificates to travel, depending on your destination. Make sure you go over this with us. And while you are here, ensure your pet’s microchip (see point 2 below) is working.

2.    Microchip and Register Your Pet

If you have not gotten your pet microchipped and registered, get this done before your trip. It takes very little time to get done, and it is worth it to save you and your pet the heartache should your pet get away from you while you are traveling. Additionally, have your pet wear a collar and name tag with your cell phone number. 

3.    Check for Local Veterinarians

Before you leave town, check out your destination for emergency veterinarians to see if they will treat your pet during your travels if the need arises.

4.    Keep Your Pet Secure While Traveling

According to a AAA survey, over 80 percent of drivers admit that they recognize the dangers of driving with an unrestrained pet, but only 16 percent use pet restraints.

If a car crashes at just 25mph, an unrestrained dog can be projected forward at a force equal to 40 times its weight. A large-size dog weighing 75 lbs., for example, can achieve an impact force of 3,000 pounds in a car crash, which could be a lethal blow for both a passenger and the pet. 

If traveling in a car, put your pet in a safety restraint or carrier secured to the seat with the seat belt. For example, dog restraints use the vehicle’s built-in lower anchor and tethers for children (LATCH) systems. These are found only in the second and third rows of cars. Cats need to be in a carrier placed on the back seat and secured with the seat belt.

Don’t travel with your pet in the front seat; they can be a distraction to your driving. Also, if an airbag deploys while your pet is in the passenger seat it could injure or kill.

5.    Never Leave Your Pet in the Car Alone!

It is extremely important to not leave your pet alone in the car, even for a brief pit stop. The temperature in a car can heat up rapidly. For example, on an 85-degree day, even with the windows opened, your car can reach 102 degrees in just 10 minutes. So, take your pet with you.

If you are driving and need to stop for food, you can visit drive-through restaurants and take your food to a park, or a rest stop where you and your pet can enjoy your meal together (keeping your pet on a leash of course). You can also search the web before your trip for pet-friendly restaurants.

6.    Always Keep Your Pet on a Leash or Harness or in a Crate or Carrier

We don’t want to see any of our pet parents suffer the heartbreak of losing their pet while on vacation. Even if your pet is well-behaved, keep them on a leash or harness if you take them out of the car. A leash can protect them from traffic and other animals.

Cats can be a bit trickier. Even if you don’t take your cat on walks with a harness and leash as a routine, it is best to train them to wear one if you travel with your cat. If harness and leash training isn’t possible, always keep your cat in the car until you reach your destination. 

7.    Give Your Pet Rest Stops

Plan frequent rest stops so your pet can get out of the car to exercise and eliminate. As mentioned above, if you have a cat, don’t let it out of the vehicle if it is not on a leash. You can give them breaks in the car to use the litter box, drink water, etc. as long as you leave the windows up and doors shut so they cannot escape. Make sure to bring a litter tray with disposable tray liners and litter.

8.    Pack Enough Food and Water for Your Pet

Pets do best when kept on the same diet. Grocery stores along your route may not carry your pet’s brand. So, better to make sure you take enough food for your whole trip and take enough water. Also, don’t forget to pack food and water bowls.

9.    Avoid Car Sickness

If your dog or cat experiences motion sickness from the car, you can help them by taking steps ahead of the trip.

Start by taking short trips with your pet to get them used to travel. Use positive reinforcement to help them become less anxious about traveling in the car. You can even break it down to as easy as bringing them into the car, turning on the engine, and then getting them out of it and giving them a treat until you can build up to short trips. Familiarity with travel may help prevent car sickness.

There is also anti-nausea medication for pets. For example, Cerenia® is a veterinary nausea medication for pets. If you think your pet may need anti-nausea medicines, ask us during your wellness visit before your trip.

10. Take a Pet First Aid Kit

You can never be too prepared. It is good to have a first aid kit, any medications they might need, and anything else you can think of that you might need in a pinch. Here is a list of items to help put together your emergency or first aid kit:

• Emergency Contact Card: phone numbers for your veterinarian, a 24-hour emergency clinic and Animal Poison Control Center which is: (855) 764-7661 (a $75 incident fee does apply, but it can be the difference between life and death). 
• Blunt-tipped scissors
• Bandages
• Sterile Eye Solution
• Latex or rubber gloves
• Plastic syringe for administering medications
• Medications for your pet
• Tweezers
• Styptic Powder: Styptic powder is used to stop mild bleeding, particularly if a nail has been broken or cut too close to the quick. Miracle Care Kwik-Stop styptic powder for dogs, cats and birds includes benzocaine, which helps ease pain.
• Digital Thermometer
• Calming chews or treats.

Final Words

These ten travel tips will help you safely take your pet wherever you go. If you want to take a trip but leave your pet at home, we can help there too!

Pet Boarding in College Station, Texas

We offer a convenient solution by providing pet boarding in our safe, clean, and comfortable environment.

Our professional and friendly staff takes great care of our pet guests. We understand that each pet is unique, and we will make every effort to ensure that your pet is safe, happy, and healthy during his or her stay. We’ll treat your pet with compassion and care and provide individualized tender loving care until you return.

We hope that you and your pets have a great rest of summer.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kim Stewart
College Hills Veterinary Hospital