They say trips are better when everyone you love can come. This includes your family dog or cat. However, your four-legged family member might not be that excited with the 4-hour drive to the woods. If you think bringing a toddler is stressful, wait until you are trying to calm down a 65-pound labrador in the middle of the highway. With careful planning and some preparation, you can make the trip easier and more comfortable for your pets. Here are our top tips to make traveling with your pet a fun and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Top Tips for Traveling With Your Pet

Make sure your pet is used to traveling with you in your car. Traveling is a new experience for pets so you should make sure you take them to short trips so they get used to the feeling of being in a closed space for a certain time.

• Lengthen the trip every now and then and check if they show visible signs of discomfort.
• If you are planning to put your pet in a crate or carrier during the trip, get them used to the feeling by “practicing” it with them. You can do this in your home or during your short trips. Some pets, while fine with sitting at the back seat, feel uneasy when put in a crate so you should either train them or adjust.
• Resist the urge to feed your pet while inside a running car. You can give them a light meal 3-4 hours before you roll out. Just make sure you feed them right after you arrive at your destination.
• Don’t ever leave your pet in a parked car. Even with the windows down, the heat can still reach dangerous levels on a hot day. In winter, your car can turn into a refrigerator that traps the cold in which can be deadly for your pet.
• If you’ve seen a movie or two about people traveling with pets you’d probably be excited to have your dog stretch its neck out the window. While this looks like the ultimate road trip experience for your dog, he/she might be hit with flying objects. If your pet is sitting in the backseat make sure you secure him/her with a harness tied to the seat buckle.
• Bring your own water for your pet is necessary when traveling. This ensures your pet won’t be drinking contaminated water which can cause stomach problems.
• Prepare your pet traveling kit ahead of time. It should include food, leash, bowl, plastic bags, waste scoops, first-aid kit and medication, toys, and grooming supplies. It will also be best to bring your pet’s vaccination records in case you are required to show it when crossing state lines.
• If you feel like you will be traveling with your pet often, you might want to look into buying rubberized floor liners or waterproof covers for your back seat. This helps you in cleaning up accidents that can happen during longer trips.

T3 Atlanta Can Help Make Traveling With Your Pet a Breeze

If you are planning on a trip with your pet, take your car to T3 Atlanta to make sure your car is in tip-top shape. We can also install safety items in your cars that are specific to pets like restraints, seats, and carriers. You can also visit our shop after your trip to make sure nothing untoward has happened to your vehicle. Visit us today!