Best 6 Must-Know Hacks for Calming Your Pet During Travel

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Introduction:

Traveling with your pet can be an exciting adventure, filled with the joy of sharing new experiences with your furry companion. However, it can also be a source of stress and anxiety for both you and your pet if not properly managed. The secret to a successful and enjoyable journey lies in ensuring your pet remains calm and comfortable throughout the trip. 

By implementing a few strategic hacks and taking the time to prepare, you can transform travel from a daunting task into a delightful experience. These expert tips will help you navigate the challenges of pet travel with ease, ensuring that your pet stays relaxed and happy, whether you’re embarking on a road trip, flying across the country, or simply visiting the vet.

1.Acclimate Your Pet to Travel

One of the best ways to reduce travel anxiety in pets is to acclimate them to the travel environment gradually. Here’s how you can do it:

🐕‍🦺Short Trips: Start with short car rides or brief visits to the carrier. Gradually increase the duration as your pet becomes more comfortable.

🐕‍Positive Reinforcement: Reward your pet with treats, praise, and affection during and after these mini-travel sessions. This will help them associate travel with positive experiences.

🐕‍Familiarization: Allow your pet to explore the carrier or car while it’s stationary. This helps them get used to the smells and surroundings.

2.Create a Comforting Space

Your pet’s travel environment should be as comfortable and familiar as possible. Consider these hacks:

🐕‍Favorite Items: Bring along your pet’s favorite blanket, toy, or bed. Familiar scents can provide comfort and reduce anxiety.

🐕‍Comfortable Carrier: Ensure the carrier is well-ventilated, appropriately sized, and padded. Place a soft blanket or towel inside for added comfort.

🐕‍Calming Scents: Use pet-safe calming sprays or diffusers with pheromones that mimic natural comforting scents. These can help soothe your pet’s nerves.

3.Maintain a Routine

Pets thrive on routine, and maintaining their daily schedule as much as possible can help keep them calm:

🐕‍Feeding Schedule: Stick to your pet’s regular feeding times. Avoid feeding them a large meal right before travel to prevent motion sickness.

🐕‍Exercise: Ensure your pet gets plenty of exercise before the trip. A tired pet is more likely to rest and relax during travel.

🐕‍Breaks: Plan for regular breaks during long journeys. This allows your pet to stretch, relieve themselves, and burn off some energy.

Best 6 Must-Know Hacks for Calming Your Pet During Travel

4.Use Calming Aids:

Several products are available to help calm anxious pets during travel:

🐕‍Calming Supplements: Natural supplements containing ingredients like chamomile, valerian root, and L-theanine can help reduce anxiety.

🐕‍Calming Collars: These collars release pheromones that have a calming effect on pets.

🐕‍Prescription Medications: For pets with severe anxiety, consult your vet about possible prescription medications to help them relax.

5.Stay Calm and Confident:

Pets often pick up on their owner’s emotions. Staying calm and confident can help reassure your pet:

🐕‍Soothing Voice: Speak to your pet in a calm, soothing voice. Avoid raising your voice or showing signs of stress.

🐕‍Comforting Touch: Gently pet and reassure your pet if they seem anxious. Your touch can provide a sense of security.

🐕‍Relaxing Music: Play soft, calming music in the background. Studies have shown that music can help reduce anxiety in pets.

6.Plan Ahead:

Proper planning can make all the difference in ensuring a smooth and stress-free journey for your pet:

🐕‍Research Pet-Friendly Options: Choose pet-friendly accommodations, airlines, and rest stops. Knowing that your pet is welcome can reduce your stress and theirs.

🐕‍Health Check: Schedule a vet visit before your trip to ensure your pet is healthy and fit for travel. Discuss any concerns and get advice on managing travel anxiety.

🐕‍Emergency Kit: Pack a pet travel emergency kit with essentials like water, food, a first-aid kit, and any necessary medications.

Best 6 Must-Know Hacks for Calming Your Pet During Travel

Expert Reviews:

For instance, according to VCA Animal Hospitals Dog Behavior and Training: Air and Car Travel By Ellen Lindell, VMD, DACVB; Monique Feyrecilde, BA, LVT, VTS (Behavior); Debra Horwitz, DVM, DACVB & Gary Landsberg, DVM, DACVB, DECAWBM  “Whether you travel with your dog daily or you would like to enjoy your dog’s company when you go on holiday or visit friends and family, there are some preparations needed for their safety and emotional well-being.”

“It is also helpful to have a plan for those situations in which your dog cannot join you, such as a pet sitter or boarding kennel. In most cases, some type of confinement is needed for at least a portion of the trip. For general information on confinement training, see the handout “Life Skills for Pets: Crate Training and Confinement for Puppies and Dogs”.

Why is confinement training necessary before travel?

“All commercial airline carriers require pet dogs to remain in crates during the flight, while waiting to board, and while moving about the airport. Service dogs may be exempt for all or part of the trip.”

“When traveling in a car, your dog should be secured by a crate or a seat belt and harness – for your own safety as well as your dog’s. If your dog is not secured, they could move around and  interfere with the driver’s vision or movement. Also, if your car window malfunctions or if your car door opens, an unsecured dog could escape from the vehicle and run away or be struck by a car.”

“By training your dog to remain relaxed and comfortable when confined, you ensure your dog can relax, regardless of the duration of the trip.” To finish reading this article click on this link.

Conclusion:

Traveling with your pet doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. By implementing these must-know hacks, you can create a calming and comfortable environment that ensures your furry friend feels safe and secure throughout the journey. From acclimating your pet to travel and maintaining familiar routines, to using calming aids and planning ahead, each strategy plays a crucial role in reducing anxiety and enhancing comfort. 

Remember, a relaxed pet makes for a more enjoyable trip for everyone involved. With a little preparation and the right techniques, you can turn what might seem like a daunting task into a smooth, stress-free adventure, making every journey with your pet a joyful and memorable experience.

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