Taking car trips with pets is sometimes necessary, and if your pet doesn’t love riding in the car, it can be very stressful for both the pet and their human family. Here are some travel trips for making the long (or short!) haul with your beloved furball easier on everybody.
General
- Start them early: The unfamiliar frightens most pets, and the best time to help them through that is when they are young. As soon as you bring your puppy or kitten home, start taking them for short daily car rides to get them used to the sound, smell, and feel of the car. Have an older pet? No problem! Older animals can adjust just as well; it simply takes them longer, and you’ll need to start with shorter rides or even just sitting in the parked car with them.
- Skip the music: Different pets like different sounds. If you play a lot of music at home, odds are they’ll “like” what you do, simply because they’re used to it. For many pets, however, a quiet car or soft classical music is best. There are also sound products you can purchase that are designed to be soothing to a pet. Experiment to see what your pet seems to like best.
- Give them breaks: Long car rides are exhausting. When driving with a pet, plan your trip so you have time to stop every 2-3 hours to let them stretch their legs. Take dogs out at rest stops (ALWAYSon a leash!). Park the car, lock the doors and allow cats out of their carriers to roam the car for ten minutes. This is a good time to offer them water and a litter box as well. Do not ever open the car doors when a cat is out of his or her carrier! The risk of them bolting and being killed on the highway is very, very high.
- Break it up: If possible, stop overnight on the way to your destination. If your drive is going to be longer than 8 hours, it is worth doing over several days. Many hotels will take pets; check along your route and call ahead for reservations. An overnight break will be good for your pets and for you, too!
- Keep good records: Bring a copy of your pet’s most recent vaccine history and any pertinent medical records with you. If your pet is on medication, bring it with you in the original bottle it was prescribed in. If something happens and you need to take your pet to a veterinarian who has never seen you before, this will help her provide the best possible care for your furry companion.
- Take it easy: Speed up, slow down, and turn gently and slowly. As much as possible, avoid making sharp turns, “jackrabbit” starts, or slamming on your brakes.
- Better living through chemistry: If your pet is a basket case even after being trained to the car, discuss sedatives for travel with your veterinarian.
Cats
- Start leaving the carrier out a week before you take your cat in the car. Take the door off, put a soft blanket in the carrier, and let the cat go in and out at will. If possible, leave the carrier out all the time, so it is just another piece of furniture to them. The more familiar the carrier is, the less frightening it will be.
- If possible, arrange the carrier so it faces the front of the car instead of sitting sideways. Remember to belt the carrier in so it cannot fall if you have to make a sharp turn or slam on your breaks.
- Place a towel on the seat under the carrier so the carrier sits level instead of tilting backwards.
- Warm the car up if it is cold outside. Cats hate cold cars.
- Use a pheromone-based calming spray like Feliway in the carrier and on the seats.
- When putting your cat in the carrier, do not force them in. Fighting with them will raise their stress levels before they even get near the car. If you cat does not like going into the carrier face-first, load them backwards; or, take the lid off, put them inside, and then put the lid back on.
- Never drive with a cat that is loose in the car. It is dangerous both for you and for the cat.
Dogs
- Keep small dogs in appropriately sized carriers. Larger dogs should ride wearing harnesses and seat belts. Dogs should always ride in the back seat.
- If you can, have a bowl of water out in the car that the dog can reach at all times. If this is not possible, then offer water to your dog every 2-3 hours when you stop for breaks. Some dogs will not drink while in the car; other dogs insist on being in the car before they will drink, or want you to hold the bowl for them. Experiment and see what method works best for your dog.
- Keep an extra leash and collar in the car in case one breaks. Carry poop bags with you, too!
- Make sure your dog’s ID and vaccination tags are securely attached to the collar and can be read easily. If they are getting worn to the point they cannot easily be read, replace them prior to your trip. If your dog has a microchip, keep a copy of their microchip paperwork and/or a copy of the microchip number with you.
- If you are traveling with a puppy, plan extra stops—at least once every 1-2 hours—to offer them bathroom breaks. Be sure to make the breaks at least ten minutes long. Puppies are easily distracted, and may not “go” right away if they are in a new place.