Whether it be a short ride to the vet clinic or a road trip down the coast, there is almost always something about co-piloting with a dog or cat that will surprise you. So, to make the most of your travel adventures, or to just get where you need to go, it’s good to be prepared for the things you can anticipate.

Know before you go

First things first, decide if this is the right trip for your dog or cat to accompany you on. While you may miss them, they might actually be happier at home or with a sitter if it’s not a good fit.

If you’ve already experienced travel-related challenges, help yourself and your companion by getting ahead of them. Does your cat have panic attacks in the car? A low-dose anti-anxiety med (prescribed by a vet) can be administered before the trip. Does your dog get carsick? Keep some extra towels and baby wipes on hand so they don’t have to sit in vomit for the whole ride (and you don’t have to smell it). 

Remember to pack the right amounts of food, treats, and any medications you may need while traveling. It’s not always easy to find the supplies your dog or cat is used to when away, and keeping up diets and routines can be reassuring for dogs and cats, and is sometimes medically necessary. 

If you’re planning to take an extended trip, even for more than just a day, it’s a good idea to get a sense of the veterinary resources in the area where you’re going.

Flying is not the best option

Recognizing that it is sometimes absolutely necessary, commercial airline travel with your dog or cat should be avoided whenever possible. We still don’t have enough data to understand exactly how animals are impacted when in the air, but the infrastructure for safe, stress-free flying just doesn’t yet exist.

The need for better alternatives to kennels in the cargo hold is not falling on deaf ears; one study showed that nearly half of respondents’ dogs who took to the friendly skies did so in the cabin, and airports have definitely stepped up their game when it comes to providing “pet relief” areas.

Still, trains and cars allow for more flexibility and more options for you and your companion(s) in the event of a travel emergency.

What to do when “on the road” with a furry friend?

Just as you make sure you and your family members are buckled in, seatbelts, harnesses, and crash-tested crates are important safety measures to consider. 

And, remembering to factor in potty and drink breaks to your travel plan will make things go a lot more smoothly. 

It’s also just as important to ensure your dog or cat’s comfort once you reach your destination. Allow them some time to adjust to being in a different setting before leaving them alone if you plan to. If you do head out without them, be sure to identify a secure place for them to stay if leaving them in an unfamiliar environment.

Finally, if traveling with or visiting others who may not know your dog or cat as well as you do, don’t be shy about advocating for your animal’s needs. Not everyone understands them.

New environments can provide learning opportunities 

Part of the fun of traveling with dogs and cats is embarking on adventures (perhaps you’re relocating!), making memories, and sharing experiences together with them. New environments can be great places to explore new vocabulary with your buttons, too.

Teaching and practicing on the road helps keep up a routine while away from home, which can be advantageous for your learner. It also gives them something to focus on and potentially express new feelings that might not crop up at home. 

Plus, a new environment might call for additional buttons to express new surroundings. Perhaps, for example, a BEACH button for the summer!

Biogliography:

Courtney Sexton is a Postdoctoral research scientist at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine and has a PhD in Evolutionary Anthropology and Comparative Animal Behavior from The George Washington University.

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