A good number of pup parents consider their fur babies as the best travel companions they can ever have. Many canine companions are happy being with their owners and meeting new people, for one. For another, they won’t complain about the seating arrangements or the long hours of travel.
However, traveling with your pup requires some preparation. It’s a must to ensure that your accommodations and transportation options are pet-friendly. You also need to pack doggie essentials like pet food, treats, ruffwear dog apparel, a durable collar, and a leash so your pup remains healthy and well-behaved during the trip.
There are also a wide variety of dog collars, leashes and bandanas available on 4inbandana too, but sometimes it can be difficult to find something that truly reflects your dog’s personality. Luckily, there are many ways to customise these products to make them unique to your furry friend.
One way to customise a dog collar and bandana is to add charms or other decorations. This is a great way to show off your dog’s personality, and it can also be used to mark important occasions such as birthdays or holidays.
Besides the above-mentioned pet essentials, you can add other items to your pet travel checklist to make the experience more comfortable for you and your furry family member. If you’re looking to enhance your pup’s safety, health, and comfort while traveling, consider investing in these four things:
A Winter Dog Coat
Apart from aesthetics, pet apparel has practical purposes, too. During the winter season, for example, custom winter dog coats can help your pup enjoy the outdoors while reducing their chances of getting hypothermia.
Bringing dog coats is also ideal if your pet is traveling with you inside the airplane cabin. Should the temperature in the cabin drop to chilly levels, you’ll have something you can use to keep your pet warm. Wearing a dog coat will also prevent your pet from getting sick due to the cold temperatures in the cabin.
While it may not seem like much, being ready with a winter dog coat can go a long way in ensuring that your fur baby arrives at your destination in good health. After all, you wouldn’t want a veterinary clinic to be the first place you have to visit during your vacation.
A Pet Carrier or Crate
Whether you’ll bring your beloved pup with you into the cabin or check them in as cargo, you’ll need to keep them in a carrier or crate. Since every airline has a specific size and weight restriction regarding pets and their carriers or crates, it’s best to check with the company before booking your flight. As a general rule, the carrier or crate must be TSA-approved and have ample space to let your dog sit, stand, and turn around comfortably.
If you’ll be taking your dog with you to the airplane cabin, opt for a soft-sided carrier. These are constructed to be flexible and designed to easily slide under the seats. Look for carriers with features that can keep your pup comfortable during the flight, such as mesh panels for proper ventilation, roll-down privacy flaps, and zippers that allow for top and side entry.
For larger dogs that need to stay in cargo, hard-sided crates are best. As a rule of thumb, get a dog crate made from heavy-duty and high-impact plastic shells. That way, even if other luggage or bags hit the crate, the container won’t get damaged and the impact won’t hurt your precious pup. Also, look for a crate with durable wire doors and windows so your pet can have easy access to airflow. Lastly, try to get a crate with a leak-proof bottom that can collect and contain spills while your pup is in the cargo area.
A Dog Microchip
Having your pup wear a dog collar with an identification tag is a must if you plan on traveling with your fur baby. If your dog were to go missing during your travels, these items can help your dog’s finders get in touch with you. However, it’s also possible for your dog to lose their collar while they’re on the run. This isn’t going to be a problem if you microchip your pet.
Dog microchips are radio-frequency identification transponders with unique identification numbers. Once scanned by a vet or animal shelter, the microchip transmits the ID number showing the owner’s contact details. The microchip is about the size of a grain of rice and injected by a vet under the loose skin between your pup’s shoulder blades.
Microchipping your dog isn’t an invasive procedure and the pain is minimal, much like getting a vaccine. While the process may cost more than the typical dog collar and ID tag, microchipping your dog will be worth every cent if it means increasing the chances of being reunited with your precious pup.
Vaccines and Pre-Travel Checkups
Before your travel dates, make sure to bring your pup to the veterinarian for a checkup. While there, have all your dog’s vaccinations updated and take the records with you. This is because some airlines or countries may require you to present your pup’s health certifications upon arrival.
More importantly, check with your vet if your pup is fit to travel. For one, you’ll need to know if your pup has any health issues that may be exacerbated by travel. For another, some dogs feel anxious on board a car or plane, and your pup may exhibit similar behavior during your trip. Dropping by your local pet clinic gives you the chance to ask your veterinarian for tips on managing your pup’s health conditions and keeping your pup at ease while traveling.
An extra trip to the vet can take some time and money, but it’s always better to have your pet cleared for travel earlier rather than later.
Investing in these things can mean recalculating your travel budget and setting aside some extra money for your pet. However, having these tools means enhancing your dog’s comfort and safety while traveling. With these on hand, you and your animal companion can look forward to a comfy trip and alluring new sceneries in your destination.
