How to Travel Safely with Your Pet

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When deciding to travel with your dog or cat, choose the mode of transport that will be safe and comfortable for your pet. Turning to the behaviorists, we have collected recommendations on how to make life easier during the trip for both people and their favorites.

By car.

The main rule of travel for pets by car is that they should not walk freely around the interior of the car. The safest way to travel an animal in a car is a special carrier (at worst — a box), attached to the car body with seat belts. In the event of an accident or sudden maneuvers of the car, carrying will prevent the pet from flying out the window or to get under the brake pedal when the car needs to be stopped urgently.

The pet carrier must be secured to the vehicle in such a way that it does not bounce, as this could injure the pet inside the carrier. Attach the pet carrier in the back seat or trunk of your car. If the airbag is deployed when your pet is in the passenger seat (even in a crate), then it could injure him.

For short distances, pets are generally not placed in a carrier or crate. In this case, there must be a second person in the passenger compartment who can hold the animal in his arms. During a trip by car, dogs and cats stick their heads out the window — this is absolutely not allowed to do this! Pets can be injured by particles flying from under the wheels of other vehicles, or they can get sick from cold air entering their lungs. 

During a car trip, stop every 45 minutes to give your pet a rest — to run and to relieve natural needs. If you stay in an unfamiliar area, a collar with an identification tag should be worn around the pet's neck, on which your contact information should be.

By plane.

Traveling by air can be hazardous to pets. Before deciding to travel with your four-legged pet on an airplane, it is recommended to weigh the pros and cons of such an undertaking. 

Traveling by plane can be especially dangerous for brachiocephalic animals — these are animal breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats. Their short nasal passages make them vulnerable to oxygen starvation and heatstroke. 

But if life circumstances force you to travel by plane with your pet, then it must have a carrier with holes for ventilation and fastenings. Find out at the office of the airline that you are going to use if your pet can be with you in the passenger cabin — it depends on the size of your pet.

On long-distance flights, wear a collar on your pet that will not snag on the carrier doors. Attach two IDs to the collar: 1) a permanent ID with your name, home address and telephone number, and 2) a temporary ID with an address and phone number of a contact person.

By boat.

Pets are not allowed on ships other than guide dogs, except on ocean liners that have kennels on board. Before traveling, call the company whose services you are going to entrust your pet to in order to find out the travel conditions for the animals.

By train 

You can travel by train with pets only of medium-sized and non-fighting breeds. It is recommended to travel in a compartment. At the stops, go to the platform to walk with your pet. Before traveling, also call the company office to inquire about travel conditions.

General recommendations:

1. If your pet is not supposed to be obligatory in the place where you are going for a while, it is recommended to leave it in the same place under the supervision of a nanny or in a boarding nursery.
2. Make sure your pet's nails are trimmed so that they do not snag on the carrier door, holes, or other crevices in the vehicle. A month before the intended trip, train your pet to carry it — this will minimize the stress of encountering new circumstances. Before traveling, consult your veterinarian, he may prescribe tranquilizers for your pet. Do not feed your pet four to six hours before the trip, but allow him to drink water freely. During the ride, place the ice cubes in the water tray attached to the inside of your pet's cage or aviary. 
3. The pet owner must have a helper. With whom he will be able to share the responsibilities of caring for the pet during the trip. In case if in many countries, pets should not be left alone near store doors or in vehicle interiors without human supervision.
4. Carry a fresh digital and paper photograph of your pet with you. If your pet gets lost, photos will help search engines find it quickly.
5. Upon arrival at your destination, open the carrier as soon as possible and inspect the pet. If he is injured, see your veterinarian immediately.