I often travel with my pets and even my cat loves coming on vacation with us when he is able. I’ve learned over time to have the basic essentials on hand. However it always seems like the pet suitcases are bigger than the human ones!
First, a few initial thoughts on traveling with your pet. Your pet MUST be safe in the car and that usually means they need to be in a crate, a hatch back with a secure grate, or attached to a seatbelt. It is a hazard for them, you, and other drivers to have them loose in the car or hanging out the window. Your pet must be calm as possible – an anxious pet on a long trip is bad for your stress while driving and is hard for their bodies and minds. There are many calming aids that can help naturally.
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Essentials:
- Pet ID on their collar or harness
- Use a crate in the car or use a pet safety belt to strap them in
- Have enough of their own food and water or know where to get it locally
- Plenty of waste-disposal bags and paper towels
- Cat litter and a (disposable) box
- Natural insect repellent
- Phone numbers for local emergency clinics and Pet Poison Hotline
How to simplify travel:
- Use paper plates or bowls when it’s not easy to wash a food bowl
- Have an extra leash and possibly a longer lead +/- a tie out
- A pen +/- fabric to shade the top
- Treats & a favorite toy
- Extra water on day trips
- A self-warming blanket for cold nights
- Uncooked rice, canned pumpkin, and/or apple sauce for pets with sensitive stomachs
To learn more about basic First Aid for pets including instructional videos on various topics of pet health, check out these mini-courses on pet heath or sign up for the PetWise Membership.