1st Care Vets

Traveling with Pets

The holidays are a time when we want to celebrate with friends and family, and this often includes travel, whether it’s an hour car ride or a plane trip across the country. If your plans include your cat or dog, it’s important to remember that travel can be stressful for our furry friends. The goal should always be to reduce stress and to create a positive experience.

Keep in mind that not all pets are candidates for travel. For some pets, staying at home with a petsitter might be the best option. For those cats and dogs more open to adventure, keep the following suggestions in mind:

• Bring out your pet’s carrier a few weeks ahead of time so that she can get used to seeing it. You can place soft bedding, toys, and treats in it to create a positive association. Some people find it helpful to feed their pet near the carrier.
• Consider buying a few different kinds of calming treats to see which kind your pet prefers. It’s always good to know this before the actual day of travel. As the trip approaches, give the treats according to label directions.
• For anxious dogs, a calming vest, such as the ThunderShirt, can be helpful. It’s important for the vest to be snug, so you may want to bring your dog into your favorite pet supply store so that you purchase the appropriate size.
• For both dogs and cats, a calming collar may be a good option. These typically have pheromones that help settle the nerves.
• A great product for cats is Feliway, which is a synthetic pheromone that reduces travel stress. About 15 minutes before placing the cat in her carrier, spray Feliway inside the carrier and/or on bedding. Many people find this dramatically helps reduce stress when their cats travel.
• Other calming remedies, such as Rescue Remedy, can be added to your pet’s drinking water. Check with your favorite pet supply store to find out what they carry. Typically, these products contain either flower essences or homeopathic remedies.

Depending on your pet, you may find that one or several of the above options will take the edge off of travel anxiety. Plan ahead and have a safe trip!