A whole family tour with kids and pets will be a lot more fun than travelling alone. If you go by drive, it will be more fun and you can easily meet the needs of your pets as well as your children. Kids too do not get bored. But certain degree of care has to be taken if you are travelling with your kids. Following are some tips to give a happy ending to how to travel with pets.

• First thing to consider is if your dog faces motion sickness do not feed the dog before a drive. If you are on a long drive then you can request your pet’s doctor to give certain medications that will prevent them from becoming car sick. They may even recommend mild sedatives to keep your dog calm on a drive.

• It is essential to meet the nature calls of your pet as per its regular timings. Have food packed readily.

• Never travel with pets seated in the front seat. It is essential to buckle them appropriately in the back seat just like you do with small kids. To be totally safe you can even use a barred cage to place your pet. This will prevent you from being distracted by thinking of pet’s safety. However, prefer this method only if your dog is well trained to be in the crate right from its childhood. Larger dogs if suddenly refrained will not tolerate and bark very badly making you irritated and disturbed.

• It is essential to attach some sort of identification to your pet if you are out on a long trip. Never neglect this, sometimes you may leave the leash unknowingly and your dog may just wander making it hard for you to trace.

• Some dogs cannot resist the engine sound of your car and get panic very easily. They start to bark out of control. In such cases it is essential to consult a physician and request for a medication to calm down these symptoms. It is essential to use the medicines well ahead before the start of the trip rather than waiting for the symptoms to develop.

• If you have to stay at a motel at nights then select the ones that allow pets. Avoid last minute reservations. Plan well ahead.

• Do not forget to have a spare leash with you. It would come in handy if you misplace one.

• Never leave the dog alone in the car with all the windows closed. Heat builds up in a stopped car. But if you plan to leave the windows open, strangers or kids may try to tease the dog that irritates or panics your dog. If you forget and leave the dog for a very long time it may even lead to the death of the dog due to excessive amount of heat.

• To prevent your dog from getting bored while you are on drive get some toys or yummy treats to engage your dog.

• One last suggestion is never plan for a long ride all at once. Train your pet slowly and once they are at ease, be on your way for a long trip.

Jonathan Pitts

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