The holidays are finally here, and that means some of us would have to do some travelling to get to our loved ones to spend time and celebrate together. And with that, our pets need to travel with us, because they are family too.

Travelling with your dog or cat can be pretty tricky. This is because they are about to be exposed to busy and new environments where they may get pretty excited and hard to manage. Meanwhile, other pets might be scared or anxious instead of feeling excited.

For some pets who can’t travel, we’re fortunate to have paw resorts in Brandon that could accommodate our furry loved ones while we’re away. But, if travelling with your pet is the better idea, here are some tips you need to know to have a stress-free trip and keep your pets happy during your journey.

Pre-travel ritual

Before travelling, make sure that your pet is prepared for pet travel by doing some trial runs and trip procedures. Most dogs have never been to an airport, train station, or a rest stop, and these places can get quite overwhelming, especially with the number of people in the area.

To deal with this, practice exposing your dog to places with an ambience or environment that might be scary for your dog. This way, they’ll learn to trust their surroundings and listen to your demands more. You can do this by enrolling your pet in doggie daycare so that they can quickly and efficiently learn basic commands before your trip.

Besides that, make sure your pet is familiar with basic commands, such as sit, stay, come, and off, and train them to relax in their crate or carriers.

Car travel

Most dogs get anxious during a long car ride, and for this reason, it’s best to distract your pet and give them behavioural supplements to keep them busy during the trip.

If your dog is under 15 pounds, it’s best to place them in a carrier or crate, while much larger dogs should use a seatbelt harness. This way, you’ll be able to keep your pets and other people in the car safe during the long journey.

Air travel

If you are flying to a destination for the holidays, it may be best to fly on a pet-friendly airline. These flights will allow your dog to fly in the cabin with you and be placed in an airline-approved carrier.

Before flying with your dog, make sure that you call and inform the airline to get the size and weight limits and get a pet reservation and seat ahead of time. 

Staying in hotels

Sometimes, travel may take a while, and you’ll need to spend the night somewhere before continuing your journey. If you need to do this, find a pet-friendly hotel where you can stay. These facilities usually offer ground-floor rooms for pet owners to easily take care of their pets while on the premises.

Conclusion

Going on holiday trips can be pretty exciting, but if you’re going to bring your pets with you, make sure you remember these tips to guarantee a safe and stress-free trip. So, if you’re going out of town soon, prepare your pets for travel by enrolling them in a doggie daycare and help them get travel-ready for this holiday season!

If you’re looking for a doggie daycare in your area, check out The Paw Resort & Wellness Centre. We are a family-owned, 7,000 square-foot facility in Brandon, Manitoba. We also offer excellent pet services that your furry loved ones will enjoy. Book your pet with us today!