๐ง๐ฅ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐ช๐๐ง๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ง๐ฆ
We are not addressing travelling by air as you will have to seek specialised advice from your Veterinarian, the State Veterinarian in your area and the airlines as to requirements.
๐๐๐ช๐๐ฌ๐ฆ ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ฅ ๐ง๐ข ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ฅ ๐ฉ๐๐ง
There are cats and dogs which do travel well in cars, but for those who donโt our shops do supply calming products.
๐ฆ๐ฎ๐ณ๐ฒ๐๐ ๐ณ๐ถ๐ฟ๐๐ ๐ถ๐ ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐น
- Always carry a First Aid Kit for animals.
- Check that vaccinations are up-to-date and consider a rabies vaccination even if not required.
- Ensure that your pet has a collar and ID tag AND is microchipped and that the details are up-to-date.
- Carry a notice in your purse/wallet and also stuck to a window of the vehicle in which you are travelling advising that there are pets with you, how many and type.
- On your cellphone/s have the same information plus their descriptions and contact details of someone you can trust as well as your vet; store this in contacts as ICE โ PETS IN VEHICLE.
- Ensure that pet carriers are secured as well as closed properly.
- The safest place in the car for the pet carrier is the back seat or on the floor behind the front passenger seat.
- Ensure that your pets have pet safety harnesses and that they are secured.
- Letting your dog or even your cat travel with their heads out the window puts them at high risk of being injured by a stone being flicked up by another vehicle. Even collision with an insect can cause injury.
- Never put an animal in the back of an open vehicle when travelling even though this brings endless joy to many dogs; it can also bring tragedy. (This also applies to birds and other caged pets.)
๐ข๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐น๐
Bedding; Bowl food; Bowl water; Water; Car seat cover; Health records; Leash; Litter box and litter (for cats); Medication (if any); Old towel; Pet-friendly insect repellent; Poo bags; Toys; Treats; Wet wipes.
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- Plan trips and pit stops to accommodate your pets and try to ensure that they have their meals at the normal time.
- Take into account that you must not leave your pets in vehicles which can and do turn into ovens very quickly even in the shade.
- Attend to your petโs needs before yours at pit stops.
- Keep the vehicle cool and use your aircon at moderate temperature.
- Keep windows closed at all times.
- Pet carrier must be roomy.
- Ensure that pets have been taught not to run around the vehicle particularly around the driver and foot pedals.
- Before opening a door keep your eyes on your pets and ensure that he/she does not try to dive out.
- Only allow pets out of the vehicle under your control on the lead and harness.
๐ข๐๐ต๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐๐๐ฒ๐ณ๐๐น ๐๐ถ๐ฝ๐
- A month before your journey, place the open carrier near your petโs favourite sleeping spot and put a cosy blanket and even one of your old T-shirts inside (cats are scent orientated) and feed treats in the pet carrier. Catnip can distract and help a cat relax.
- As most car seats slope backward create a level surface for the pet carrier to rest on, roll up a towel and place it under the back edge of the carrier.
- Donโt use scented air fresheners in the car as this will overpower an animalโs sensitive nose.
- Drive smoothly, no sudden breaking (unless unavoidable) or sharp high speed turns.
- Play calm music to help your pets relax.
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This article is produced by SAVetshops, in the interest of informing people and sharing information. It is not considered a reference article or a definitive medical reference. Source references are listed below and any person wishing to know more should consult these references, their local vet, state health service or doctor.
๐ช๐๐ง๐ ๐ง๐๐๐ก๐๐ฆ ๐ง๐ข ๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ข๐๐๐ข๐ช๐๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐จ๐ฅ๐๐๐ฆ:
Suzuki https://blog.suzukiauto.co.za/blog/10-tips-for-a-pet-friendly-road-trip
Sunset https://www.sunset.com/travel/road-trips/road-trip-dog-cat-gear
PetMD Editorial, Deanna deBara https://www.petmd.com/dog/care/essential-checklist-road-trip-dogs
VCA Animal Hospitals, Tammy Hunter, DVM; Robin Downing, DVM, CVPP, CCRP, DAAPM https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/road-trips-and-car-travel-with-your-cat
Two Outliers https://twooutliers.com/taking-a-cat-on-a-road-trip/
