How to Travel with a Dog? – Itsaboutdog

How to Travel with a Dog?

Summary

Traveling with your dog requires preparation. Start with a vet check-up to ensure your dog is healthy and has necessary vaccinations. For car travel, acclimate your dog with short rides, avoid feeding before travel, ensure good ventilation, and secure them with a crate or seatbelt. Take frequent potty breaks and never leave them alone in a closed car. Airlines and trains have specific rules regarding pet carriers, health certificates, and travel in designated areas; research these regulations beforehand. Using a comfortable, well-ventilated crate of the appropriate size is crucial for your dog’s safety and comfort during any journey.

How to Travel with a Dog? Why is it Difficult to Travel with a Dog?

The difficulty in traveling with your dogs depends on how your dog behaves in the car. Some dogs love a car ride, whereas others get scared in a moving vehicle.

Dogs get scared of cars because they feel stuck in a big moving box, and the continuous rotation of the vehicle makes them anxious, leading to the constant visit of a veterinarian to breed your dog. These things can make the trip unfortunate for both the owner and the dog.

Why is it Necessary to Take a Health Check-Up of Your Dog Before Traveling?

Suppose your dog is comfortable traveling with you; taking a health check-up before the outing is essential. It is important to visit a veterinarian before a trip to take the proper medication and identify if your dog is suffering from a disease.

If you do not get to a veterinarian before the trip, your dog might suffer from car diseases like vomiting, breathing issues, etc.

It is scientifically proven that diseased dogs are not preferable to go for an outing as it can affect the pet’s health to a greater extent. It is necessary to take your dog to a veterinarian before a tour.

Steps that You Should Follow While Traveling By Your Car

If you have decided to take your pet to your destination, go through the points discussed below to make your journey memorable and safe for your dog.

Traveling in a car with a pet has always been challenging for all dog owners. To make this journey more manageable, comfortable, and memorable for yourself and your pet, follow the below.

The steps to follow while traveling with your pet in a car are

  1. The owner should familiarize his dog with the car before the outing day by taking the pet for short rides daily.
  2. Let your dog travel on an empty stomach to avoid sickness in the car, like vomiting. Giving the pet the required amount of water during the journey is vital, as nervousness can make them thirstier.
  3. Always keep the car adequately ventilated and ensure that your dog is getting sufficient air to avoid suffocation of your dog in the car.
  4. Always tie your dog’s cage with the seat belt or carry a dog seat belt to protect your dog from falling in the car.
  5. If you are carrying your dog without any cage, prevent him from letting his head out of the window to avoid the tiny dust particles from getting trapped in your dog’s eyes.
  6. Always maintain a frequency of stopping the car to take your dog to a potty break to prevent your car from getting dirty.
  7. Never leave your pet alone in a closed car, as it can make them anxious and scared.

How to Travel with Your Dog on a Plane?

If your dog is comfortable traveling on a flight, you can take your dog on a plane. Carrying a pet carrier is essential to make your dog feel comfortable throughout the journey.

Some airlines also charge for your pet, and your dog’s weight is measured as per the regulations of the country of destination. It is also essential to take the proper documentation of your pet along with you.

Rules Imposed on Dog Owners on a Flight

If you have ever traveled with your pet on a flight, you might know the rules a dog owner must follow while taking his pet.

Here are some of the standard rules imposed on dog owners during flight

  1. The dog should be carried in a properly ventilated bag as per the size mentioned in the information bulletin of the flight.
  2. The pet should be appropriately leashed, and its weight and container should not exceed 5 kg. The owner had to pay a charge for his pet as it was not allowed with the free luggage.
  3. The owner had to take the rabies vaccination certificates and the proper medication certificates along with him as proof that his dog was physically and mentally fit.
  4. The owner has to take their pet at their own risk as some countries don’t allow the entry of pets.
  5. If the pet gets injured during the journey, it will be the owner’s responsibility to provide the pet with proper medication, as the authority will not be responsible for that.
  6. The owner has to give a declaration to the authority by agreeing to all the conditions mentioned above.

These rules might differ from airline to airline. However, most airlines imposed these guidelines on dog owners, who must strictly follow them when carrying their dogs during the journey.

Traveling with Dogs on Trains: Rules and Regulations to Follow

You can get confused if you travel on a train with your dog for the first time. So, you need to be aware of the rules and regulations imposed on dog owners carrying their dogs on the train.

In most of the railway’s terminology, pets are often considered luggage, so traveling with your dog on the train is cheaper than traveling on flights.

Here are some of the rules imposed on dog owners on train

  1. The dog owner should carry their dog in a train cabin at AC first class or in the non-AC section as pets are not allowed in the AC sleeper class, chair class, or second class of a train.
  2. The owner can also carry their dog in specially designed luggage boxes if the companions complain about the dog’s presence in the compartment.
  3. After booking the ticket, the owner should explain the reason for taking their pet to the chief commercial officer. This will ensure they are allotted a cabin rather than a random berth.
  4. The dog owner should carry collars and chains for their dog, and it’s the responsibility of the dog owner to arrange food for their pet.

One should contact the parcel office of their boarding station before taking their dog on the journey, as a minimal amount of charge will be taken to ensure your dog’s safe travel throughout the trip. This will help transport your dog on the journey.

Why is it Important to Keep a Crate Every Time You Travel with Your Dog?

Dog owners must keep a crate with them at every outing with their pets as it makes them feel safe and secure and protects them from falling in a car.

Rather than this, if you are taking your dog on a flight, it is strictly mentioned in the guidelines of some airlines that dog owners should keep a crate with them for carrying their dog.

How to Choose a Perfect Crate for Your Dog?

As a crate is the most crucial part of keeping your dog safe during a flight, the owner should be aware of the facts that should be noticed while buying a crate to make the pet feel secure during the entire journey.

The things that should be taken care of while buying a crate are

  1. The crate should be large enough to fit the dog’s size so that the pet can move quickly inside it.
  2. The crate should be strong enough with an easy grip for the owner to hold it.
  3. The crate should be adequately ventilated on opposing sides.
  4. The leak-proof bottom of the crate should be covered with absorbent material.

Now, we have discussed all the tips and tricks, what precautions to follow, what to avoid, and which product to choose while planning an outing with your dog.

All the information discussed above is well-researched and will help you make your journey beautiful if you plan to travel with your dog.

Picture of Aapt Dubey
Aapt Dubey

Aapt Dubey, a devoted canine enthusiast and experienced dog Owner, brings boundless passion to our team. With a heart full of love for our four-legged friends, Aapt is dedicated to sharing insights on dog care, behavior, and training to make every pup's life happier and healthier at ItsAboutDog.com.

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