Travel Safety
If you're going on an airplane or car trip and would like to take your dog with you, there are some precautions you should take to ensure that your canine companion is safe and comfortable. After all, this is an adventure for him too!
Leaving on a Jet Plane
You may want to think twice about putting your dog on a plane. Although airlines make every effort to keep you and your pet safe, today's erratic flight schedules mean that your pet may be stuck in an airport longer than is healthy for him. After all, there's no place in an airport for a dog to eliminate or to walk around and get some exercise while you're waiting to board your flight.
Bring bottled water or water from home especially for your dog to drink throughout your trip. Different water sources combined with the stress of travel may cause intestinal upset and diarrhea. Food from home is best for the same reason. Don't forget his food and water bowls! Some dogs won't use a different bowl that smells unfamiliar.
Toy dogs are usually permitted to stay with you in the cabin provided they remain in an airline-approved travel bag that you carry on board. Small, medium, large, and giant dogs must ride in airline-approved hard-sided kennels in the cargo compartment. There is a charge for taking your dog along and it's usually more expensive for dogs that ride in cargo.
Airlines have strict requirements that are constantly revised, so it's best to call the airline and speak to a reservation agent to verify the current rules before purchasing your own ticket. Some planes only have room for a few dogs on each flight and a reservation must be made for your dog when you book your own flight. Airlines may not accept dogs during certain times of the year or in extreme weather conditions.
All airlines require your dog to be examined by a veterinarian and to have a health certificate prior to travel, whether you carry him on or check him into the cargo area beneath the plane.
To reduce stress, your dog should be well-socialized around crowds and commotion long before you travel. You should also work to get him accustomed to spending several hours in an airline-approved kennel or carry-on bag. He should not be upset by altitude changes and motion.
Road Trip
To make your dog's journey as comfortable as possible and to reduce the chance of a stomach upset, don't feed her a meal on the morning of your trip. If she has never traveled in the car before, the first trip shouldn't be a long one. Plan ahead and begin taking your dog on short car rides around the neighborhood so she becomes accustomed to the motion of a car.
Some dogs are bothered with motion sickness even without being fed. If your dog becomes carsick, give her some peppermint capsules or a tablespoon of honey. You can also mix two drops of aspen, elm, scleranthus, and vervain Bach flower essences.
Your dog doesn't need to feel the wind on his face and should never be allowed to hang his head out the window while you're driving. If he does this, there's a good chance that debris or insects could fly into his eyes. This could cause mild eye irritation or even a scratched cornea. Open the windows only far enough for his nose to fit.
To protect her in case of a collision, she should always wear a pet safety restraint or ride in a travel kennel. Keep the leash on when she's not in the kennel so she can't run out when the door is opened.
Be sure that she has at least one and preferably two forms of identification — for example, a microchip and a collar with an ID tag — in case you become separated from her. A microchip is permanent and you don't have to worry about it falling off of your dog, but if the person who finds her doesn't have the special scanner to read the microchip, your reunion will take longer. A snug but comfortably fitting collar with a current waterproof identification tag with your name, address, and phone number helps the rescuer locate you immediately.
Bring some of your dog's bedding and toys from home so that she feels safer, and take a pet first-aid kit for emergencies. This should contain vitamin C and vitamin B-complex to help relieve stress. The B-complex will also prevent nausea if your dog develops motion sickness. Remember too to stop driving every few hours so that your dog can get out to eliminate and exercise her legs.
