Travelling with your entire family is always a worthwhile experience filled with new memories, happiness and cheer. While travelling with dogs seems like a fun thing to do it is daunting in its own ways because it includes not just the destination but the journey itself. This journey by a train, plane or even your own car can leave your furry buddy in a lot of stress and anxiety.

You would not want to leave your canine buddy home alone or unattended with strangers, in this situation the best-case scenario is to take them with you. While the challenges involved in taking your dog during travelling are aplenty, however, if the risk is measured and all the precautions are taken then the journey can be pleasant for both you and your pet. To plan a successful trip you should know about the challenges you will face during the journey. So here are some challenges that you might face when travelling with your dog:

1. Motion sickness: If your dog has not been accustomed to travelling in a car then they may experience motion sickness induced nausea while travelling. This can be a serious issue as your dog can feel extremely uncomfortable and may act out in such a situation. It is best to consult your veterinarian for natural treatment suggestions for nausea and motion sickness.
2. Confined space: Confined spaces tend to freak out dogs. This is one of the most common challenges that you may face while travelling with your dog as they are not used to staying in a small and confined space. Keeping your dog in a crate can be a safe option but it’s not necessarily the smartest way. Make sure that your pet gets used to his/her crate before the trip begins and make the crate as comfortable as possible using their blanket and beddings.
3. Refusal to eat or drink: Most dogs refuse to eat or drink while travelling, this can also be a result of motion sickness. However, if you do observe that they are getting uncomfortable it is best to take a small stop and feed them outside your vehicle.
4. Dehydration: Dehydration can cause your dog to get cranky and act out. While travelling most pet owners may remember to feed but forget to provide enough water to their pets. It is wise to keep them hydrated or make them drink enough water before the trip begins.
5. Aggression: Dogs are likely to act out if their routine gets disrupted. Your dog may become slightly aggressive during travel as they feel new to a situation and don’t know how to react.
6. Self-harm: Dogs can start aggressively scratching, biting or licking themselves and this can take an unknown turn wherein they may try to harm themselves while travelling. Keep an eye out on their actions in case you see them do this.
7. Finding a poop and pee place: Most dog owners find themselves in a dilemma while travelling when it comes to making their dog pee or poop during the trip. If dog owners are not careful then the dog may pee or poop inside the vehicle which can create a lot of mess and be a real spoilsport.

While all this may sound stressful and may leave you thinking about what to do with your furry buddy while travelling, it is not something that cannot be managed. Keeping in mind some basic DOs of travelling with your dogs can save you a lot of trouble. For example:

• If you are travelling in your own vehicle then don’t forget to take small stops every 2-3hours. Be mindful of what your dog is up to during the journey and keep an eye out for them. Equip the vehicle with all the necessary items that your dog may want or need like their beddings, a crate, food and water, their eating bowl, poop scooper and some toys to distract them.
• Consult your vet before starting off and take all the necessary medications with you. Travelling can be a difficult experience for dogs and it may result in some pre or post travel issues but as they say, prevention is better than cure. Ensure that your dog’s preventive care is up to date, preventative care describes treatments, services, or procedures that promote your pet’s health and maintain their general wellness while helping to prevent accidents or illnesses.
• If your pet is travelling as cargo, refrain from feeding them four hours before departure and curate as much health information as you can before travelling. Cross country travel involves a lot of preparation and its best to be prepared for everything.

Conclusion

While travelling with dogs may seem like a herculean task it can be made easy with certain precautions. By knowing what issues may arise and following all the DOs and DONTs you may save yourself a lot of last-minute stress and focus on having a joyous trip with your dog.

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