Top Tips for Travelling with your Furry Friend

Previous affiliation – I have reviewed Crumble and Bert on my blog before.

For many of us, it feels like there’s no such thing as an adventure without our furry friend… So much so, that a recent study revealed over half of pet owners planned to travel with their animal companion last year.

We like to take our pets everywhere with us – whether it’s to the seaside for the day or a weekend trip away, however, this can sometimes prove to be a bit of a stressful experience. With this in mind, we’ve put together a helpful guide on how to make travelling with your companion as seamless as possible.

Invest in a pet seatbelt

To ensure a smooth and safe journey, a pet seatbelt is essential. If let loose in a vehicle, your pet could unintentionally distract the driver and cause an accident as a result.

It is also part of the highway code that drivers must ‘make sure dogs and other animals are suitably restrained‘ in their car, and the inability to do so could be classed as dangerous driving.

Pack a favourite toy

Animal welfare organisation RSPCA strongly promotes the importance of providing toys for your pet pals – not just on holiday, but every day. Toys can help your dog with their relaxation, and mental stimulation and even provide a sense of stress relief!

As well as helping with their behaviour, packing their favourite toy will offer your pet a sense of comfort and familiarity, making your travelling experience easier and stress-free.

Keep them hydrated

Regular hydration is one of the most important aspects of travelling with your pets, and failure to keep your furry friend adequately watered can result in heatstroke. To help prevent this, ensure you are carrying water with you at all times – a full water bottle that you can easily decant into a bowl and encourage them to take regular sips from is one of the most efficient ways to keep them hydrated throughout the duration of your trip.

What is heatstroke?

Heatstroke occurs in animals when they are unable to control their internal body temperature. Dogs, for example, keep cool primarily by panting and releasing heat through their paw pads and nose.

Soaring temperatures can heighten your pet’s risk of developing a heat-related illness, in particular:

• Dogs with thicker fur
• Dogs that are overweight
• Pets that are more energetic and excitable

If your dog possesses these characteristics, it’s best to keep an eye on their condition at all times, especially in hot weather. There are a number of other factors that can further contribute to your pet’s chance of developing heatstroke, however, these are more preventable. These include:

• Avoid walking your dog during the middle of the day and wait for the evening when temperatures are cooler
• Never leave your dog in a vehicle unattended – even with the windows down
• Ensure your dog is resting in a cool shaded area and avoid letting them outside during the warm afternoons

Signs of heatstroke

It’s vital to be clued up on the symptoms of heatstroke so that you can act fast and increase your pet’s chance of survival if necessary. Look out for these signs in your pets:

• Panting excessively and having difficulty breathing
• Collapse
• Stiffness or unable to move
• Not being able to walk in a straight line
• Upset stomach/vomiting
• Fitting

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your vet immediately. A study conducted in the UK revealed that 1 in 7 dogs taken to the vet with heatstroke die, however, the likelihood of fatality is significantly reduced by 98% if they are initially taken in with milder symptoms.

The earlier you can spot the signs of heatstroke, the better chance your pet has of survival.

Pre-travel grooming

Booking your pet in for a quick groom before their big trip will not only keep them looking cool but feeling cool too. Keeping your dog’s hair short in warmer weather can prevent the excess heat from becoming trapped in their coat and irritating their skin.

Similarly, if your dog has a naturally thinner coat or no hair at all, be sure to invest in a pet-friendly SPF to minimise the risk of sunburn.

Avoid travelling at peak times

If you need to take public transport during your travels, try to avoid peak times where possible. Temperatures can soar above 30 degrees on the London Underground, which is uncomfortable even for us, so you can imagine how it feels for your four-legged friend!

Travelling with your pet doesn’t have to be a worrisome experience, especially if you follow the advice above. With these top tips in mind for your next escape, your furry friend is bound to have bucket loads of fun. We hope you have a splendid trip!

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Author Bio: Hannah Sparrey and Annabel Hesketh are co-founders of Crumble & Bert

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