How to Prepare for Your First Road Trip with Your Pet
If you’re planning on taking pet road trips, you may want to check out what the veterinarians at Twin Peaks Veterinary Center in Tucson, Arizona, recommend before you and your best friend hop into the car and head off for an adventure. Here are some great travel tips you should consider.
Safety First
No matter how good your pet is, he can interfere while you’re driving. That’s why our vets recommend that you place your dog or cat in his pet carrier or crate in the car. If your car is too small for the crate, you can have your pet wear a harness and get buckled in so that he can ride in comfort and not interfere with your driving. After all, you don’t want to have an accident because your cat or dog got underfoot.
Make a Travel List
Just like you, your dog or cat needs his own supplies when you take to the road. You’ll need to bring the following:
- Pet dishes
- Pet food
- Travel water bowls
- Blanket/bed and favorite toys
- Poop bags for a dog
- Travel litter box with enough litter and scoop for a cat
- Paper towels
- Extra trash bags
- Pet medications
- Collar and ID tags
- Leash
- Vaccination records
- Health certificate
You can get your pet’s vaccination record, health certificate, and extra medication from your veterinarian.
ID, Please
Although you never expect to lose your pet, sometimes accidents happen. Be sure to have a current photo of your pet as well as a collar with the most current information on the ID tags. Having your cell phone number on your pet’s tags is an excellent idea because if someone finds him, you can be reached right away. Having your dog and cat microchipped from a veterinarian will improve the odds of your pet being returned. In many cases, dogs and cats lose their collars and tags. If they don’t have a microchip, it will be harder for you to reunite with your pet.
Contact Us for More Tips
For more information and good advice when it comes to traveling with your pet, contact us at Twin Peaks Veterinary Center in Tucson, Arizona. Our number is (520) 572-8300.