So, you are going on a travel adventure and you want to take your furry companion with you?

You want to bring your four legged friend with you on your trip, so that you don’t have to leave them while you are on the road and you can enjoy your vacation together. But how do you do it? 

Travelling with pets, image courtesy of DelSuites

It is possible to bring your pet along with you on a trip, it will simply require a little more planning and preparation. Cars and planes aren’t designed with pets in mind and not every furnished accommodation is pet friendly. By taking the time to plan in advance you can make sure that your vacation and extended stay in Toronto will be as relaxing as possible for you and your dog or cat.

Here are some tips that will help your trip with your pet go more smoothly:

• Putting your cat or dog in a crate is a good idea for a long car trip. You might feel sad for them if they are locked in a crate, but they will be much safer and they will likely find it more reassuring. Distractions are also less prone while you are driving.
• You can introduce the crate to your pet as early as possible and let them practice getting in and out of it. Give them a treat and some reassuring words when they are in the crate, so that they have a positive association with it.
• Let your pet run around outside as much as possible before hitting the road, so that they have burned off their excess energy and won’t be restless.
• Don’t feed your pet a lot before the trip, as this might make them more likely to experience motion sickness. Give them a small snack that is high in protein at a break point during the trip to give them the energy they need.
• Your pet might want to stick their head out of the window to feel the air on their faces, but they could be injured by particles of debris or made ill by having all of that cold air pushed into their lungs. Keep them in their crate instead.
• Never leave a dog or a cat in a parked car – especially on a hot day. The temperature in the car can heat up to dangerous levels very quickly leading to heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
• If you are taking your pet on a plane, it is important to check with the particular airline to find out their rules and regulations for pet travel. Some might require a health certificate or other details that you will need to prepare before your trip.
• Is your pet nervous about their first travel experience? Keep your voice and body language as calm and steady as possible, which will help to reassure your pet that everything is going to be okay.
• Find out in advance whether or not the hotel or furnished apartment in Toronto you have booked allows you to bring pets. There are many excellent pet friendly stays that will welcome your furry friend.

Keep these tips in mind so that you and your pet can have an enjoyable trip together!