Making Your Pet As Comfy as Possible When Traveling

Most dogs, cats, and most domesticated animals are not “travelers” by nature. That’s why they tend to become uncomfortable and sickly, especially during long travels, which naturally results to being jittery and moody. And for sure, the last thing you want to do when traveling is to clean after your pet’s messy puke and whatnot.

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According to pet guru, Cesar Millan, “Planes and cars aren’t designed with dogs (and cats) in mind, and you need to know what to expect when you reach your final destination”. True to every word, although this post does not dispute the fact that dogs are fond of sticking their heads out of the window and put their tongues out. Perhaps, that’s their way to relieve themselves from travel stress. But that aside, here are some tips to make your pet comfortable enough for long travels.

Allot a Large Space for Them

If you are traveling by car, it is highly recommended that you should let your pet stay in the back seat. This way, dogs and cats can have the whole back space for them to sit and rest on. Although it is still very much ideal to put them in a crate/carrier, most cars, minivans and SUVs today have key features dedicated solely for your pet’s travel convenience, not to mention the spacious rear area. Set up the back seat with a pet-friendly seat cover to armor your car seat and upholstery from unwanted dirt and loose fur/hair. After which, you can pretty much leave the rest to them.

Bring Toys

The thought of seeing your dog/cat stuck in a crate for the next couple of hours is already a burden not only to you but also for your furry fellow. That is why it is always a best practice to bring your pet’s favorite toy/s to help them get through the rough ride. Toys are the perfect item to pacify your pets during long travel, so better keep them handy when packing your dog’s stuff.

Spruce Up the Space

To make your pet, even more comfortable during long trips, make sure to pimp up your dog/cat’s space. Start by placing a pet liner at the back of the car or right inside the crate if you’re taking a plane. You may also throw in his/her favorite blanket. Install a water dispenser to a spot wherein your pets can easily access in case they got thirsty and make sure to pack a “light” snack for them to nibble from time to time.

Make Sure to “Unload the Tank” Before Hopping In

Always make it a point to let your pets do their business first before going on a long trip (peeing and pooing, that is) so that they won’t feel tense while on the road/air. Just to be sure, especially for land travelers, you can always have a quick stop over every once in a while to unload. Also, to avoid “pet accidents”, make sure to feed your pooch and kitty at least 1-2 hours before hitting the road.

Make sure your pets are comfy enough by setting up their hub backseat with a soft pet cover

These are just some of the best practices in making your furball companions as cozy as possible.

Taking Care of Pet “Accidents”

Given the fact that cats and dogs are territorial, both are also not capable of, shall we say, “putting the call of nature on hold”. Hence, most of the time, they experience these sudden accidents”, and by that, we meant your pets taking number 1 or number 2, or even worse, throw up right in the comfort of your own living room, or at times, in your car.

Too bad, you must have forgotten to put on the covers, huh? Well, calm down, as things like these do happen every once in a while. And we, as pet owners, are responsible for cleaning after your beloved Pissy-Cat and Poopy-Pooch’s leavings. 

Listed are some tips on how to take care of your pet’s accidental drip-&-drop-&-disgorge. In other words, pet pee, poop, and puke on your furniture:

For Cat and Dog Urine

-          Rule of thumb: Dry it while it’s still fresh. Dog and cat urine are notorious for its musty, ammonia-like smell so make sure not to let it dry by itself. First thing to do is to blot the affected area with an absorbent cloth.

-          After which, treat the spot with vinegar or club soda to eliminate the “essence” of the urine. Continue to absorb the liquid using a thick absorbent cloth. Another workaround is to use vacuum to extract the remaining moisture from the upholstery.

-          Apply baking soda and let it stand for about an hour to neutralize the smell. You may also use commercial deodorizers to alleviate the urine’s sharp, funky odor.

-          For stain removal, squeeze an ample amount of lemon juice to the affected area. It is also advisable to use commercial stain remover or other cleaning solutions.

-          Dry out the affected area using hair blower. Take precautionary measures when using flat iron drying out moisture within the area

But just before you do the dirty work, make sure to put on rubber gloves and facial mask to protect yourself from bacteria. As for your furniture, always remember to keep your pet covers handy to prevent unexpected pet-related disasters such as this.

For Cat and Dog Poop

Cleaning pet poop can be tricky and may require a lot more work.

-          For dry, solid poop, simply scoop the fecal matter as soon as possible.

-          Vacuum of brush off the affected area to remove small loose bits.

-          For runny, diarrhea-like poop, absorb the watery fecal matter with thick paper towel. Never use old newspaper, as the ink could stain your upholstery even more. Repeat until excess waste are all cleared up. Do this exact same procedure with pet vomit.

-          Blot the area with a thick cloth, then brush it with detergent and water. You may also consider adding disinfectant to the solution.

-          After which, blot the spot with a thick cloth, then rinse it with warm water. Repeat the process if necessary. Never rub the affected area with the cloth, as it may leave unwanted stain on your upholstery.

-          For stain removal, it is better to use commercial stain remover to ensure no stain marks will be left untreated on the upholstery.

-          Apply baking soda and let it stand for about an hour to neutralize the smell. You may also use household deodorizers if necessary.

-          Dry out the affected area using hair blower. Take precautionary measures when using flat iron drying out moisture within the area.

But just before you do the dirty work, make sure to put on rubber gloves and facial mask to protect yourself from bacteria. As for your furniture, always remember to keep your pet covers handy to prevent unexpected pet-related disasters such as this.

5 Must-Haves for Traveling Pet Lovers

Here’s a scenario: You are planning to go out on a three-day beach adventure. Bags are packed, hotel accommodation has been booked, the station wagon is all gassed up, everything is good to go! Now, here’s a thing. “Can Buster and Felina come with you on this trip?”  

photo courtesy of coolanimalworld.com

Tagging along your pet to an awesome getaway definitely adds fun to the trip! What’s great with this is that you get to spend more time as you share the experience with your canine and feline buddies! But before you go gaga about the thought of beach-bumming with your pet dog or cat, get your checklist and see if you have these 5 must-haves for traveling pet lovers:

1. Pet crate – “It’s usually a good idea to crate your dog when riding in the car. You’ll be less distracted while driving which is safer for both of you.” says legendary dog whisperer, Cesar Millan. This is also applicable for cats. The idea is to stay focus on the long and winding road. Besides, there will be plenty of quality time to enjoy with your pet once you have reached your destination.

2. Pet IDs and Leach – Like humans, dogs and cats need a little limber up after a long day of road trip. After all, dogs and cats need to release their constrained energy from time to time. It is a-must to leash your pet when going for a walk to control and keep them from doing unnecessary nibbling or worse, from jumping onto somebody. As for the tag, make sure it has their name on it, along with your contact information for identification in case you lose grip of their leash and get loose. 

3. Pet snacks and treats – It’s fine to toss a chunk of your pet’s favorite snack every once in a while during trips, but make sure not to make them full. Pets may experience road trip sickness, and may throw up in your car. As a precaution, make sure to set up your car’s back seat with your trusty pet seat cover.

4. Toys – Dogs and cats tend to get uneasy during the long trip, itself, that’s why make sure these toy come in handy. Throw in their favorite stuffed animal, chew toys or koosh ball to keep them busy and calm during your driving stretch. 

5. Portable litter box – Cats and dogs incapable of holding in Mother Nature’s call, (that goes for number 1 and number 2).  What more during travel. And being the responsible driver (and human), it is your obligation to check if they need to “go” every once in a while. That’s where portable litter box comes in. As for dogs that are not used to relieve themselves in a litter box, just go for a quick stopover and bring a lot of old newspaper or tissue to go on with your pooch’s business. 

HONORABLE MENTION: Health certificates – this is applicable for “jet-set” pets on airline travel. Along with the necessary requirements such as airline-compliant pet carrier, you must have with you a valid health certificate, clearance and other important paperwork, as well as additional fees that may come along the way during check-ins. 

Having these 5 must-have pet essentials with you will definitely make your vacation with your lovable furry friends memorable, worthwhile and hassle-free.