Traveling with pets by plane, train, or car is exciting, but it can be more stressful for the pets that are facing anxiety or pets that are traveling for the first time. This is where calming tips can be beneficial.
What is stress in pets?
Stress in pets is similar to stress in humans, but pets feel anxious due to several reasons, like traveling to new spots or new environments. It’s a physical and emotional response to something unfamiliar or uncomfortable surroundings. When the pet gets anxious, then the pet starts to behave aggressively, shakily, and restlessly due to hormone releases (like cortisol) that will trigger the pet to behave abnormally.
Why Pets Get Anxious During Travel and Calming Tips That Help
Most pets, like cats and dogs, are creatures of habit. They like familiar routines like smells, places, and people. Travel disturbs all of the routine.
Here is what stresses them out during traveling.
New environments
Movement and motion
Crates being confined
Separation anxiety
Unfamiliar handlers or people
Pet facing anxiety issues previously
What do pets feel when they feel anxious?
Dogs may pant, salivate, whine, shake, pace, or refuse food.
Cats may hide, hoot, overgroom, or start to meow.
Both may resist being put in the crate.
Traveling with pets with proper techniques helps to calm them during the traveling, and you, as a pet owner, breathe a sigh of relief too.
Recognize the pets.
Before jumping into travel preparation, check the pet’s nature. Some pets are naturally anxious, while others adapt quickly. Observing your pet’s behavior in a new environment (like in a vet clinic or when pets are taken outside) might give you a hint of how the pets may behave during the long trip. If the pet has a history, visit the vet before traveling. They can help with behavior advice, calming products, or some prescription medication for the traveling.
Pre-Trip Acclimating: Practice Travel with Calming Tips
This is one of the best calming techniques that people are knowingly or unknowingly using to desensitize their pets to the concept of traveling. The dogs and cats thrive on routine, so introducing new elements gradually can work wonders.
For canines: Start with a short drive around the neighborhood. Bring their favorite toy or bedsheet and give them some treats to make their journey enjoyable.
For Finine: Let them enjoy their carrier at home; place their toy and blanket inside the carrier—that will create a positive environment.
If you don’t give the training to pets to stay inside the crate, then they feel like they are trapped inside the crate.
Build a relaxation corner.
During pet travel, there should be a mini home for the pets to comfort and calm them. That’s how to create the perfect Zen Den.
Use of familiar toys: A favorite toy and worn T-shirt that smells like you or a usual bedsheet that provides some encouragement.
Keeping the crate comfortable: Place the soft blanket or padding inside the carrier so it doesn’t slide during the traveling.
Crate cover: Sometimes the pets feel anxious due to the visual aspect, so covering the crate with breathable blankets can reduce the stress.
Calming Tips & Natural Aids That Really Work for Pets
For a more panoramicapproach, there are natural remedies that calm the pets.
Pheromone spray: A product like Adaptil (for canines) and a product like Feliway (for felines) imitate the calming natural scents. Spray inside the carrier before traveling.
Herbal remedies apart from the spray: chamomile, valerian root, and passionflower are kept inside the crate to comfort the pets from anxiety.
CBD (cannabidiol oil): This oil is gaining popularity nowadays, but it’s important to choose the specific formula and consult the vet.
Feeding and Hydration
Make preparations for feeding the pets; especially don’t feed your pets right before traveling if they are prone to travel sickness. The light meal three to three and a half hours before departure will work best. Keep fresh water obtainable if you’re traveling a long journey.
As a pet relocation company, we guide you to freeze the bowl of water the night before traveling. It will melt down and provide the hydration without leakage.
Pet Owners Should Stay Calm During Travel: Essential Calming Tips
Your pets can pick up your energy. Especially if you are frustrated or rushing and anxious, you are likely to view it backward. Keep your breathing controlled, and speak in a slow and relaxed tone.
Why routine matters.
Keeping the regular routine will control the pets; it doesn’t feel unfamiliar for pets if the routines are regular.
Feeding according to their regular time
Walking or playing when they expect to do
Placing their normal toy.
Choosing the pet-friendly airlines always matters.
Book pet-friendly airlines: Check their policy in both cabin and cargo.
Choose the direct flight: Always choose the direct flight; this will reduce the travel time and risk of delay and mishandling.
Check out our latest Blog:
How Pet Handlers Train Ensure Safe and Stress-Free Pet Travel