There can be many reasons for which you might have to make a move across the country. There is a huge possibility that you may have to travel with your pet. The experience starts with the first time, and with first-timers, there always remain questions and doubt, to begin with. How to manage the documents? How to schedule the feeding amidst the travel? Should I feed it before starting the journey or not? What all things I must include in its traveling kit? And many more such questions are natural to cross your mind.
To make the process easier for you when moving pet, here are some points which might help you prepare for the journey and stay confident with the boot:
Make the first move by visiting a vet:
When you are planning an international trip with your pet, the most important and essential document is a recent health certificate certifying your pet’s perfect health conditions from a verified vet. This document can be asked at any location at any time. If you are planning a vacation and are going to stay at the destination for over a month, you might have to make a visit amidst your vacation as the certification is valid for only 30 days from its date of issue. You must make the visit as soon as you plan the trip as, if any health issue is detected, you may have time to go through proper treatment till you make a final move.
The health issues mentioned on the certificate may bring you some difficulties on the surface as there are different laws for different countries regarding pets and animals. The rules are meant to ensure that your pet is not harboring any pests, as this may spread it among the other animals. You may also ask your vet to provide an interstate health certificate, which is essential to carry for traveling across different states.
Stock your supplies:
You know your pet better than anyone and therefore are well aware of its eating habits. You do not want yourself any trouble for keeping it hungry amongst long hours of journey. To avoid hungry pooch, you must carry a bag with appropriate food and drink supplies. You cannot rely on the stores on the routes because your pet is not familiar with the packed food and might not suit it. It is best to carry your food and fend off tummy troubles for your pet and yourself. However, it is nothing more than a hurdle to take a stop amidst a journey to visit a vet, but its always considered a good exercise to know experts located along the route.
You must always carry a first-aid kit and stay prepared for any sort of emergency. It would be best if you did not forget to carry the medicines for your pet too. You can consult the vet during a regular visit and get a prescription of the medicines you might need while on the trip.
Take a stop for potty breaks:
Remember, it might be just another road trip for you, but it is not a regular exercise for your pet; therefore, it is not used for trips. It is advised to take a small break after every two hours of a continuous drive so that your pet may take a poop and stretch itself and relax. You may exceed the intervals as per your preference, but it should not be exceeded for more than eight hours of a drive. If you are accompanied by a cat, you must take extra precautions while taking a break at a rest house. The cats and dogs become extra aggressive while in the strange company of each other. The cats are also observed to act very differently when they are outside on a leash; therefore, unless it is a usual practice for you, you stay attentive towards it.
Identifications and microchip:
This is also a very important step to take care of. You must always ensure that you put an identification tag on your pet to avoid any problem on the go. You must also install a microchip to get an update of its location if it is lost or is stolen. The identification tags and microchips are considered as an inexpensive way of recovering your pet in case of any scam activities.
