There’s nothing quite as thrilling as taking the holiday celebrations on the road to an exciting destination. In fact, vacations are good for you. Studies show that taking regular getaways improves your health. For pet owners, this activity may include some extra difficulties. We love our furry pals and want them to enjoy the holiday cheer alongside us wherever we go, but we understand the challenges this entails.
According to a recent survey, 82% of pet owners sometimes travel with their pets. However, about 37% of dog owners stated that their biggest frustration as a pet parent is having to find a sitter when they go away because traveling with their animals is stressful and annoying. Wondercide wants to take the worry out of holiday travel with pets. We’re sharing travel tips and tricks for pets and their humans to make sure everyone arrives at their destination having enjoyed the journey.
Tricks and treats
Even the calmest pets can be unpredictable in unfamiliar situations. Getting your pet to sit still, lay down, or stop barking is no easy task. For a long traveling stint, it’s a good idea to take their favorite treats along for the ride so that you have a sure-fire way to moderate their behavior. Your furry friends will appreciate the extra snacks and your family will appreciate how well-behaved your pup is.
Driving practice makes perfect
Road trips for humans are packed with travel tunes, salty snacks, and glorious views. For our pets, a long drive consists of confusion, very little wiggle room, and more confusion. To make your new travel companions more comfortable, try taking them for shorter drives to see how they adjust to being in the car. They may view the car ride as a great opportunity for a nap. But there’s a chance your pets may experience some motion sickness and slight panic. It’s important to gauge their behavior in a vehicle so you know if traveling with your furry friends is pawsible, while also preparing them for longer periods on the road.
Motion sickness remedies
Not all dogs are naturally equipped to withstand the winding roads our country offers. Due to physical issues and psychological effects, dogs can get carsick. Sometimes, anxiety alone can lead to your pup getting sick in a vehicle. After that, they may associate driving with sickness which only makes them more prone to vomiting in the car. Luckily, there are steps you can take to prevent your pup from getting sick.
Before your trip, try not to feed your dog for 12 hours before you depart. Make sure they have lots of fresh water but little food beforehand. Also, placing your pup in the middle seat or a trunk with a big window may help. If your dog’s view consists of only shaky visions from a side window, this may throw off their sense of balance. When you can, lower the windows so a fresh breeze reaches your furry pal and relieves some of that stale car air.
If all else fails, there are effective motion sickness medicines for animals. Talk with your vet to see what the perfect medication or herbal remedy is for your pup.
The wonders of walking breaks
For the sanity of both you and your furry carmate, stopping every two to four hours for short walks and bathroom breaks will improve the ride for everyone. Something as simple as pulling over into a rest stop parking lot and strolling around for a little bit will help your pup get some energy out and relieve the feeling of being trapped. You should allow your pet at least 15 minutes to enjoy the fresh outdoors before continuing your road trip.
Travel toys
Similarly to traveling with young kids, your pets will want something to keep themselves occupied while on the road. Pack their favorite balls, bones, ropes, and toys to keep them busy on their way to your destination. A treasured toy can help distract your pup from getting sick by giving them a sense of comfort and home. Another trick is to bring along a toy they only get to play with during car rides so they associate driving with fun. You can find the perfect toy for this occasion in Wondercide's Peppermint Dog Kit, equipped with a fun peppermint rope toy as well as Wondercide’s Flea & Tick Collar and Flea & Tick Spray for pets and homes.
The Flea & Tick collar is lab-proven to repel insects while exuding a pleasant peppermint aroma to keep the holiday cheer in the air. The Flea and Tick Spray provides a second layer of protection for your little travel buddies.
Travel with pets, not bugs
No matter how far you travel, no animal can outrun the bugs. Whether you make frequent stops to walk your eager pup, or you do some holiday hiking once you’ve reached your destination, insects will be on the prowl. But don’t fret—Wondercide won’t let pesky critters spoil your holiday experience. With Wondercide’s Peppermint Travel Kit, you’ll have the right tools to combat bothersome bugs like fleas and ticks that follow you on your travel adventures.
The travel kit comes with a trendy sling bag perfect for traveling with pets and two 4 oz peppermint sprays: Insect Repellent for people and Flea & Tick Spray for pets.
All Wondercide pest protection formulas meet the same effectiveness standards required for conventional products and are safe and effective when used as directed. These easy-to-use and plant-powered tools will set you and your pet on their merry way to a bug-free holiday excursion.
Plane and simple airplane tips
For families who choose to embark on a flight with their furry companions, you may be wondering what’s the most comfortable way to go about it. About 2 million pets board flights each year, which means it’s time to make that experience more enjoyable for your four-legged pals. First, it’s important to make sure you’re up to date on your airline’s pet regulations and the size of the carrier you’re allowed to bring. Be sure to check with your vet to confirm that your pet is cleared for travel, especially elderly or sick animals.
Now, it’s time to find the perfect pet carrier for the flight. Ranked the best for travel by U.S. News, the Henkelion Cat Carrier is designed to store cats and small dogs in a well-ventilated, airline-approved container. For your pet’s convenience, the carrier comes with a removable machine-washable woolen mat and zippers on the sides and roof that allow for an easy opening. Your pet will feel like they’re being transported in a five-star hotel.
Best pet-friendly U.S. locations
If you’re looking to explore the U.S. this season but aren’t sure where your pet will thrive, we can help! We’re sharing the top ten best pet-friendly cities according to a Forbes Advisor study. These cities have plenty of pet-friendly restaurants, quality pet clinics, hiking trails, and dog parks for your pet’s visiting pleasure!
- Sacramento, California
- Portland, Oregon
- San Francisco, California
- Bakersfield, California
- Long Beach, California
- Madison, Wisconsin
- Lincoln, Nebraska
- Washington, D.C.
- St. Louis, Missouri and Albuquerque, New Mexico (Tie)
Our animals are just as much a part of the family as our human relatives. Wondercide wants them to stay by your side during the most festive time of year! We hope our guide to traveling with pets serves you well and allows you to take your best friends along for the ride while you ring in this wonderful time of year. No more will you need to worry about scrambling to find a sitter. No longer will your furry friend fear having to jump in the back seat of the car. Your family and pets will enjoy a stress-free holiday adventure together as a pack!
