Is it difficult for dogs to travel?

Traveling can be stressful, but a calm owner usually has a calm pet. Our animals pick up on our stress, so if you're nervous and uptight, your dog may show stress and anxiety, too. Don't forget that some dogs don't enjoy traveling, and your dog may prefer to stay home with a dog sitter.



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Most of the time, dogs travel quite easily and do well without the need for medication. Some dogs, on the other hand, experience tremendous stress when subjected to air travel. Consult your veterinarian to create the best travel plan for your dog if he doesn't travel well.

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And while it may sound like a good idea to travel with your dog, there are some definite disadvantages for our canine friends. A group of Canadian researchers suggested, in a study, that road and air travel are stressful for dogs, especially those who have not traveled before.

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Ideally, you should try to match your dog's normal routine for potty breaks and meals while on the road, but this may be difficult to do. On average, you should give your dog a break every 2 to 4 hours for about 15 to 30 minutes each, and plan on driving no more than 7 hours per day.

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The safest way for your pet to travel is in a carrier that has been strapped to the seat with a seatbelt or other anchor. Make sure the carrier is large enough for your dog to stand up, turn around, and lie down. You can also use a pet seatbelt, but these have not been proven to protect animals during a car crash.

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Dogs can survive a 12-hour flight, but it's important to take steps to ensure their safety and comfort during the journey. Before the flight, it's important to prepare your dog properly by providing them with plenty of food, water, and opportunities to exercise.

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On average, many veterinarians agree that dogs need regular breaks for 15 to 30 minutes every 2 to 4 hours during long road trips.

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A: Dogs love car rides since a good road trip feeds their love of a good hunt and their innate sense of adventure. Riding in the car makes your dog feel part of a pack, bringing him comfort and even a kind of “high.” In addition, your dog can take in new sounds, sights, and smells as the car moves along the highway.

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Dog separation anxiety, more aptly termed as separation distress or panic is real. It can happen not only when you go on vacation but also when you need to leave them in general. It is a relatively common behavioural disorder, and it is a lot more than just “getting bored”.

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With that said, assuming your dog or cat is in very good health (as confirmed by your licensed vet) and assuming you properly prepare your pet for cargo travel (i.e. ensure he or she knows how to eat and drink from the kennel's bowls), cargo travel should be a safe travel option for your four-legged family.

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An aching senior pet may be uncomfortable in a moving vehicle, and car seats and safety belts may make their pain worse. Altered sleep, potty, and meal schedules could lead to missed medications, or accidents in the car that can make a trip in a confined space smelly and anxious for everyone.

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Medication prescribed by your veterinarian: trazodone (brand name Desyrel®), gabapentin (brand name Neurontin®), and alprazolam (brand names: Xanax® and Niravam®) are sometimes used to reduce the anxiety that some dogs experience when traveling.

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STATISTICS ON PEOPLE WHO TRAVEL WITH PETS 37% of families travel with their four-legged friends. This is a 19% increase over the last decade. 42% of owners aged 55-64 take their four-legged friends with them travelling. This makes Baby Boomers more likely to do this than younger generations.

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Usually dogs are only allowed to fly in the cabin—known as carry-on pets—if they can comfortably fit in a carrier that you can stow under the seat in front of you. A small number of airlines, including JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, and Etihad Airways, allow passengers flying with dogs to buy an extra seat for their pet.

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Pet Travel Checklist:
  1. FAA-approved carrier or crate.
  2. Puppy pads & poop bags.
  3. Required documents and health records.
  4. ID tags and pet license (consider getting them a microchip, too)
  5. Dog food and treats.
  6. Comfort items like a favorite toy or stuffed animal.
  7. You and your vet's contact information & phone number.


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