It may seem like a nightmare, but it’s quite possible to travel with pets if they are contained in a comfortable pet carrier. There are various types and sizes of pet carriers on the market to suit every type of animal.
How to choose pet carrier?
When you are choosing a pet carrier, take your pet on your shopping expedition to ensure you make the best selection. Here’s what you need to know to suit the animal’s requirements:
Price range: Decide on a price that will suit your budget, and a size that will suit your pet. Travel pet carriers range from $20-80.
Soft or hard: Buy a soft carrier if you are traveling by bus, train or car. Buy a hard crate, if you are traveling by plane.
Safety: Take the advice of a pet expert to ensure you buy a suitable pet carrier which provides safety and comfort for your pet. Select a pet carrier that keeps your pet isolated with a constant temperature.
Comfort: Check that the bottom of carrier is padded and that it has smooth finishing. Make sure the carrier has ample space for your pet to move comfortably and turn around easily.
Air travel
Make sure the pet carrier is small enough to keep under your seat in a plane. Keep the carrier under your seat when the plane takes off and move in front of you when it is in the air.
Check the ventilation facilities and airflow under your seat. Larger pets can be carried as cargo. Check the safety precautions of the cargo before the plane takes-off.
Road travel:
Make sure the carrier has soft cushioning and keep it on your lap if you can. If you are traveling by bus or train, attach labels and tags to your pets containing your pet’s name, your name, contact details and address.
Pack pet food and keep a watchful eye on your pet if you make multiple stops. If you are traveling by train, check if it has a pet’s zone and lock the pet carrier before checking it into the zone.
Tips to maintain pet carriers:
- Clean the carrier with mild non-toxic materials and make sure it is dry before transporting.
- Ensure the carrier is balanced when you carry it.
- Provide proper ventilation and air facilities.
- Place soft pads on the sides and a solid pad on the floor of the pet carrier to avoid jerks and bumps while traveling.
- Keep dry food like biscuits in the carrier.
- Watch your pets carefully.
- If you keep the carrier on your lap, try to avoid moving suddenly.
