Author: Barbara Young
Animal Rehabilitator
As in most matters concerning your pet, your veterinarian will be your guiding partner in planning and carrying out the successful transportation of your dog, cat, or whatever animal that has found a place in your family. And by successful we mean as safe and stress free as possible, for both the 2- and 4-legged creatures involved!
Planning for your travels can, and should, begin before a trip is ever even considered. Let's start with where your animal will spend the time on the trip: HIS/HER CRATE! Not on your lap, not riding shotgun with his head hanging out of the window, and, for goodness sakes, not in the back of an open truck bed!!! Also, it is incredibly unsafe to drive with a loose animal in a vehicle as some have been known to find themselves under brake pedals, jumping out at gas stops, or imitating the Garfield stick-on toys on your window and windshield: amusing to those in traffic with you, but indicative of a terrified critter! His/her crate is the best place for you and your pet.
Making your pet comfortable in a crate can begin during their first days home as weanlings. With training early-on, it becomes their "den" as opposed to their “cage”. Crate training ensures that a piece of home is always available to your pet, even in the most unfamiliar surroundings. There are a variety of books, websites, and information available from your vet to help you in crate training your pup or kitten.
Sometimes it is necessary to train an older pet to the crate. Again, you can seek out more information through your veterinarian and other resources, but some "tricks" to ease the "older and wiser" into the system is to place a crate (big enough that the ears don't touch the roof and the animal can turn around, but not so cavernous that they won't consider it cozy in the end) in the middle of your living quarters where you and your pet naturally hang out. Leave the door open, occasionally throw a treat, a ball, or a toy in there to see if your pet will investigate it, but don't make a big deal about it either way. Just be calm, consistent, and nonchalant even. As in most dealings with animals, do not let them feed off of any anxiety or trepidation you may harbor about the process. Eventually your pet may actually conclude on his/her own that great things are in that crate, or at the least that it is not a threat and will become indifferent to it. Beginning to feed your pet near or next to the crate is a good desensitizing approach to gradually move closer to the goal of getting your pet inside.
Finally, placing familiar bedding within and leaving the crate open as an option to your pet usually leads to eventually finding your pet napping where you want him/her. Don't be in a hurry to get the door closed and, as a result, set all your calm conditioning back! Partially closing the gate or door and letting your pet bust back out if he/she so desires is OK: eventually you can begin locking your pet in and, again, very gradually, increase the pet’s time in the cage, beginning with a minute, and taking it from there.
So now you have a pet which likes his/her crate (or will at least tolerate it comfortably), and you are ready to travel. The next step is to see your friendly veterinarian. Technically almost any interstate travel with an animal will require a USDA health certificate asserting that your pet is safe to travel and is welcome across state borders. Some exotic animals or wildlife are prohibited from crossing any state lines - and having any of the aforementioned animals as pets is generally a bad idea as well, and perhaps unethical and illegal, but that's another article!
Your vet can advise you on recommended vaccinations for the area(s) of travel and the destination of your pet. He/she can also address the issue of tranquilizers. As a general rule, tranquilizers are to be avoided for all but the most nerve wracked, bordering neurotic animals for a variety of reasons. Airlines will no longer accept any animal that has been tranquilized for flights because they have found that tranquilized animals have their ability to regulate body temperature and blood pressure compromised, and tragic consequences have occurred. Even on a road trip, temperatures fluctuate and any animal that does indeed require tranquilizing will need to be monitored very carefully. Your veterinarian can prescribe a variety of drugs from Prozac to over the counter antihistamines to help take the edge off, but hopefully these can be avoided. Sometimes covering up the crate to create darkness (but still supplying good ventilation, of course) with a sheet or a towel is soothing to an overwrought pet.
Discuss with your vet the length of your trip in hours traveled per day. In terms of food: again, you and your vet will best understand the needs and disposition of your pet. If this is a family drive cross-country, starting Fido out with a less-than-normal amount in a feeding schedule is prudent. Sometimes, due to the excitement or motion, an animal have a little more gastric sensitivity than normal. That could mean more rest stops and sparse rations until they settle into the routine. Even just offering water to a wired pet can induce vomiting. An ice cube placed in the attached dish in the crate is a good idea to satiate a parched but anxious animal. Later, a large rabbit water bottle type can be used attached to the outside of the cage. Loose dishes spill and become lumpy pillows in your pet's living quarters. Make sure to guarantee a consistent source of your pet's regular diet while traveling, whether that means calling ahead, checking out your brand on websites, or packing it with you. Even bringing a from-home water supply can help acclimate your pet to life on the road.
Many companies that transport animals will close a crate and never open it until it is received and would prefer a long overnight haul to reach a destination so as to avoid having to stop, feed, and handle potty issues, and therefore the risk of escape or further trauma. When dealing with commercial carriers, check out the services they offer in transport, get an idea of their experience in moving animals, and inquire as to what emergency medical contingencies they have, if it is required. They can supply you with their schedule and their requirements and you, along with your vet, can make the decisions necessary for the event.
Good luck and happy travels