If you enjoy a good road trip, you may wonder if your senior pet can come along for the fun. Leaving them behind in a kennel and missing out on the adventure seems unfair, but travel has some dangers for senior pets. Following these dos and don'ts, you can help ensure your senior pet stays safe on your next car trip.
DO consider your senior pet's health
Before setting off, your veterinarian should perform a wellness check on your senior pet to ensure they are up to the excursion. Their vaccinations should be current, and they should be receiving year-round heartworm, flea, and tick prevention. Ensure you bring any medications your senior pet may need while on the trip. Consider microchipping them to help ensure you are reunited if you become separated. Take your senior pet for car rides in the car before your trip to ensure they do not suffer from motion sickness. A long car trip is not in their best interest if your pet is significantly affected by this condition.
DON'T set a rigid schedule for your senior pet
You may usually plan your car trips by scheduling rest stops every two hours or based on service station locations. When your senior pet is along for the ride, pay attention to their cues, and stop accordingly. They may take some time to get comfortable; once they are settled, you do not want to interrupt them. Wait until your pet signals they are restless before stopping. If you stop for gas and they are resting, do not force them to go for a walk. You may have to make more stops traveling this way, but your senior pet will be happier.
DO make your senior pet's environment as familiar as possible
Senior pets like a routine and feel less stress when their familiar objects and items are close. Keep their eating and sleeping schedules as normal as possible, and bring along their favorite bedding, toys, and treats. Sudden changes in diet can cause gastrointestinal upset, so ensure you have enough food to last the entire trip. Also, bring along bottled water and a water bowl, and offer frequent drinks.
DON'T leave finding accommodations for you and your senior pet to chance
Before starting your trip, research where you will stay each night. Ensure the location allows pets, and have a backup plan if something goes awry. If your senior pet is arthritic and too large to carry, ensure your hotel has an elevator or your room is ground-level. At each stop, locate a 24-hour veterinary clinic in case your senior pet experiences a medical emergency and requires immediate attention.
DO consider your senior pet's comfort
Long car rides can become uncomfortable, especially for older passengers. Provide bedding, such as a memory foam or orthopedic pet bed, that will prevent them from becoming too stiff and painful. If your dog is too large to carry comfortably, ensure you bring a pet ramp so they can get in and out without jumping, which could hurt their arthritic joints or cause injury.
DON'T allow your senior pet to become overheated
Senior pets have a harder time regulating their body temperature and are more prone to heat exhaustion. Watch them carefully for signs such as excessive panting, drooling, lethargy, incoordination, vomiting, and collapse. If they begin showing these signs, take them to a cool, well-ventilated area, and take their temperature using a rectal thermometer. Temperatures higher than 103 degrees are concerning, and higher than 105 indicate heatstroke. If your senior pet's temperature is concerningly high, rush them to a veterinary hospital immediately, offering them water and sponging them with cool water while en route.
DO pack your patience when your senior pet is your traveling companion
Realize that you may face problems along the way, and remain calm when resolving these issues. Try not to let your senior pet see your annoyance at other drivers or traffic delays. They look to you for comfort and will become stressed and anxious if you are stressed and anxious.
When your pet's traveling days are behind them, you may decide that veterinary hospice care is right for their remaining days. Call our office at (802) 871-2329 to find out how to ensure your pet's final days are peaceful.
