The more years you spend with your dog, the more attached you become. This is the reason why senior dogs always hold a special place in our hearts. You might have developed a thousand memories together over the decade you spend together. So, it becomes absolutely difficult to even imagine traveling without your old furry friend. But on the other hand, with aging your dog might have developed a few physical issues too. Hence your senior dog might require some extra care and attention while traveling. But with the right planning and preparation, your dog can travel miles like a pro.
Here we will discuss a few tips to follow while traveling with senior dogs. This way you can make the journey of your old furry friend extremely comfortable and stress-free.
Get a health check-up of your senior dog
you might have grand plans for a magnificent adventure that you just can’t wait to start with. But, before embarking on your journey, just take out some time to visit a veterinarian. It is extremely necessary to take your vet’s permission before you start traveling with your senior pooch. Especially when you are thinking of flying with your pet. Air travel can be very stressful and hence a vet can advise against it under certain circumstances.
Packing for your old dog
Packing is the next most important step to follow before starting the journey. there might be a big list of items that you might consider taking with you while packing your dog’s suitcase. But at the same time, you must not overpack the suitcase with all unnecessary items that are hardly required. So, it’s better to first make a list of all necessary items. Some of the necessary items include:
- Bedding
- Food and toys
- A ramp to help your dog get in and out of the car easily
- Poop bags
- Sufficient water and collapsible water bowl
- Health records of your dog
- Doggy jacket for cold weather
- Belly bands, pee pads, and belly bands
Do your research
Making a little bit of research before starting with your journey can go a long way. If you want the traveling journey a smooth and comfortable one for your senior furry friend, try planning.
You must research the route that you are going to take before getting into the car. You must be informed how many times you can stop along the way if there are any dog parks along the way or if there are rest stops where your dog can poop.
Carry familiar items
Traveling to a completely new place can often make you stressed. As most dogs have a routine life schedule, suddenly breaking the daily schedule can send them into a spin. Hence to help your dog feel more comfortable in a new place with a completely new schedule, carry plenty of familiar items that they use daily. This way they can feel at home. Also, try to maintain a normal diet and don’t overfeed them to avoid anxiety.
Take it slow
The final point that you must always remember while going out with your senior dog is not to rush. Your dog has already gained age and could be quickly drained out of energy. so, rushing unnecessarily will only make your old pup stressed and exhausted.
Whereas, going slow can help your dog feel relaxed and easy. Besides, he can also enjoy the journey. allowing a few breaks in the journey can help your pup get some fresh air and stretch its legs.
The bottom line
Following the above-mentioned tips will ensure a safe and memorable journey with your dog that you can always cherish. Besides, taking preventive measures like carrying CBD oil for dogs and getting the right level of dosage can be a great way to deal with any emergency. But at the same time, you must also take the advice of a vet before beginning your journey.
