Submitted by Nick Burton
Looking forward to traveling with your furry family members? Taking a trip with your dog can be a bonding experience for you both, but you need to plan ahead in order to avoid problems. You can also cut down on trip costs by mapping out your dog-friendly travels ahead of time. To help you get started, here are some travel hacks and tricks that can help you make the most of your travels with pets without pushing trip expense over a tight budget.
Get Travel Gear for Your Pup Without Going Over Budget
Being prepared with some handy travel supplies can make trips more comfortable for your dog and even more convenient for you. You may be wondering how you can pick up the travel gear your dog needs without breaking the bank. Well, you can score deals on things like travel bowls, pet carriers, and extra leashes by shopping for pet supplies with online retailers, which, of course, includes Amazon. Not only does Amazon offer amazing prices on travel pet gear but you can also use Amazon coupon codes for additional discounts on your online orders. If you will be traveling by car with your pup, consider using those promo codes and coupons to pick up a top-rated booster seat keep your dog safe and secure while you’re driving.
Hire a Local Pet Sitter to Prevent Paying for Damages to Hotels
Thinking of leaving your dog alone in a hotel room? You may want to think again, especially if your dog has an issue with separation anxiety. When dogs get anxious, they can channel that nervous energy into destructive behavior. Since dogs tend to get nervous in new places anyhow, leaving your pup unattended could leave you liable for any damages to furniture, carpet, beds, or walls. You could also be in trouble if your dog barks and disturbs other hotel guests. To prevent these issues from causing you stress, connect with pet sitters in Charleston to find someone who can stay with your dog when you need to be away on vacation.
Look for Natural, Cost-Effective Remedies to Relieve Pet Anxiety
Even if you find dog-friendly accommodations and a local sitter, your pup may still have troubles adjusting to traveling. Some dogs are just more anxious and may need additional help feeling calm and safe while in the car, hotels, or strange environments. Some anxiety-relievers you can try during your travels include playing relaxing music for your pup, giving him/her a calming massage or altering your routine to burn off excess energy. If those tricks don’t seem to work for your dog, you may need to ask your vet for further suggestions. You can ask your vet whether using essential oils may help and whether these are safe to use for your pet. Diffusing scents such as lavender can soothe your dog’s anxiety on trips with no side effects, but allowing your dog to ingest oils should only be done after consulting your vet.
Fill Pet Prescriptions Online to Save Money on Meds for Your Trip
Before you head away from home, be sure you have stocked up on any preventatives or medications your dog will need for the road. It’s no secret that you can save on pet medications by shopping online, but take the proper steps to make sure those meds are safe. Most vets will be happy to point you in the direction of reputable online pet pharmacies or may even write a prescription for you to pick up at a local pharmacy. While you are at the pharmacy, be sure to pick up some supplies to put together a travel first-aid kit for your dog. You may also want to bring some hydrogen peroxide along, which can be useful if your dog eats something that is potentially toxic, like chewing gum with xylitol or items that could obstruct the bowels.
Planning a trip with your dog doesn’t have to stress you out. It also doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You just need to plan ahead to avoid travel problems with your dog and to make sure you don’t encounter unexpected expenses along the way.
