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Whether or not to take your pet with you on your travels is a big dilemma faced by many pet owners. However, for the owner of a pet who is in his "advanced years", the decision is even more complex as are its potential ramification.
Your pet's overall emotional and physical health should be your most important consideration before taking your pet on a trip. With middle-aged and elderly pets, a trip to a vet for a full workup is a good idea well before you can make a final decision about packing for your pet. Remember that no matter how much you want your pet along for the trip, it may not be the best thing for his or her health. Pay attention to not just the vet's recommendation but your own instincts. Here are some tips that will help you ease your traveling with elderly pets.
Talk To Your Vet
First, have an honest conversation with your vet regarding your pet's fitness for travel and request a geriatric exam.
No matter how exciting the thought of a big move may be, it's not fair to gamble with the limits of health and safety of your furry family members. So think carefully and critically before going forward with your plans.
Crate Training Is Key
You can work well in advance to assimilate your furry friend to travel in crate. This will help keep their anxiety to a minimum in the actual journey. Putting a familiar item in the crate, such as a favorite blanket or a T-shirt that smells like you, can also help to calm nerves. Using HomeoPet Travel Anxiety can also help in lowering their anxiety and keeping them relaxed.
Go Pet-Friendly
You should do some basic research and choose a pet-friendly airline. Not all carriers are focused on providing pet-oriented services, for example ensuring that animals are the last ones on the plane and the first ones off, so check it out beforehand to ensure your older dog receives the best of care.
Offer Food Mindfully
Many older dogs are finicky eaters or have digestive problems, so be careful about pre-flight diets. Don't feed your dog too close to flying time, and offer only a light meal.
Stay Calm
Since pets can pick up on your vibes and tend to follow your lead in terms of mood and energy level, it's important to set a good example for them by exhibiting a calm demeanor and keeping them on a regular schedule as possible before and after the flight. They'll cope-up with the flight and can easily adjust to their new surroundings, if their lives are not disrupted much.
Above all things and most importantly are - be patient. Watching your dog getting older can be very difficult for you, but imagine the difficulties your dog might be facing. Be patient when they are slower on walks. Be patient when they have potty accidents. Help them in and out of the car when necessary. Your dog wants nothing more than to be with you. Be patient with them when they take a little longer than usual to do things they once did with ease.
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