Reduce Separation Anxiety When Traveling with Dogs
Guest Blog by: Sadie Cornelius
Helpful Tips on How to Reduce Separation Anxiety When Traveling With Dogs
Vacationing with pets can be exciting. There’s nothing better than having your fur companion with you for the journey. Or perhaps you and your pup are moving to a new location. Despite the fun associated with these changes, even humans can get homesick and suffer while on the go (let alone your pet). I’ve personally taken my Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with me on several trips and can attest to these tips. They will help to ensure your pup has a better quality experience while traveling. (Important note: these tips are specific to dogs and are not necessarily recommended for cats or other pets).
- Use A ThunderShirt – ThunderShirts are popular for pups who suffer from fear of thunderstorms and fireworks, but they also come in handy in other stressful situations. Whilst we do not recommend fitting your pup with a Thundershirt during travel in their crates, we definitely recommend it in the lead up to the travel and afterward when they are settling into their new home. These tight-fitting jackets have adjustable fasteners that compresses much like Spandex does for humans. The concept of using pressure to relieve anxiety has been used in medicine for humans for years. This concept is also put to use with psychiatric dogs who are trained to lie on top of their autistic or PTSD masters to help relieve anxiety by applying bodyweight.
- Try Essential Oils – Many essential oils have health-related healing properties, but lavender oil, in particular, is a safe and gentle solution for dogs (and humans) who have anxiety. Gently rub a few drops (dosage and dilution depends on the size of the dog) into your dog’s fur while massaging their ears. Additionally, many of the benefits of lavender aromatherapy can be enjoyed by you and your dog, making for extra special bonding time.
- Surround Fido WIth Familiarity – Surround your dog with familiar objects like their blanket or an old shirt of yours that has your scent, giving them a feeling of security. Even a lightly worn sock will do (as long as it’s not too smelly and you don’t mind if they chew it up!).
- Create A Sense Of Home – If you can’t travel with your dog’s usual bed, designate a special place that’s all their own. Make a pile of pillows for them to cozy into on the floor or sofa with their favorite items. Does your dog particularly like to be in its crate? Create a makeshift “den” using a chair with a blanket or sheet draped over it, leaving an opening on one side so they can crawl in.
- When In Doubt, Get The Treats Out – Despite your best efforts, is your pet still sad? Good ol’ treats should do the trick. In addition to a little snack to cheer them up, a Kong filled with peanut butter or another long-lasting bone will keep them distracted, making them forget their fears.
Learn more about tips for traveling with dogs at: https://www.caninejournal.com/travel-with-pets/
About the Author:
Sadie is writing on behalf of https://www.caninejournal.com/, https://www.loveyourdog.com/ and https://www.loveyourcat.com/. She graduated from the Moody School of Communications at the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelors in Advertising and minor in Business. She is currently dog mom to Lexie, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. As a professional dog sitter for more than a decade, Sadie has cared for dozens of canines of various breeds, sizes and temperaments. The responsibility of caring for others’ pets has helped her understand the importance of giving animals a loving home. She has been covering dog-related topics since 2012 and is proud to share her latest personal experience, resources and information with fellow pet parents.
Need Assistance Transporting a Pet?
At Pet Express we look after your furry friends like they are members of our own family. We assist you every step of the way and are always available to answer any questions you may have about this stressful and often confusing process. You can Request a Pet Travel Quote Online or feel free to give us a call or send us an email and one of our expert pet travel consultants will go through any concerns and queries you may have with you.
