My family and I will soon be moving to Texas from California. My two dogs have been apart of the family for 12 years. Any suggestions on traveling from California to TX with two med. sized dogs?
2006-06-23 17:36:41 · 8 answers · asked by mr. techguy_101 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I was thinking about the airplane, but my wife worries about their safety.
2006-06-23 17:37:17 · update #1
My bro told me I should just buy/rent a trailer and hitch it to the back of my car and tow the dogs that way. I told him that would harm them, wouldn't it?
2006-06-23 17:45:10 · update #2
Air travel is perfectly safe for dogs as long as you make sure you do the research on the airlines policy about pets. Otherwise if someone is driving allow them to take the dogs in the car along with them stop ever so often and let the dogs out for a stretch and walk then go about your way. About the same way you have to do with kids lol.
2006-06-23 17:40:56 · answer #1 · answered by shellshell 4 · 8⤊ 1⤋
Airplanes should be okay, but I would check with the airlines about the cargo hold conditions in whatever model jet you would be taking for that flight. Also the regulations about how long you will need to be away from your dogs, and what you need to do to ensure the best trip for them. Talk to the vet as well for advice.
Why not just drive? Make it a relaxing trip, one where you stop at rest stops along the way to take a short walk. You will need to forego traditional restaurants if you don't want to leave the dogs alone in the car (and you don't - temps can rise quickly and dogs have died that way), but picnics or fast food work well. If you need to spend the night on the way, if you call ahead and make reservations, you should be able to find a motel or b&b that will accept dogs. More of them are doing so. Be sure you put a jug of water in the car and a bowl, so that you can give the dogs a drink occasionally.
Be sure to carry their papers in the car, have them micro chipped in case of any problems, and a tag on their collars giving a current phone number as well as your and their name. You never know, and an ounce of prevention...
Either way, best of luck!
Update on trailer: why not put luggage etc in the trailer and let the dogs ride with you? I would rather do that than have them bumped around for that long of a trip especially if they are not used to it. You want to get them to their new home with as little stress as possible, after all they are part of the family!
2006-06-24 00:47:04 · answer #2 · answered by still learning at 56 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Airlines are the safest way to travel. Less stress on the doggies too. I suggest you book a non stop flight, that way you don't have to worry about changing planes, connections and all that jazz. You will need health certificates. I suggest you call the airline for all their regulations about shipping animals. Then call the vet and make an appointment to get a health certificate. They expire 10 days after they are issued so plan accordingly.
If your poochies are the least bit nervous or anxious souls, consider sedatives. Do a trial run on meds to see if the have a bad reaction.
Everything should be OK
2006-06-24 00:45:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure about traveling with them by plane. They will have to be in the cargo hold for a long time. If traveling by car, just make sure that you take them for lots of walks. Make sure they have plenty of water, and feed small meals instead of large ones, so they will not get car sick. Never leave them alone in a hot car.
2006-06-24 00:41:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Continental has a program called Pet Safe (or something similar). You can check it out on their web site.
If you think they will be stressed traveling by car - ask your vet for a mild sedative - a comon one is acepromazine.
2006-06-24 00:51:21 · answer #5 · answered by Mustang Gal 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put your dogs in their crates. put crates in the trailer. stop every 4 hours to let the dogs have a drink of water and go pee.
2006-06-24 10:18:04 · answer #6 · answered by romance_german_shepherds 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go with the air plane i think there is something where you take your dogs with you or something like that... i don't know call the air port or something lol sorry if i didn't help or something lol jk
2006-06-24 00:39:39 · answer #7 · answered by Awesome Kai 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dog carriers. frequent stops to let them run and uh...do their thing.
2006-06-24 00:38:59 · answer #8 · answered by Gabby_Gabby_Purrsalot 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋