THE DOS AND DON’TS OF TRAVELLING WITH YOUR DOG AROUND NEW ZEALAND THIS SUMMER

The Christmas and New Year break is almost here, as many New Zealanders ready for the great escape around the country in search of that little bit of rest and recreation.

Also coming on along for the ride will be countless pets.

Travelling with dogs and cats adds a little more complexity to any journey but with some basic knowledge, all members of the family, even the furry ones, can have a safe and enjoyable getaway.

We spoke with Sally Cory, Head of Veterinary Services for Companion Animals at the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) Te Pae Kīrehe, to get her expert advice on the dos and don’ts of traveling with your dog.

Do take your dog on short car trips before embarking on a long journey

“Some pets struggle with travel—some are fearful of cars, others may get anxious or suffer from motion sickness. It’s important to gradually introduce them to car trips. Starting from a young age is ideal.

“Begin by allowing your dog to get comfortable in a stationary car before progressing to short trips, and only then consider longer journeys.”

Don’t let your dog roam freely in the car

“It’s essential that pets are safely secured in the vehicle. For dogs, this means using a crate, and for cats, a carry cage. This helps ensure their safety and comfort during the trip.”

“Dogs can also be secured with a specific dog seat-belt or the safety harnesses that can be attached to car seat-belts.

“They shouldn’t be loose in vehicles. They certainly shouldn’t be on people’s laps or in foot-wells.”

Don’t let your dog stick their head out of the window

“That’s a big no-no. It can obviously risk significant trauma and eye injuries.”

Do make sure the dog is comfortable

“If you’re using a travel crate, it’s important that your dog is comfortable and the crate is well-ventilated.

“The crate should provide enough space for your dog to stand up, turn around, and rest comfortably.”

Don’t leave your dog alone in a hot car

“Temperatures can soar really quickly in parked vehicles. So never leave dogs unattended in parked vehicles over this time of the year is critical.”

Do take lots of breaks

“It’s really important to just make sure that your take regular breaks, so they get the opportunity to stretch their legs, to sniff around for toilet breaks.

“You will probably want to stop quite frequently just to offer them some water, and depending on the length of the trip, possibly food as well.”

Do chat to your vets beforehand if your dog gets car sick

“Definitely worthwhile talking to your vet teams about some options just to help alleviate some of those symptoms. We don’t advocate for specifically sedating pets using any sort of sedative-type medications for travel, because they can be quite unpredictable, and they can also they do have the risk of some fairly significant side effects as well.”

Do make sure your accommodation is dog-friendly

“That’s definitely something you should check first. Otherwise, you’ll be left scrambling to find another boarding facility nearby, which, as you can imagine, is much harder to do during the busy months.

“So, it’s crucial to ensure that the place you’re going is not only suitable but also safe for your dog—things like secure fencing and the proximity to pools or other bodies of water are important to consider.”

Do your homework

“If your pets are on any specific medications, plan ahead and make sure that you do have adequate amounts of medication to see you through that trip.

“Also, it’s worthwhile beforehand finding out where the local veterinary clinic is and checking out what their opening hours are going to be, particularly over the holiday period. Just in case there’s any unforeseen things or emergencies that you need to deal with.”