Travelling with Pets: Top Travel & Safety Tips

Everyone needs a break – even our beloved pets. Use this Travelling With Pets article to guide you and the family on a safe, happy and relaxing holiday – starting with what to pack. You’ll need food, bowls, leads, toys, kitty litter, poo bags, water, bedding, collars – and of course, parasite protection.

Preparation is the key to any vacation, so make sure your pet is up to date with all vaccinations, worming and parasite control before you head off.

Before you go

Tags and microchips will help identify your pet in case it gets lost – talk to your vet about the benefits of microchipping. Make sure your mobile phone details are correct so you can be contacted if your pet goes missing.

Travelling north or to a hot and humid location? Trimming your pet’s hair will help keep them cool and make it easier to find ticks.

School Holidays are popular times for camping – be aware of dangerous holiday destinations with potential risks like snakes and Paralysis ticks. Find pet friendly accommodation and check for any restrictions regarding beaches, parks and popular attractions – click here for more pet friendly locations.

Order enough medication and pack a pet first aid kit including dilute antiseptic (betadine) and a clean bandage – find out the local vet’s contact details in the place you’re travelling to in case of emergency.

If you can’t travel with your pet ask neighbours, relatives or friends to pet-sit or consider a local vet or boarding kennel for dogs and cats.

Travelling by car

The best way to transport pets is in a specially designed carrier or cage, which should have good ventilation, plenty of room to move about and a secure door. Dogs can also be restrained by wearing a safety harness that attaches them to a seat belt – never leave dogs or cats loose inside a moving vehicle as they could both cause an accident and be badly injured.

For longer journeys, here are some hints to ensure a pleasant, stress-free trip:

• Don’t feed your pet just before they travel in the car
• Stop every 2-3 hours for a toilet break, exercise and fresh air
• Sunburn can be a danger – apply a pet-friendly UV cream daily and use a blind or towel to shield your pet from the sun

Prevention is always better than cure

Less than 6 minutes in a car can kill a dog. Even with windows left open, the temperature inside a car quickly rises. Dogs cool themselves by panting, but this isn’t effective in high temperatures, leading to heat exhaustion and without fast treatment, death.

So never leave your pet unattended in a hot car – even if the windows are down and always take a water container to quench your pet’s thirst when you stop

Travelling by plane

You’ll need to have your pet thoroughly examined, wormed and vaccinated by a vet before being approved for air travel

Dogs and cats usually go in cargo – assistance and seeing-eye dogs are allowed in the cabin

Travelling North

The warmth and humidity of Queensland, Northern Territory, Northwest Australia and the East Coast of New South Wales mean these regions pose a higher parasite risk for pets

Paralysis ticks, heartworm, hookworm, leptospira, fleas, mosquitoes and Sandflies are more prevalent the further north you go

How do I keep my dog safe from ticks?

We understand the importance of parasite prevention when travelling with pets, so use our handy hints to enjoy a tick-free holiday:

• Take particular care when bush-walking and visiting the beach
• Perform daily tick checks – run your fingers through your pet’s coat over their skin feeling for abnormal bumps
• Pay particular attention to the head and neck, chest, between their toes and around their mouths and gums
• If you do notice a tick remove it immediately and continue looking for more – keep it for identification by a vet if you can
• Contact your vet immediately, particularly if your pet is showing signs of tick toxicity like changes in bark, weakness in legs, excessive panting and vomiting
• Use your thumb and index finger or tweezers placed close to the skin to remove the tick by twisting and pulling

Prevent tick emergencies with Advantix

The best way to prevent ticks harming – and potentially killing – your dog is to repel them using Advantix fortnightly.

• Advantix kills and repels deadly Paralysis ticks, Brown Dog ticks and Bush ticks before they bite
• Kills fleas and lice, kills and repels mosquitoes and Sandflies, and repels Stable flies
• Easy to use spot-on application for dogs of all sizes and puppies from 7 weeks of age
• Treat your dog twice with Advantix prior to the onset of tick season or a holiday with potential tick exposure

What are the warning signs of paralysis tick poisoning?

• Lethargy
• Weak hind legs
• Loss of appetite
• Laboured breathing
• Changes in bark
• Progression to coma

Remember to check your dog for ticks daily and if you suspect tick paralysis seek immediate veterinary treatment. Please talk to your pet health professional about tick prevention products for cats.