If you’re thinking of vacationing with your four-legged fur babies in these tough times, bookmark this short pet travel guide and checklist to make planning a breeze. By Tanveer Taj and Priyanka Jena
Pandemic or no pandemic, our furry kids need their regular dose of nature time for a healthy mental and physical being. Our pets— dogs Cruise and Frodo; and Noorie, the cat—have been raised to love the outdoors and adventurous life. Just like us, they get dull and groggy if they have stayed in the city for too long. Hence, we make it a point to travel out once at least every 15 days. However, the current pandemic situation poses real challenges to travel with or without pets.
To be honest, from pre-pandemic to now, our travel style has not changed much. We have always preferred road trips with our own house on wheels, and ensured we are completely self sufficient in terms of what we need for our trip such as essentials, food, first aid kit, etc.
Plan, Plan, Plan
Going ahead, this is the most important skill to hone while travelling with pets. Think of everything that could go wrong and be prepared with essentials in your car. This is also the time to go all out and start camping. Drive to find a nice picturesque spot, set up your base, build a fire, get the barbecue going, enjoy the open air, and watch your furry kids frolic around. Carry enough food, water and music to make it the perfect holiday. There is a different charm in cooking your own food out in the wild. India also has lots of great brands available for the outdoors that can help plan a nice camping weekend.
However if camping is not your thing, then there are loads of beautiful and quaint pet-friendly properties suitable for all budgets across the country. We always pick places that are family-run set ups, ideally far from the city and tucked away in nature. This works great even during the ongoing pandemic. We avoid big busy resorts and like to have our quiet family time in nature.
It is important to maintain social distancing. Keep your self, pets and surroundings clean; and wear a mask when interacting with people outside your family bubble. If we are responsible, we can still enjoy the bounty of nature with our pets. Just be self-sufficient and plan well.
Pet Travel Checklist
- Plan your route and stops
- Carry enough wet and dry foods
- Pack extra towels
- Opt for collapsable or spill-free water bowls
- Keep doggy blankets or warmers (if you are going for a snow hike)
- Bring a lifejacket if you are going to a lake and your pets don’t not know how to swim
- Don’t forget a first aid kit for pets
- Carry extra leashes
- Purchase night reflector collars
- Pack pet shampoo
- Invest in a portable dog bed
- Bring along toys like balls, frisbee, etc
Related: How To Travel With Your Pet In India (By Air, Rail) During The Pandemic
