Table of Contents
Summary ✍️
Travelling with your bud can be fun and rewarding—but for many pups, the journey itself can cause stress and anxiety. Whether it’s a short car ride or a long flight, travel anxiety is common. This guide explains how to spot travel anxiety in dogs, why it happens, and practical, easy tips for stress-free travel with anxious dogs. You'll learn at least 7 ways to help your furry friend feel calm, safe, and happy on the road or in the air.
Key Takeaways 🔑
Travel anxiety can show through whining, panting, trembling, and restlessness.
Preparation and practice trips help your dog get used to travelling.
Safe gear, calming routines, and healthy treats support stress-free travel.
Consult your vet for severe anxiety or medical concerns.
Healthybud Calming Aid Chews are a perfect natural support for travel stress.
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$16.00 CAD
Aidez à apaiser le stress, l'anxiété et l'énergie nerveuse—naturellement. Ces mastics doux et fonctionnels sont riches en Reishi, Ashwagandha et Camomille pour aider votre chien à rester calme naturellement (sans CBD !)… read more
Jet, Set, Woof! Stress-Free Travel with Anxious Dogs ✈️
Bringing your bud along on a trip is a wonderful way to include your furry family member in your adventures and create lasting memories together. However, travelling with pets adds a few important tasks to your pre-vacation checklist.
Whether you’re planning a short drive to the cottage, a road trip across the province, or flying across the country or even internationally, travelling with dogs requires thoughtful preparation. From packing the right supplies to understanding your dog’s unique needs, taking these extra steps can make a big difference.
The good news? With a little planning and some helpful tips, your pup can safely and comfortably join you for the ride—whether that’s in a car, on a plane, or even a boat. In this guide, we’ll share our top five tips to help ensure your dog’s travel experience is as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.
What causes travel anxiety in dogs? 🐶
Travel anxiety is pretty common in dogs and usually kicks in when they’re dealing with anything travel-related—car rides, plane trips, boat outings, or even moving between places they know and new spots.
Travel anxiety in dogs can come from a mix of things. It might be the motion of the car or plane making them feel queasy, strange sounds and sights that are new or overwhelming, or feeling confined in a crate or carrier. Sometimes, it’s just the stress of being away from their safe, familiar home environment.
Dogs who’ve had tough experiences travelling before, puppies still getting used to the world, or rescue dogs with past trauma can be especially sensitive. Understanding these causes helps you support your pup and makes travel with anxious dogs less stressful.
Signs of Travel Anxiety in Dogs ⚠️
Travel anxiety can show up in a variety of ways, and knowing what to look for can help you spot it early. Dogs with travel anxiety may:
Whine, bark, or vocalize frequently
Pant excessively or drool
Pace or show restlessness
Tremble or shake
Try to escape from their carrier or seat
Vomit or have diarrhea during or after travel
Appear to look frozen
7 Must-Know Tips to Help Your Dog Travel Calm and Safe 🗺️
One of the best ways to reduce anxiety is to get your dog used to travel gear and routines well before your trip. Here are Healthybud’s top tips for stress-free travel with anxious dogs:
🔍 Do your research early
Once you decide on a trip, do your research on your dog’s needs well in advance. Looking up the rules for flights, boats, and your destination right away can save you stress (and money!) later on.
Here are a few things to check in advance:
What is the airline’s policy on dogs in the cabin?
Does the hotel or Airbnb allow guests to bring pets?
What will it cost to bring my dog along?
Am I allowed to travel with my dog to my out-of-country destination?
👩🏽⚕️ Talk to your vet
Meet your vet to ensure your pet is not only safe to travel, but able to handle the kind of trip you’re taking. Make sure an older dog, or one with arthritis, can handle a long trip in a carrier or crate. Flying is more difficult for pets with pushed-in snouts, like bulldogs or pugs. If you’re unsure about bringing your dog along at all, get your veterinarian’s advice. They know your pup and can help you balance the different factors to consider. Always ask for a recommendation of another vet at your destination, just in case.
🐶 Keep your dog safe in the car
If you’re travelling by car, make sure your dog is secure in your vehicle. The safest way to travel with a dog is with them in a crate, in the backseat, anchored to the seatbelt or another part of the seat. There are soft carriers and belt attachments on the market designed for dogs and car travel. But a crate provides your dog with the best protection in case of a collision. And of course, no matter what time of year it is or what the weather is like, never leave your dog in your car unattended.
👫 Bring along a buddy
If you can, bring along a (human!) travel companion. Travelling alone with your dog is doable, but having a travel buddy makes things easier! It’s helpful to have an extra pair of hands for getting your dog through airport security. Also, you and your road-trip buddy can take turns going to the bathroom and keeping your pup company.
✅ Pack the essentials
Pack your bag with everything your dog will need for your planned travel time. Then put in some extras, in case of trip delays like cancelled flights or slow traffic. Think about items like toys, poop bags, pee pads, and any medication your dog needs. And don’t forget important documents, like proof of vaccination. Include water, extra treats, and food for meals. Meal Bites from Healthybud, like Freeze-Dried Turkey Meal Bites, are mess-free and perfect for travel.
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😊 Visit rest stops when driving
Build extra time into your trip for pee breaks and stretches outside the crate or carrier. A more comfortable travel buddy is a happier one! Once you get to your destination, make sure to work time for walks or trips to local dog parks into your daily plans.
🦴 Use calming aids
Natural calming supplements can really help dogs who get travel anxiety. Healthybud Duck Calming Aid Chews blend gentle ingredients like chamomile, reishi, and ashwagandha to soothe your pup’s nerves without making them sleepy. Giving your dog a chew about 30 minutes before hitting the road can ease stress and make the trip smoother for both of you. Just remember to follow the dosage directions and check with your vet if your dog is taking other meds.
Besides supplements, create a calming vibe during travel: play soft music or white noise to drown out stressful sounds, keep the temperature comfy, dim bright lights, and bring along chew toys or fun distractions to keep your pup happily occupied.
BONUS TIP! When going on long flights, we find it helpful to avoid feeding your dog a meal that day. (Fasting can also be healthy for dogs, just like it is for humans, so don’t worry too much about them being a little extra hungry!) It’ll help them be more attentive when you do offer a treat in exchange for a cue and it lowers the chance that they have an accident while in transit since they won’t have much in their stomach. Give them some water, but not too much!
#DYK? 💭
Bringing your dog on a flight? You can thank Gayle Martz and her Shih Tzu for making that possible!
Back in 1989, Gayle—a flight attendant—wanted to bring her furry best friend along for a plane trip. But the rules back then mostly banned dogs from airplane cabins. Instead of giving up, Gayle got creative. She designed a carrier that fit perfectly under airplane seats and then convinced airlines to change their policies.
Because of her persistence, travelling with your pup by plane is now easier and safer than ever. Sure, bringing your dog along might mean a bit more planning and extra time, but it also gives you a chance to slow down and enjoy the journey together.
FAQ: Travel with Anxious Dogs Edition 🧳
Q: Can I train my dog to not be anxious during travel?
A: Yes! Gradual exposure combined with positive reinforcement and short practice trips helps many dogs adjust.
Q: Is medication safe for travel anxiety?
A: Some medications or natural supplements can help, but always consult your vet first.
Q:How do I know if it’s motion sickness or anxiety?
A: Vomiting and drooling are common in both, but anxiety includes restlessness, pacing, and vocalizing.
Q: What if my dog refuses to get in the car?
A: Take time with gradual exposure, reward calm behaviour, and consider calming aids. Consult a trainer if needed.
Conclusion 📍
Travelling with your dog can be a wonderful experience if you prepare carefully and support your pup’s emotional and physical needs. From packing the right gear to using calming treats like Healthybud Calming Aid Chews, you can ease anxiety and make travel a fun adventure for your whole family, including four-legged family members.
Calming Aid (Canard)
$16.00 CAD
Aidez à apaiser le stress, l'anxiété et l'énergie nerveuse—naturellement. Ces mastics doux et fonctionnels sont riches en Reishi, Ashwagandha et Camomille pour aider votre chien à rester calme naturellement (sans CBD !)… read more
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Author Bio:
Tanya Lim is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA®) and the founder of Family Pupz, a dog training and doggy doula services company, based in Denver, CO. Specializing in positive-reinforcement and force-free training, Tanya has been working with dogs since 2013, helping dog parents raise well-behaved and happy pups. A Fear-Free Certified Trainer, Tanya is passionate about empowering dog owners with the skills and knowledge they need to live harmoniously with their canine companions.
