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SAFETY TIPS FOR TRAVELING WITH CATS & DOGS IN A CRISIS
Crate train your dogs AND cats!
Carrier/crate training is tremendously useful when traveling (and day-to-day). If you think you might have to travel in a crisis, get them used to carriers & crates now. It will help. A lot.
Crate train your dogs AND cats!
Carrier/crate training is tremendously useful when traveling (and day-to-day). If you think you might have to travel in a crisis, get them used to carriers & crates now. It will help. A lot.
It makes grabbing cats & going easier (relatively). It allows you to prevent destructive behavior in a hotel/someone else's home.
Note: the use of carriers & crates isn't 100% the same for cats & dogs, but it's incredibly useful for both in their own way.
Some basic tips:
Note: the use of carriers & crates isn't 100% the same for cats & dogs, but it's incredibly useful for both in their own way.
Some basic tips:
• leave carriers/crates out & open 24/7 tucked in a corner
• put an old towel(s) inside to make 'em comfy
• for cats, sprinkle catnip or silvervine inside (freshen every few days)
• set food & water next to (or in for dogs)
• toss treats in here & there throughout the day
• put an old towel(s) inside to make 'em comfy
• for cats, sprinkle catnip or silvervine inside (freshen every few days)
• set food & water next to (or in for dogs)
• toss treats in here & there throughout the day
If you can get them to retrieve treats from the back with you sitting next to them & w/o them being frantic about grabbing the snacks and skedaddling, practice closing the door behind them. To start: quickly (but calmly) close, treat, open. Don't worry about latching it at first.
Only let them out if they're not fussing.
DO NOT reach into the carrier/crate! This can be scary for them.
You can build how long you keep the door shut in small increments, but at least try to get them to go in w/ you latching the gate w/o force. It will make a big difference.
DO NOT reach into the carrier/crate! This can be scary for them.
You can build how long you keep the door shut in small increments, but at least try to get them to go in w/ you latching the gate w/o force. It will make a big difference.
Note that the more you have to take them in and out on the road, the more resistant they may get. Make sure you are always giving them treats every time they go in, and especially when you shut them in.
If you have more tips for crate training cats, please drop 'em below!
If you have more tips for crate training cats, please drop 'em below!
More tips for traveling with cats & dogs in a crisis (apply as feasible):
• have their medical records already in the car, ESPECIALLY rabies vaccine
• have collars on them w/ up-to-date tags
• calming collars (sentry for either, or adaptil for dogs) & feliway spray for cats
• have their medical records already in the car, ESPECIALLY rabies vaccine
• have collars on them w/ up-to-date tags
• calming collars (sentry for either, or adaptil for dogs) & feliway spray for cats
• have in the car AHEAD OF TIME: harness/seatbelt for dogs, dry treats (less likely to go bad), wet food (won't go bad), paper plates/bowls, travel bowl for water, disposable litter pans, paper towels, pet wipes, enzymatic cleaner, extra towels/pillow cases/ripped up sheets/etc.
• bungee cords or other ways to secure carriers in place in the car
• zip ties & carabiners; you can reinforce carrier/crate joints & door (w/ carabiners) in case your pet is prone to escaping them
• zip ties & carabiners; you can reinforce carrier/crate joints & door (w/ carabiners) in case your pet is prone to escaping them
• if your dog is not a resource guarder: lasting chews (bully sticks & trachea are great, but pricey), slow feeders, kongs & peanut butter - obviously err on the side of caution when it comes to food in close quarters with people and/or other animals. You know your pups best!
• TOYS! Play helps lower coristol levels (the stress hormone). This includes with your cats. Whenever time and travel permit, play with them.
Your animals will be STRESSED. This *may* lead to skittishness & defensiveness. Overstimulation can manifest in mouthiness.
Your animals will be STRESSED. This *may* lead to skittishness & defensiveness. Overstimulation can manifest in mouthiness.
Additional tips for handling stress & fear:
• give your dogs enrichment (play, toys, chews, kongs, etc.) spread throughout the day as much as possible
• give cats & dogs some treats throughout the day, especially when you're in the car for long stretches
• give your dogs enrichment (play, toys, chews, kongs, etc.) spread throughout the day as much as possible
• give cats & dogs some treats throughout the day, especially when you're in the car for long stretches
• thundershirts; as with the crates, get them used to wearing them beforehand
• muzzles; if your dog has any history of defensiveness, get them desensitized to a muzzle ASAP (check out Muzzle Up! Project for tips https://muzzleupproject.com/muzzle-training/); you may be around a lot of strangers
• muzzles; if your dog has any history of defensiveness, get them desensitized to a muzzle ASAP (check out Muzzle Up! Project for tips https://muzzleupproject.com/muzzle-training/); you may be around a lot of strangers
• drag leash; when loose in new environments, leave a lightweight leash attached to your dog's collar/harness. This gives you a quicker, easier, safer point of contact in a pinch. (Grabbing a collar directly is SCARY, esp. if the dog is stressed, and can result in defense.)
• caution/mindfulness around doors!
• minimize interaction w/ new people & animals; even super social pets are going to be under a lot of pressure, and adding the stimulation of meeting new friends (even positively) in a high stress situation can quickly exacerbate that stress
• minimize interaction w/ new people & animals; even super social pets are going to be under a lot of pressure, and adding the stimulation of meeting new friends (even positively) in a high stress situation can quickly exacerbate that stress
• martingale/"no slip" collars
• waist leash; if your pup is easily overwhelmed & prone to skittishness, or bolts when spooked, backing up their collar/harness to a waist leash (even if you still hold the regular leash) keeps them attached if they pull the leash from your hand
• waist leash; if your pup is easily overwhelmed & prone to skittishness, or bolts when spooked, backing up their collar/harness to a waist leash (even if you still hold the regular leash) keeps them attached if they pull the leash from your hand
More tips:
• if & when you have to clean the cat carrier, do so in a SECURED CLOSED AREA (whether that's a hotel room, a bedroom, bathroom, or in the car itself)
• be as patient & calm as possible with them; easier said than done, but they absolutely feed off our stress
• if & when you have to clean the cat carrier, do so in a SECURED CLOSED AREA (whether that's a hotel room, a bedroom, bathroom, or in the car itself)
• be as patient & calm as possible with them; easier said than done, but they absolutely feed off our stress
I'm sure there's more but it's 1:30 am and I'm v tired. If anyone else has additional tips, please please please feel free to drop them. If I think of anything else, I'll add on.
Feel free to ask questions. I'm a dog behavior trainer by trade.
RT to help others!
Stay safe
Feel free to ask questions. I'm a dog behavior trainer by trade.
RT to help others!
Stay safe
I forgot poop bags & trash bags 
Please pick up your pets' waste and dispose of it appropriately.
Also obviously if you're able to grab your pets' regular food on the way out, do that. I mention having wet food in the car ahead of time in case that's not possible.
Please pick up your pets' waste and dispose of it appropriately.Also obviously if you're able to grab your pets' regular food on the way out, do that. I mention having wet food in the car ahead of time in case that's not possible.
Medication!!! Keep your pets' meds consolidated and somewhere easy to access so you can grab them quickly.
I moved 1400 miles with these two back in December. Bonus story of my cat disappearing in the hotel room the first night (and me gushing about the beauty of muzzles):
https://twitter.com/tripleAqueer/status/1238374125460238336
https://twitter.com/tripleAqueer/status/1238374125460238336
This thread was prompted by a tweet I saw going around about how someone was only able to grab one of their cats before they were forced to flee their home. I am hoping this information helps folks to avoid that heartache. 
More great tips! It’s also possible your pups may not eat a lot either. 2 or 3 days for medium-to-large dogs isn’t the end of the world. https://twitter.com/ladymixerlot/status/1303702789890158592
