Travelling with your pet

So you have bought a caravan and are planning to hit the road on a cruisy holiday across Australia. What happens with your favourite furry companion?

It can be tricky to find someone who is happy to take care of your pet for three to four months or you may feel like your trip would be empty without man’s best friend.

Instead of leaving Buddy at home, you can put together a plan that will ensure you enjoy your holiday with your handsome pooch.

First, visit the vet to make sure your pet is fit and healthy, collect any medication for your pet that you need, and ensure that your pet is up to date with vaccinations.

Since your animal is likely to be running around in unfamiliar places with unfamiliar diseases, you should make sure to do flea and worm treatments before you leave and make note of when you next need to provide that treatment again.

Your animal also needs to be microchipped with the right details. You should add those details to the national database, as your

State/Territory database won’t be available nationally.

If you haven’t taken your pet on a holiday before, it might be a good idea to see how they go with a day trip or short weekend away first.

This means your pet can get used to your car or caravan and you can get an idea of how your pet may cope with life on the road. You will also find out any areas in which your pet might need more training, such as recall in an open area or socialising with other dogs.

Going for a long drive can give you an idea of any unique habits you haven’t seen before.

When driving, it is important that your pet is safe and secure in the car.

Some people like to restrain their pets in the car by using a short leash or seatbelt harness. This can be a helpful way to reduce distraction when you are driving or prevent your dog from jumping out a window because they saw something interesting outside of the car.

It’s a good idea to take regular stops so that your pet can go for a bit of a run and empty their bladder, to avoid messy accidents in the car.

When planning your destination, look for pet-friendly accommodation and activities, because not all places will be welcoming of your dog. It’s also important to understand that dogs are not allowed in National Parks, but there are plenty of caravan parks that are ideal for staying with your pet.

Call ahead to caravan parks if you are unsure of their stance on pets from the information on the website, or ask other pet owners you know for recommendations of places they have stayed at before.