Travelling with your greyhound can be a fun and exciting experience, but it can require careful planning and preparation (at least in the beginning!). Here are some tips to help make travelling with your greyhound a smooth and stress-free experience for everyone involved.
Our beautiful foster, Diablo :).
- Make sure your greyhound is comfortable with travel
Before embarking on a trip with your greyhound, make sure they are comfortable with being in the car. I normally recommend getting them used to the outside of the car first, without even having the engine running. If they respond well to this, open the door and let them into the area that they will be in when they will eventually travel. If they’re comfortable sitting in the stationary car, you’re ready to take it to the next level! Start the car, and if they’re still happy go for a short drive (I’m talking a few minutes). If all is progressing well, you can go for a longer drive.
Be guided by your hound! If they are starting to show signs of being stressed (excessive panting, standing up/pacing/drooling excessively), let them out and try again another time. We don’t want to create negative associations with car trips, so it’s important not to push them beyond their limits.
- Ensure your greyhound is properly restrained
It’s important to ensure that your greyhound is properly restrained while travelling to ensure their safety. A properly fitting dog harness or crate can help prevent your greyhound from getting injured in the event of an accident. Alternatively using an adjustable pet barrier can help to keep your hound safely in the back of the car while you travel.
- Bring your greyhound’s favourite items
Bringing your greyhound’s favourite items, such as their bed or blanket, can help them feel more comfortable and at ease during travel. Be sure to make it nice and comfy for them with thick bedding/blankets and a few favourite toys so it is an appealing place for them to spend time in.
- Pack food and water
It’s important to bring your greyhound’s food and some water with you when travelling. Familiar food can help prevent tummy upsets and carrying water with you on long journeys helps keep your greyhound hydrated. These portable pet water bottles can be super handy when you’re on the road-they’re BPA-free and leakproof so we love them!
- Plan frequent rest stops
Greyhounds, like us, need bathroom breaks, and it’s important to plan frequent rest stops during long trips. Make sure to allow your greyhound plenty of time to stretch their legs, go for a walk and relieve themselves.
- Keep your greyhound cool
Greyhounds are sensitive to heat and can easily overheat during travel. Make sure to keep your greyhound cool by providing access to shade and cool water.
- Prepare for your destination
When planning a trip with your greyhound, make sure to research your destination and ensure that it’s dog-friendly. This includes finding dog-friendly accommodation options, restaurants, and activities. Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO/Stayz can be a great option for finding pet-friendly accommodation.
- Chat to your vet
If your greyhound is prone to anxiety or car sickness, consider talking to your veterinarian about medication that can help. There are several easy to administer tablet/capsule options available for both car sickness and travel-related anxiety. These can make a world of difference to your travel and make sure your pet reaches your destination in a much more relaxed state of mind!
- Have proper identification
It’s important to make sure that your greyhound has proper identification, such as a collar with a tag or a microchip, in case they become separated from you during travel. Moreover, make sure that the contact details on both tag and microchip are up to date so you can be easily reunited if anything were to happen.
If you’re not sure whether your microchip details are up to date, drop into your local vet clinic so they can use a special microchip scanner to scan your pet, and check if the details are correct on the national microchip registry (note: this process may differ slightly depending on your location/state).
- Bring your pet’s medical records
Finally, make sure to bring your greyhound’s medical records with you when travelling. This can help ensure that they receive proper medical care in the event of an emergency. This is especially important if they are on any medication, or have a particular medical condition that may change what treatment they receive at a new vet clinic.
Travelling with your greyhound can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially if planned properly. We hope you find the above tips helpful. Happy travels!