More people are travelling with pets

Planning an upcoming vacation can be a lot of joy, but when creating outing plans, the question often arises as to what to do with a beloved family pet. This problem becomes a significant headache for four-legged hosts who are ready to travel and can’t decide if it’s worth taking it with them on a trip. Animal experts warn that even a pet left by the owner for a few days can experience great stress.

According to Jakov Shengaut, head of the Veterinary Clinic, people want to take the animals together on trips because quadrupeds have become family members, so a holiday with pets is acceptable. Another important aspect is the animal's well-being: when traveling with animals, the negative consequences of stress on the pet itself are avoided.

Animals left without hosts experience stress

Jakov Šengaut, the head of the veterinary clinic, says that every pet has feelings, feels stressed, longed, therefore long separation with the owners, especially if the animal is left in the care of strangers, has a downside - the animal is worried, sad, loses appetite and activity. According to the doctor of veterinary sciences, when a four-legged family member returns from the owners on vacation, they may even show dissatisfaction that they have been left. "By showing anger, he can refuse to communicate with the host or even eat," the doctor says.

The stress level of an abandoned animal when leaving for a holiday may vary due to their breed and character traits: “Dogs come with very different characteristics, some of which, due to their traits, can quickly become accustomed to strangers. In this case, the stress will be minimal. Other dogs are very careful, sensitive and timid - such animals find it extremely difficult to get used to strangers, so the level of stress they experience will be significantly higher when the owners go on holiday, ”the veterinarian assures.

J. Šengaut assures that the level of stress experienced also depends on with whom the animal is left when the owners leave: “If the dog is left in an environment familiar to him, with people he knows, has activities, does not get bored, he experiences less stress. Yes, he can cry, testify, but leaving a dog to strangers can make things worse. ”

Although traveling with pets is becoming increasingly popular, Jakov Šengaut, a doctor of veterinary sciences and head of the Jakov Veterinary Center, emphasizes the need to consider the type of animals we want to travel with: “Cats travel with us much less often, the owner lives in the city, in an apartment. A cat, if it does not have habits to travel, will feel much more stressful during the trip than being left at home with the care of other people. The situation is quite different with a dog. The dog will feel much better when traveling than when left in the care of strangers, because his house is where his owner is. ”

It is best to travel by car and ferry with the animals

In order to reduce the stress of the animals and their owners when traveling, when planning a trip, it is necessary to look at what documents the pet needs or whether the animals are welcome in the places where they want to stay. "I suggest that all four-legged hosts find out before the trip whether the hotel or other place where they plan to stay accepts the animals," says Mr Šengaut.

When planning a trip, it is also important to choose the right vehicle so that trying to avoid the stress left by the animals does not turn into travel stress. “I always ask my clients to assess the conditions before the trip, whether the pet can be next to the owners during the trip, or whether it will not be separated. Planes have a lot of restrictions on the transportation of animals, and if a pet travels in the luggage compartment, it is very wrong, ”the doctor of veterinary sciences assures.

Traveling with animals by plane is not only very difficult, but this way of traveling is stressful for both the pet and his owner. According to the head of the veterinary clinic J. Šengaut, easier travel with animals is waiting for those who choose to travel by car or ferry, because this way of traveling allows the owner and pet to be together: “The dog always feels good with the owner. The best solution is to travel with your pet all the time. Just pay attention to whether the animal is nauseous. If your pet suffers from nausea, you can be given special medication. ”

Special cabins for animals

Worldwide growth in pet travel - A survey in the UK shows that as many as 53% people choose to travel with their quadrupeds. This shows that domestic animals are becoming an integral part of the family, without which family vacations are inconceivable. “A comfortable trip with pets is no longer an exception. It is more of a standard, ”says Vaidas Klumbys, DFDS's Head of Public Relations and Communications for the Baltic States.

DFDS Communication Manager assures the Baltics that traveling on a ferry with a pet is comfortable, safe and will not require the pet to be separated from the owner: , allergens do not accumulate on them. Animals can also walk on the open deck and in certain areas of the ferry with a leash and muzzle. ”

Vaidas Klumbys reminds that from 2021. In January, the policy of transporting animals on ships changed - pets will no longer be able to be left in cars, they will have to travel with their owners in cabins: “To encourage travel with pets, we have announced a discount on pet tickets. discount. "

From January 25. DFDS is running a pre-bidding campaign: until February 28th. it is possible to buy tickets with 30 percent. discount on family tickets and camper trips, and even 50 percent. the discount applies to the pet ticket. By purchasing advance tickets, DFDS guarantees that the travel date can be changed once free of charge if the plans change. The best time to plan trips is now!