Traveling With Your Cat Or Dog: 3 Things To Consider Before Calling An Airport Taxi
Canadians are pet-lovers and owners. In fact, most Canadians own a pet or two, as there were 7 million cats and 6.4 million dogs registered in 2014. It's not unusual to want to travel with your cat or dog. After you have made appropriate plans with your airline, it's important to also consider how you're going to get your pet to the airport. If you're going to rely on the services of an airport taxi, here are 3 things you'll need to consider.
Call the Taxi Company Ahead of Time
Not all taxi companies are pet-friendly. You don't want to miss your flight because you couldn't find a taxi willing to drive you and your pet. To make sure that there are no surprises, call the taxi company ahead of time to request a pet-friendly taxi driver. The taxi company will let you know whether your pet will need to be caged or not. Consider putting in a request for a taxi driver who knows how to handle pets.
You should also consider whether a standard-sized taxi will be large enough for your pet. While sedans are suitable for small to medium-sized pets, larger pets may need more space. If this is the case, you might have to upgrade to a van. As the trip to the airport can be rocky, you want to make sure your pet has plenty of space and is comfortable. You don't want to squish your pet's cage in with your luggage. You should also leave for your flight way ahead of time, so that the taxi driver does not have to rush through traffic. Sudden accelerations and decelerations can cause your pet to become anxious and uncomfortable.
Bring Along Toys and Treats
Pets can get easily flustered – especially when they are placed in an unfamiliar environment. Familiar toys can help keep your pet occupied, and the familiar scent of the toys can keep your pet calm. If there's enough space in your pet's cage, put some of their favorite toys in there.
You should also make sure that you place your pet in a location where you can easily reach out and calm them down. Make sure to shower your pet with praise, and to give them some treats here and there in order to affirm good behavior.
Medicate Your Pet Before the Taxi Arrives
Sometimes, it doesn't matter what you do. If you know your pet is going to be anxious throughout the taxi ride, you might want to consider talking to a veterinarian and having him or her prescribe your pet some medications that may help calm its nerves. Your veterinarian may prescribe several different types of medications depending on how your pet may respond to the ride. These medications include:
- antihistamines, which are used to reduce anxiety levels by inducing drowsiness;
- anxiolytics, which are also used to reduce anxiety levels by having a sedative effect;
- sedatives, which may reduce your pet's level of awareness and even help your pet fall asleep; or,
- neurokinin receptor blockers, which help prevent carsickness and nausea.
If you decide to medicate your pet, make sure you learn how to administer the drugs properly.
Conclusion
Traveling can be very stressful for your pet, as they need to adjust to different environments. The plane ride after the taxi ride is going to be a lot more stressful, so you don't want your pet to already be stressed before making it to the airport or it will become too overwhelmed. At times, a combination of several techniques may be needed to keep your pet comfortable and in a good mood. For more information, check out a taxi service by Black Top & Checker Cabs.
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