5 tips for travelling with your pet by ferry. Prepare for the trip!

When you travel, do you usually leave your pet at home or take it with you on a new adventure? If you feel like taking your companion with you, you should understand the responsibility that it entitles and start preparing for the trip in advance. Today we will give you some tips about travelling with your pet by ferry.

Remember that with Líneas Romero you get to travel with your pet free of charge in the passenger lounge or on deck. We care about your experience and want to make the trip as comfortable for you and your pet, as possible.

1. Consult your vet

It is always good to consult your vet before going on a trip with your pet, but it becomes much more important when it is the first journey of your animal. There are many things to consider: the length of travel, the means of transport, the climate of the destination and many other factors. Your vet would be able to give you crucial information and advice regarding your own case, considering particular characteristics of your pet.

2. Vaccination

One of the questions you should consult your vet about is the vaccination needed for your pet at a specific destination. Make sure to tackle this issue in advance, as some vaccines may have some restrictions to travelling. Example is the dog’s rabies vaccination. In some cases, you will have to wait 30 days before travelling to allow the vaccine to take effect. Here is when you will have to wait: it’s the first time your dog is vaccinated against rabies, it’s the first time your dog is vaccinated against rabies after the microchip was implanted, it’s not the first time your dog is vaccinated against rabies, but the previous vaccination was expired by the time the booster was given.

3. Reduce anxiety

For dogs, cats and other pets that do not have much travelling experience, a ferry ride can be quite a challenge. They may become scared and anxious, feeling unsecure in the unknown environment. However, there are some things you can do to make your pet companion feel more comfortable during the trip. Upon embarking, allow your pet get accustomed to the ferry. Walk around a bit, give your pet the chance to get to know new smells and spaces. If you have a small pet and plan to use a carrier, you can reduce anxiety of an animal by preparing it to spending some time in a carrier. Practice it at home and do some small trips around the city so that your pet gets accustomed to being in a carrier.

4. Take your dog for a walk before boarding

This might sound obvious, but in a hurry, some people might forget this important step. Before boarding, you should take your dog for a walk. Some ferry terminals have a designated pet area for this purpose. Remember that you are required to keep your dog on a leash around the terminal as well as on the ferry itself. You are also obligated to clean up after your dog in order to help keep the terminal area tidy.

5. Fight motion sickness

Motion sickness is a common issue for younger animals, and is often outgrown. Signs of motion sickness include whining, listlessness, shaking, lethargy, excessive salivation, dry heaving, vomiting, and diarrhea. If your pet has previously displayed any signs of motion sickness when travelling, you should consult your vet, he will recommend some medications to fight motion sickness. Also, if it is your pet’s first time traveling, be prepared for the possibility of your pet becoming sick.

There are some things you can do to prevent motion sickness besides using medications. For example, pets that consume a large amount of food or water prior to travelling are more likely to experience motion sickness, so refrain from giving large meals to your pets prior to travel. It is ideal to withhold food for approximately 12 hours prior to travel. However young kittens or puppies should not be excessively fasted as they are prone to hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar).

Make sure to bring water for your pet on a ferry. It is especially important to keep your pet hydrated on a hot day. Also, allowing your animal to drink small quantities of water can help to relieve motion sickness.

Muzzles and leashes

We remind you that all dogs are required to be kept on a leash during the ferry travel. A muzzle will only be required for those breeds considered to be potentially dangerous. We kindly ask you to provide your own muzzle and recommend that you familiarize your dog with it before traveling. Check some tips on how to do it in this Blue Cross training video.

Taking your pet on a trip can make your holiday even more memorable and exciting. To make sure that travelling is as pleasant for your companion as it is for you, start preparing in advance and take all details into account. Have a great trip!

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