Traveling with a Shih Tzu
Cars, Buses, Trains, Airplanes, Motion Sickness and More
Overview
This section covers:
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Traveling with Your Shih Tzu in a Car:
Traveling via car with your Shih Tzu can be a joyful experience, offering both you and your little guy or gal the opportunity to explore new destinations together. However, ensuring the comfort and safety of your canine companion during car journeys is paramount. Recognizing signs of distress, such as motion sickness, and implementing measures to mitigate them are crucial steps in planning a successful trip.
Signs of Distress in the Car:
Shih Tzu dogs, like all pets, can experience discomfort or anxiety during car rides. Key signs that your dog might be having issues include:
- Whining or excessive barking: Indicative of anxiety or discomfort.
- Lethargy or inactivity: Unlike their usual selves, they may be feeling unwell.
- Drooling or retching: Common signs of motion sickness.
- Restlessness: Signals stress or discomfort.
Understanding these signs is the first step toward ensuring your Shih Tzu's well-being during travel.
Tips for a Comfortable Journey:
Ensuring your dog's comfort and safety in the car requires preparation and attentiveness. Here are some tips to help make your journey smoother:
- Use a Canine Booster Seat: This will keep your Shih Tzu near the window for better line-of-sight and to be near air flow, which helps prevent motion sickness. It will also keep them safe. Our detailed tips for car seats is in a separate article here: Shih Tzu Car Travel and Car Seats.
- Acclimate Your Shih Tzu to the Car: Start with short trips around the neighborhood to get your pet used to the motion and sounds of the vehicle.
- Take Regular Breaks: For long rides, stop every 1-2 hours to allow your dog to stretch, relieve themselves, and drink water.
- Control the Temperature: Keep the car well-ventilated and at a comfortable temperature to prevent overheating or excessive cold.
- Familiar Items: Bring your dog's favorite blanket or toy to create a sense of familiarity and comfort.
- Take Steps to Prevent Motion Sickness: Since this can occur with any type of travel (plane, train, automobile and more), see tips here:
Preventing Motion Sickness.
Traveling with Your Shih Tzu in a Taxi or Ride-share (like Uber)
Traveling with your Shih Tzu via taxi or Uber presents unique challenges and considerations. Unlike personal vehicles, you're navigating shared spaces and must adhere to specific policies. However, with some preparation, you can ensure a pleasant journey for both you and your little guy or gal. Here are essential tips tailored for taxi and Uber rides:
Before Your Ride:
- Check Policies: Before booking, verify the taxi company or rideshare app's pet policy. Some services may require pets to be in a carrier or charge extra fees. Find out rules regarding bringing your Shih Tzu's car seat.
- Communicate with Your Driver: Once you've booked your ride, inform the driver that you'll be accompanied by your Shih Tzu. This courtesy allows drivers to prepare or notify you of any personal allergies or policies. If traveling a long distance, discuss stops for bathroom breaks with your driver beforehand.
- Prepare a Pet Carrier or the Car Seat: If you must use a carrier (not a car seat), be sure it is well-ventilated and secure. Keep it clean via pee pads and lined with a familiar blanket or toy. If it is a stand-alone carrier, place it on the floor behind the front passenger seat for the safest positioning.
During the Ride:
- Use a Harness and Leash: Even with your Shih Tzu in a pet carrier, use a harness and leash can provide extra security during transfers in and out of the vehicle.
- Minimize Disruptions: Keep your Shih Tzu as calm and quiet as possible to respect the driver and maintain a smooth ride. A favorite toy or treat can help distract and soothe them.
- Protect the Vehicle's Interior: Bring a towel or blanket to place under the pet carrier. This measure prevents accidents or scratches, showing respect for the driver's property.
Traveling with Your Shih Tzu on an Airplane:
Traveling with your Shih Tzu on an airplane can be a rewarding yet complex experience, requiring detailed planning and preparation. Airlines have specific policies for pet travel, and the well-being of your canine companion during the flight is paramount. Whether you're embarking on a vacation or moving to a new city, understanding how to navigate air travel with your sweet Shih Tzu ensures a stress-free journey for both of you.
Understanding Airline Policies:
Each airline has its unique set of rules regarding pet travel. It's essential to:
- Research and Choose Wisely: Before booking your flight, research airlines to find the most pet-friendly options. Look for airlines that allow small dogs in the cabin and review their size and weight restrictions for pets.
- Reserve Early: Airlines typically have a limit on the number of pets allowed in the cabin per flight. Reserve your Shih Tzu's spot early to avoid any last-minute complications.
- Review Fees and Documentation: Be aware of the fees associated with pet travel and the required health certificates or vaccinations. Visit the airline's website or contact them directly for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Preparing for the Flight:
Preparation is key to ensuring your Shih Tzu's comfort and safety during the flight, and includes:
- Visiting the Vet: Schedule a check-up with your veterinarian to ensure your Shih Tzu is fit for air travel and to obtain necessary health certifications, including required proof of vaccinations. If your Shih Tzu has a history of motion sickness, discuss this ahead of time, as prescription medication can be given.
- Choosing the Right Carrier: Your Shih Tzu's carrier should be airline-approved, comfortable, and secure, with enough room for them to stand, turn around, and lie down. Familiarize your Shih Tzu with the carrier before your trip to reduce stress. One that we love is the Ruff Life 101 Airline Approved Pet Carrier on Wheels; which allows you to easily switch from a rolling carrier with a handle to an over-the-shoulder hold.
- Packing Essentials: Bring along a travel kit for your little guy or gal, including collapsible bowls, food, water, a favorite toy, and any medications.
- Consider Doggie Diapers for Your Shih Tzu:
This will help contain any urine or feces, for both your Shih Tzu's comfort and for courtesy toward the other passengers.
On the Day of the Flight:
On the day of your flight, keeping your Shih Tzu calm and comfortable is crucial. Here are some tips:
- Exercise and Potty Breaks: Before heading to the airport, allow your Shih Tzu ample time to exercise and relieve themselves.
- Arrive Early: Give yourself plenty of time at the airport to check in, pass through security, and let your Shih Tzu acclimate to the busy environment. Take advantage of any pet relief areas at the airport.
- Feed Sparingly: To reduce the risk of motion sickness, feed your Shih Tzu a light meal a few hours before the flight. Avoid feeding right before boarding.
In-Flight Tips:
Once aboard, there are ways to help your Shih Tzu settle in for the journey:
- Keep Your Shih Tzu Hydrated: Offer water during the flight, especially on longer trips, to prevent dehydration.
- Stay Calm and Reassuring: Canines pick up on their human's emotions, so maintaining a calm demeanor can help keep your little guy or gal relaxed.
- Health and Comfort:
Monitor your Shih Tzu for any signs of distress during the flight.
Traveling with Your Shih Tzu on a Bus or Train:
Traveling with your Shih Tzu on public transportation like buses and trains can be a convenient way to get around, especially in cities or when you're without a personal vehicle. While some of the general principles of pet travel apply, buses and trains have unique considerations and policies that pet parents should be aware of to ensure a smooth and pleasant journey.
Understanding Transit Policies:
- Check Regulations Early: Public transportation systems have their own set of rules for pet travel. Some may allow pets on leashes, while others require them to be in carriers. Size restrictions often apply, making small dogs like the Shih Tzu more likely to be accepted.
- Plan Off-Peak Travel: To avoid crowded conditions and reduce stress for your dog and fellow passengers, try to travel during off-peak hours when buses and trains are less crowded.
- Familiarize with the Route Beforehand: Knowing your route and any transfers in advance can help minimize the time spent navigating stations or waiting for connections.
Preparing for Your Journey:
- Carrier Comfort: Ensure your Shih Tzu's carrier is secure, comfortable, and compliant with the transit system's regulations. A familiar blanket or toy inside the carrier can help sooth them.
- Identification: Have your Shih Tzu wear an ID tag.
Tips for a Smooth Ride:
- Stay Calm and Positive:
Your demeanor can greatly influence your Shih Tzu's behavior. Stay calm and reassuring to help your little guy or gal remain more relaxed throughout the trip.
- Bathroom Needs: Plan for bathroom breaks if you have layovers or wait times at stations. If it's one long journey, consider placing a doggie diaper on your Shih Tzu.
Preventing Motion Sickness:
Traveling with your Shih Tzu, whether by car, bus, train, or even airplane, can be an exciting adventure for both of you. However, motion sickness can turn what should be a fun outing into a stressful ordeal. Let's take a look motion sickness and some things you can do to help prevent it.
Understanding Motion Sickness in Dogs:
Motion sickness in dogs is similar to that in humans, often resulting from a disturbance in the inner ear caused by movement. Puppies may be more prone to motion sickness because their ear structures, responsible for balance, are not fully developed. Symptoms include whining, excessive drooling, yawning, uneasiness,
vomiting, or diarrhea. Recognizing these signs early can help you take steps to mitigate your dog's discomfort.
Tips for Preventing Motion Sickness:
- Use a Canine Car Booster Seat in a Car: This will keep your Shih Tzu elevated so they can see out the window and keep them closer to the window's fresh air flow; both of these things can help with motion sickness. And just as important, it helps keep your little guy or gal safe. One that we like is the Elevated Dog Car Seat by UniCitii, which sits on a car's seat as an elevated platform. It provides great line of sight and stability.
- Optimal Seating Arrangement: The safest spot for the car seat is the middle of the backseat. But, if your Shih Tzu prefers being up front, disable passenger airbags, and slide the seat as far back as it can go. Always secure them to the booster seat with a harness attached to the seat's buckle, not a collar, to prevent neck injuries.
- Ventilation: Maintain good airflow by keeping windows slightly open.
- Temperature Control: Keep the interior cool, around 68°F.
- Meal Timing: Avoid feeding your Shih Tzu a large meal right before travel. Ideally, wait about an hour after a full meal before starting your journey.
- Pre-Departure Snack: A small, dry snack 20 minutes before leaving can help stabilize your Shih Tzu's stomach.
- Sugar Boost: A little sugar can settle a queasy stomach. A small jelly bean (without chocolate or sugar substitutes) or a 1/2 teaspoon of pure cane sugar before the trip may help.
- Calming Supplements: Natural supplements containing L-tryptophan, chamomile, passion flower, and ginger can soothe your dog's stomach and reduce stress. One that we like is the Good Trouble Calming Supplement for Dogs which has L-tryptophan, as well as chamomile and passion flower (has natural sedative effects) and gingerroot (good for the tummy).
- Regular Breaks: If you're in a car, plan to stop every 30 to 45 minutes. Let your Shih Tzu out (on a leash) to stretch, relieve themselves, and have a bit of water and a small snack.
- Prescribed Medications: If car sickness is severe or if you will be taking your Shih Tzu on an airplane, train or other mode of transportation where you won't have control over the many environmental factors that you do when in a car, speak to the vet about medication options.
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