Some truck drivers have even gained a little fame because of who their travel partner is (see the story: Trucking Duck). Dogs, Cats, Ducks... Here are some ideas for safe and comfortable travel with your pets in your medium duty or heavy duty freight truck .
Dogs:
- Get your dog used to the truck by letting him sit in it with you without leaving the driveway, and then going for short rides.
- Avoid car sickness by letting your dog travel on an empty stomach. However, make sure he has plenty of water at all times.
- Keep the truck well-ventilated. If the dog is in a crate, make sure that fresh air can flow into the crate.
- Never let your dog ride in the back of an open truck. This is extremely dangerous and can lead to severe injuries or death.
- Stop frequently for exercise and potty breaks. Be sure to clean up after your dog.
- Never, ever leave your dog unattended in a closed vehicle, particularly in the summer.
Cats:
- Feed your cat about three to four hours before you leave. The food needs time to settle so your cat doesn't leave you a regurgitated gift on the road.
- Cats are highly sensitive to the environment and their territory so you want to help to make the car part of their territory. Place a towel or blanket with your cat’s scent on the car seat. If you're using a crate, surround your cat inside the carrier with a blanket that smells of home. A scent your animal recognizes provides comfort.
- Secure the carrier in the car where it will not lurch forward or topple in a sudden stop. Place the carrier ideally where your cat can see you. Secure the carrier with a seatbelt, if possible.
- Feed and provide water for your cat along the way at times it would normally eat. Allow a little playtime while you stop for your own break. Transition timing of routines slowly a few weeks before you leave to accommodate any time-zone changes.
- Crack windows about an inch if you get out of the car for any length of time, but don't let the cat roam the vehicle. Beware of rolling down windows farther; cats are good at wiggling out of tight spaces. Don't leave the cat in a parked car for more than a couple of minutes, no matter the weather, the ASPCA cautions. Warm days can quickly heat up a car to dangerous temperatures, while cold causes hypothermia just as fast.
Birds and Exotics:
- You learn to read your bird's many moods at home. On the road, you need to pay extra attention to them to prevent stress. Before taking a long trip, we recommend that you familiarize your bird with the travel carrier. Then start with short trips, and gradually increase their duration.
- Like humans, your bird can experience motion sickness. His brain can receive conflicting messages - from his eyes and the rest of his body - about whether he is in motion. Again, starting with short trips will help you determine if motion sickness is a problem for your bird.
- Place your birds or exotic pets in a cage that can easily be restrained so it does not get jostled around.
- Make sure to have water available to your pets, as well as some food and toys.
- Know where you're going and find out if it is legal to transport your pet. Believe it or not, depending on the species, it may not be. Some states exclude certain species. It is your responsibility to check in advance before you travel. For any bird, interstate travel usually requires a health certificate signed by your veterinarian within ten days prior to your departure. Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service provides links to the latest regulations on interstate movement of animals, written and maintained by individual states.
All Pets:
Put together a travel kit for your pets, which could include the following:- Leash
- Food
- Water
- Blanket
- Crate/Carrier
- Toys
- Brush/Nail clippersCage liners
- Paper towels and/or cage wipes
- Cleaning cloths
- Bird-safe disinfectant
- Sandpaper
- Scrub brush and/or old toothbrush
- Small first aid kit
Frequent food, water, and potty breaks are vital. Major freeways often have rest areas that also include pet bathroom areas. Stretching the legs is a good way to burn off excess energy, but make sure your pet is on a leash and cannot escape.
Always park your truck in the shade to help your pet stay cool. If it is not raining, it is a good idea to crack the windows for fresh air. Remember that your medium duty truck can get as hot as an oven on hot days, so never leave your pet in a hot car for over 2 minutes. Always have drinking water available in an open bowl when your pet is in a parked vehicle. See Ways to Keep Your Truck Cool in the Summer for more information.
If you or a co-worker is in an accident and you need replacement parts for your medium or heavy duty commercial truck, call us at (803) 564-3228 or (877) 564-6307. If you have any difficulties getting through our phone system, please use our Contact Form or Parts Request Form, or email sales@busbeetruckparts.com.
We have hundreds of Salvaged Medium Duty Trucks and Commercial Box Trucks for Parts including: Isuzu, Mitsubishi Fuso, UD, and GMC. With thousands of parts, including our most popular Isuzu NPR Truck Parts, we should have any part that you need in stock. Our sales professionals will be glad to assist you. We are located at 4107 Festival Trail Rd, Wagener, SC 29164.
