I recently came across a forum post over at HealthcareTravelbook.com about, “Things to do IN the car…” and at first glance I thought it would be about how to pass the time away when traveling great distances with children and whatnot. It was not, instead it was about what to do when you’re literally stuck in a car for hours, trapped on the road due to traffic/accidents/roadblocks or anything else out of our control. This traveler was stuck in her car for nearly 6.5 hours!!! That could seem like an eternity without some sort of entertainment, let alone some essentials for survival. Here’s an excerpt from her post, “Thank goodness I had an Ipod that I found out I could play a card game on and I happened to have a magazine in the car to read but otherwise….What do you do in a situation like that?? I also had two dogs in the car….which thankfully I had a gallon of water for all of us…But maybe we should all pack a “survival kit” for the car to keep as we travel….Any ideas??”

After reading this post, I felt it necessary to provide some useful tips on what exactly you can do to prepare yourself and your car for this or similar situations. Hopefully none of us will ever have to resort to these tactics and practices, but you just never know. Obviously before traveling any great distance in your car you’ll want to have it inspected by a professional mechanic and make sure everything on the car is tip-top. Next, you’ll want to equip your car with a “survival kit” that will help keep you warm and nourished if ever you were in a dire situation. Check out the blog, The Corporate Barbarian for his extensive list for an automobile survival kit. His list is pretty vast, and it seems he’s packed and ready for just about anything besides a nuclear attack.

Whether it's winter or summer, your car should always be packed with survival gear.

There are many items to consider and as always, it’s better to be safe than sorry! There are definitely some things you should strongly consider to have at your disposal should any road emergency arise. Always make sure your spare tire is fully inflated and there’s a tire iron, a car jack, and so on. Using common sense when traveling will take you far, but there may be some things you would never think to have available when you’re stuck. So before traveling near or far, always make sure your car is equipped for travel. I hate to put it this way, but it could be the difference between life or death. If you have any other tips you’d like to share regarding traveling by car, please share them in our comment section, especially anything about what to do about your bladder. That too is an all important topic!

1. If you know where you are traveling, seek out pet-friendly restaurants and shops in case you need to cool off and get a bit to eat. This way you don’t have to leave Fido in the car! Always bring your dog’s crate with you, it’s their turf and helps to make them feel safe.
2. Make sure you feed your pup before leaving, this will help to avoid throwing up in the car. Many dogs get car sick and traveling long distances can trigger motion sickness in pets and animals. And don’t forget to keep water constantly available for your mutt, this prevents dehydration, which can also lead to throwing up in your car.
3. Stop often for potty and play breaks. This helps to break the trip up during the day and keeps your canine happy!
4. NEVER leave an animal unattended in a car!!! Professionals say that in the summer time it is twenty degrees hotter on average, in a car than it is outside. So even on a pretty 85 degree day, it is 105 degrees in your car!! Rule of thumb-if it’s too hot for you in a fur coat, it’s too hot for your pet.
5. It is extremely important to make sure that your dog has updated ID on. It only takes one time for you to open the door and watch your beloved run away. Microchips and collars are the way to go when traveling with your four legged friends.
6. Bring familiar items with you on trips. Blankets, toys and chewies are must have’s! It gets boring, so bring things for your pup to do.
7. Know a local vet. In case of an emergency, get familiar with the vets in the areas that you will be traveling in.

Heather Green is a freelance writer and the resident blogger for OnlineNursingDegrees.org, a free informational website offering tips and advice on online nursing schools.

Step 1: Prepare

Travel is self-explanatory, right? Not to cats. If you overwhelm your feline companion with several drastic changes at once, you’ll probably experience some seemingly disproportionate difficulty. Cats are creatures of habit, so whatever you do, try to maintain some continuity of their usual routines. To help you think about what your cat is used to, make a list of everything in your house that you keep for your cat. You might be surprised at the amount of supplies, food, bedding, snacks, and toys you’ve accumulated, but keep in mind that this is what your cat knows and expects. Figure out what’s small enough to bring along and plan your packing accordingly, maximizing the number of objects that are familiar to your cat. Some of the important ones might be your cat’s bed or whatever he or she sleeps on most (like pillows, blankets, or a box) and favorite toys. Don’t forget to schedule a trip to the vet so you can update your cat’s shots before you leave.

It’s also helpful to think about what kinds of new cat supplies you might need to buy for your trip. If you don’t have a carrier, you need one right away, and you’ll probably need small spill-proof dishes (preferably with lids), a travel litter pan, and a collar and harness with clearly printed ID tags if you don’t already have them. Even if your cat never goes outside, if you start to travel with him or her, you’ll need to be proactive about restraint and identification in case of escape. You can easily find travel litter pans or boxes at your local pet store, or order them online. There are several different kinds, from disposable ones to collapsible, cleanable, reusable varieties, so you can choose the one that best suits your cat’s needs. Just in case you get a bodily fluid surprise, be sure to include some old towels or a roll of paper towels in your packing plans.

Cats are creatures of habit, so whatever you do, try to maintain some continuity of their usual routines.

Step 2: Practice

Once you have everything you’ll need for successful travel, evaluate how many new objects you have for the trip. Introduce them to your cat one at a time, leaving at least one day in between new supplies. Let him or her get used to them in the familiar home environment so these new things won’t seem so overwhelming when you travel. You might even try giving your cat food and water from the new travel dishes and using the new litter box or pan a few days before you leave for your trip.

Even if your cat is used to his or her carrier, get it out and leave it in a room your cat frequents so that he or she can stay familiar with it. If you have a new carrier, give your cat at least a week to get accommodated in the carrier. After a few days, place your cat and a few toys inside and secure the carrier for no longer than an hour. Try to stay in the same room for the majority of the time, letting your cat know that you’re there and in control of the situation. Once your cat is used to this, try taking short car trips to let your cat get familiar with the sounds of travel.

Step 3: Perform

When you’re ready to go, make sure you’ve packed everything you and your cat might need. It’s better to be over-prepared than to be stuck trying to find a litter scoop in an airport. Checklists are always a good idea for any type of travel and could make things easier for you and your feline friend. Don’t forget to bring a bottle of water for your cat if you’re driving and make sure you purchase one at the airport if you’re flying. If your cat seems upset even after your practice sessions, try talking. This is one thing your cat is used to that you don’t have to think about packing: the sound of your voice. Some cats like music, too, so try turning on the radio if you’re in the car as long as it’s not too loud. Try keeping yourself from getting upset or flustered on your trip, and your cat will be likely to respond positively.

Heather Green is a Christian mom, freelance writer, pet lover and the resident blogger for OnlineNursingDegrees.org, a free informational website offering tips and advice on online nursing colleges.

If you want to travel with your pets, be it a dog, cat, etc… Make sure you tell your recruiter in advance. You’ll want to give them enough time to find you the proper housing that allows you to have them along. Just because you have a pet, it won’t prohibit you from working at a desired location. It just means, the housing department at the staffing company you’re traveling with has to do a little more research, after all it is there job to accommodate you to the fullest. There too may be added deposits and such, but that usually is included within your pay package and so forth.

It’s a good idea to plan ahead if and when you do decide to hit the road with your pets. There are a number of great resources out there to help you map out a route that welcomes you and your pets. Check out Pets On the Go, here you will find all the places that welcome overnight stays with your pets, everything from bed and breakfasts to major hotel chains. There’s also great travel tips and links to stuff you can buy for you pets to ensure a safe and fun journey and so much more.

Another good place to start if planning to travel great distances with your beloved pets is a site called, SureFit.net. They offer a product called, Auto Friends. It’s a hammock-like slip cover that lays over top of your back seat and prevents your pets from sliding should you hit the brakes quickly. It also protects your upholstery from stains and such and is easy to clean and maintain. The site also released a list of the top 10 destinations for traveling with pets.

DogFriendly.com provides city and state guides that look at important information to traveling pet owners like:

•  Accommodations
• Accommodations – Vacation Home Rentals
• Accommodations – RV Parks and Campgrounds
• Attractions
• Parks
• Off-Leash Dog Parks
• Shopping Centers
• Store
• Outdoor Restaurants
• Day Kennels
• Emergency Veterinarians

It offers information on dog friendly cities, hotels, ski lodges, RV parks, beaches and more. It is kept up to date and even has guides like:

• Road Trip Preparation
• Etiquette for Dogs
• Beach Etiquette
• Air Travel /Airline Policies
• Customs/Quarantine
• Breed-Specific Laws

They also give important resources for travelers with dogs like a great dog news blog you can read to keep up to date on the latest advice and news about traveling with your four-legged best friend. You can also submit a dog friendly place you have encountered.

Don’t forget to check out all the pictures of cute dogs that have been submitted and of course you will want to show off your pooch too.

So what are you waiting for a dog park and travel nursing job are waiting for you. Go fetch!

Helping Your Pets Adjust to a New Home

Help Your Pet Adjust To Your New Home – Pets – Lifewhile

Pets – How to Settle Pets In After a Move

Learn Great Tips for Helping Your Pets Adjust to the New Neighborhood

Helping Pets Adjust to their New Surroundings | After Your Move

Moving With Your Dog? Help Him Adjust to the Changes

Moving With Your Dog? Here’s How To Help Your Dog Adjust Before, During and After the Move

DogTip Shelter Dog Adjustment

Purrballs Cat Health, Cat Behaviour and Care Site – Moving – How To Help Your Cat Get Used To A New Home

Do you have any tips for other travel nurses? What has worked for you when moving your pets to your next assignment?

What’s nice is that most travel nursing companies understand this and are providing ways for travel nurses to take their pets with them on assignments. Whether that means putting it into your housing package, helping you find housing that can handle your pets or providing pet insurance discounts.

One of the first challenges you are going to face in taking your pet with you to your next travel nursing job is getting there. Depending on the length of the assignment, this could be a simple two hour drive from your home, a major road trip or even an airplane ride. A series of guides over at TakeYourPet.com give a great overview of how to get started in this task.

Check them out or if you have tips of your own please share with the other readers.