Trains offer pet owners who travel with their animals an excellent means of transportation, although as with people, some pets experience motion sickness and barking can disrupt other passengers.
Dogs, cats and small birds (excluding rabbits or gerbils) are welcome on most routes provided they’re contained within an appropriate carrier and don’t weigh more than 20 pounds combined.
1. Carrier
Train travel can provide an ideal alternative for pet owners seeking an enjoyable journey for both themselves and their furry companions. While most services have relaxed restrictions regarding bringing dogs onboard, it is still wise to reserve your space early and follow all instructions closely.
As part of your preparations for train travel with your pet, finding an appropriate carrier to keep them secure and comfortable is of utmost importance. Both hard and soft carriers exist, depending on personal preferences and the size of your pup.
Most train services require that all dogs travel in an approved, soft-sided pet carrier that is leak-proof and allows their animal enough space to stand, lie down, and spin around comfortably. This carrier counts as one piece of carry-on luggage and must not exceed 19x 14x 10.5 inches in dimensions. Legitimate service animals (ESAs) do not qualify as pets and will be treated the same as any other passenger.
Before embarking, be sure to give your pet a light meal three hours prior to departure and exercise them to help combat motion sickness. Also take note of which train cars offer quiet seating that are suitable for pets as the noise will be less distracting; don’t forget bringing along their collapsible water bowl, treats, and favorite non-squeaky toy for entertainment during their journey!
2. Leash
Leashes are essential when train traveling with pets. Not only will it ensure they remain secure inside their carrier, but you can use the leash to walk them around the train or station as needed if needed – keeping them away from unwanted areas while making controlling them simpler should any mischievousness arise.
If your dog or cat is unfamiliar with train travel, consider taking them on an off-peak journey first to familiarise them with its sounds and sights – this way you’ll get a chance to observe how they react without the additional strain caused by commuters passing by with briefcases in hand.
After you decide to bring your pet on board a train, KAYAK provides an overview of each route’s pet policies so you can book tickets accordingly. While most trains allow small dogs and cats on board, larger animals must stay inside carriers or be muzzled according to service rules.
Amtrak routes require that passengers arrive at their station at least 45 minutes in advance to make reservations in a pet-friendly car. In order to do this, an agent in either a ticket office or unstaffed stations must verify both your pet carrier and paperwork for verification purposes.
3. Food
Train travel can be an enjoyable experience for you and your pet alike. It is usually cheaper than flying and requires less mandatory steps – like getting them vaccinated or collecting their health certificate – to complete. Furthermore, train travel is environmentally-friendly while giving more comfort than cars or planes when exploring.
If your pet suffers from motion sickness, visiting your veterinarian and asking for anti-nausea medication to ease their travel. Feeding them a light meal four hours prior to leaving will also help with alleviating queasiness.
On longer journeys, consider selecting a quiet train carriage as this will help your pet remain calm and relaxed during the ride. These compartments may also feature fewer passengers so your pet won’t become distressed by noise or other travelers.
Pack a collapsible bowl along with enough food, water, treats, and waste bags for the duration of your trip. A familiar blanket or cushion may help your pup feel at home as well as an anxiety-relief spray (optional). Get acquainted with your train route so you know which stop will be your destination so you can be prepared when disembarking – taking time for restful tuck-in sessions prior to disembarking can make this stressful momentous event less anxiously anticipated by both pet parent and animal alike!
4. Water
Train travel is often less stressful for pets than air travel, providing both you and your animal can relax during their trip. With proper preparation and planning, both you and your pet will experience a comfortable journey together. To help ease into train travel for first-timers like dogs or cats, starting off on short journeys is often recommended; otherwise long distance journeys could trigger motion sickness or barking, leading to anxiety or stress in some pets; for this reason easing them in can reduce stress or anxiety and many vets offer calming medications available for purchase to help anxious pets or owners as well.
Make sure your pet has plenty of water on board the train to avoid dehydration. This is particularly important if your journey will be hot, or if traveling with an anxious pup. Travel bottles or portable water dispensers may help provide regular drinks throughout their travels so they stay well-hydrated. To provide optimal hydration throughout your train ride experience, strive to give regular drinks of water throughout the journey so they remain fully hydrated throughout.
Some train routes offer “pet-specific” cars, while others permit all pets in all cars. Before embarking, it is wise to review their pet policy, including any necessary paperwork and vaccinations; additionally it would be prudent to bring copies of your pet’s medical records just in case there are any emergencies during travel.
5. Toys
Train travel may seem like an unpleasant ordeal for pets, particularly if their carrier isn’t comfortable enough. To make their experience more pleasurable and reduce stress levels on both ends of the journey, providing toys like chew toys as stress relievers while giving your pup an outlet for any remaining restlessness, try finding nonsqueaky toys – trains don’t mix well!
If your pet is new to train travel, it may be prudent to start them off gradually by taking short off-peak rides at first. This allows you to gauge how they respond without the additional stress caused by overcrowded trains and commuters; especially important if they experience motion sickness or anxiety during travel.
Be mindful that your pet carrier counts as one of your carry-on luggage pieces; make sure you pack accordingly! Remember to include food and water, pheromone spray, nonsqueaky toys from home, as well as relief breaks along your journey if traveling via train service. Good luck! –Satyne Julianna Doner
6. Blanket
Train travel can be an exhilarating adventure for both pet parents and their animals alike, yet preparation should take place well in advance to ensure everyone remains relaxed and safe throughout their travels. To make sure everyone feels at ease during this exciting experience.
Start by providing your pet with a secure carrier that fits their size and comfort needs. Plastic carriers work well as they feature solid backs, sides, and ventilation slots – be sure to line it with something that smells of home so as to help calm them and help settle them into their carrier quickly!
Keep your pet comfortable by packing treats and toys they like for the journey, such as treats to help with mental and physical comfort during their train ride. If your pet tends to experience travel sickness, consult your vet beforehand on any medications to administer on board.
Finally, it’s vital that you understand your train company’s pet policies so you can prepare. Some trains have designated carriages specifically for pet travel while others require specific carriers and documentation from owners of pets traveling on board. You should also make sure there are stops along your route where your pet can relieve themselves – bring along waste bags, water bowls, leashes and first aid kits in case an issue arises!