Some people prefer to travel at night, especially if they have children, considering that they will be asleep the whole time during the ride. Therefore, many people believe that this can also be applied to pets, i.e. pet owners might believe that pets would be calmer if they go on a car ride at night. However, is it really better to drive with pets at night, and is it helping them to stay relaxed?
Some pets might enjoy the car ride better at night, however, that does not refer to every pet individually. This is due to the fact that every pet is different depending on personality. Therefore, if they get stressed during the day, they will behave in the same way during the night.
If you have a pet that does not really enjoy car rides, you might struggle with coming up with ways that will make your pet calmer during traveling. This article is focused on the times that are considered more convenient for riding with pets, so you might want to try something new if your pet is neglecting traveling. You will also learn about some ways that might help you calm your pet during car rides.
Do Dogs Prefer Daily Or Night Drives?
Some dogs enjoy car rides at any time of the day, so you might not be forced to think when it would be better to go on a trip with your pet. On the other hand, there are dogs that do not enjoy car rides at all, so you need to be more sensitive when choosing the ways in which you are going to do that. However, you should know that whether a dog prefers a daytime or nighttime car ride depends entirely on the personality of the canine.
For instance, if a dog does not like driving around in a car at all, they will not feel calmer even at night. This is due to the fact that they will still feel the change, no matter the time of the day. Therefore, sometimes it is pointless to drive at night only because you think that that will improve the situation of how your dog feels while traveling.
However, there are cases where dogs feel much calmer and sleepier when they are in a car during the night. They might get anxious at the beginning, but since they would probably be tired from playing all day long, they will easily fall asleep and not feel the car ride at all. This means that a car ride during nighttime might be helpful for some dogs.
If the nighttime does not help, after all, you can always consult with your vet for some advice. In some cases, your vet might prescribe some medication that will help during the trip and keep your pet calm and relaxed. Usually, dogs can get through the car ride without medication, but you might still consider some if there is an absolute necessity for it.
Is It Better To Drive With Pets At Night?
As I mentioned above, some pets might get calmer at night during a car ride. Again, this will depend on the personality of the pet, and sometimes, it is not because of the time of the day, but because of the nature of the pet in question. Some pets simply enjoy car rides, so they stay calm and relaxed at any period in which they travel.
However, considering the life and habits of cats, they might behave better during a car ride at night. Since cats do not like changing their habits, they will probably spend the night in the car sleeping due to their lifestyle routines. They might be a little bit stressed in the beginning, but if they have not slept at all, they will probably doze off in a matter of minutes.
In addition, birds might also feel calmer during the night since they sleep at that time. If you put a cover on the cage, they will definitely fall asleep and will not even feel the ride. However, generally, birds enjoy car rides, so they will probably not mind the time of the day at all.
What Is The Best Time To Drive Long Distance With Pets?
Since each pet behaves differently during car rides, it is not easy to determine the best time for driving a long distance. However, since you would like your pet to be tired during the ride, you might consider driving during the nighttime. If your pet becomes tired due to the activities during the whole day, they might fall asleep easier and quicker in the car, so you will drive without worrying about them.
However, if some pets do not enjoy car rides at all, they might feel anxious even if they are quite tired. Therefore, you might consider making a few stops along the way, so they could feel your love and affection during this time. You should also consider bringing enough water since stress can dehydrate pets significantly.
Lastly, you might want to include some medicine in the travel kit of your pet. Usually, most pets get calmer after some time, but if that does not happen for your pet, you will want to be prepared. Some medicines can help pets relax quickly, and get them to fall asleep faster, especially if it is the nighttime.
In addition, you should always consult a vet before a trip if it is your first time traveling with your pet. The vet will tell you the best ways for traveling with your pet, so you will be calmer before you hit the road.
There is no time of the day that is considered better for driving with a pet. Therefore, you need to see what actually works for your pet, so you could know what to do in the future when you intend to travel.