Transporting companion animals by car, plane, or other means causes variable stress. Planning and habituation significantly reduce travel-related suffering.
Companion animal travel welfare depends primarily on preparation and habituation. Animals that have been gradually and positively introduced to carriers, vehicles, and travel experiences show much lower stress responses than those with minimal prior exposure. Car sickness in dogs is often exacerbated by anxiety and can be managed through habituation, appropriate positioning, and anti-nausea medication. Air travel in cargo holds is associated with significant stress, temperature risk, and mortality risk particularly in brachycephalic breeds. Carrier training beginning in puppyhood and kittenhood creates animals that view carriers as comfortable spaces, dramatically reducing transport stress throughout their lives.