What to Know When Riding with Your Pet
For many people, a pet is a faithful companion and a member of the family. Therefore, it’s not surprising that plenty of bikers enjoy taking their best buddy along with them on the road to share the experience and have some company when out on long rides. However, just as you practice responsible riding to ensure the safety of passengers on your motorcycle, you have to take further precautions when riding with a pet. You need to make safety the primary concern when traveling with an animal. We put together a guide to outline all the proper steps you need to take when you consider making your pet a riding mascot.
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Vet Check
If your pet isn’t up to date on their immunizations and is in need of a wellness check, you should take care of that before doing anything else. For dogs and cats, you’ll need a rabies immunization certificate and possibly a health certificate, especially if you will be traveling over state lines. Each state has their own regulations regarding pet travel, so do some research on what you’ll need based on where you’re going and get your documentation in order.
In addition, some campgrounds and hotels also require a rabies certificate if you have a pet with you. Further, your vet may recommend additional immunizations if you will be going to areas where your pet may be subjected to certain environments, such as a leptospirosis vaccine if you’ll be visiting warm, wet climates with stagnant water and wet soil. A vaccine for Lyme disease is also a good idea if you’ll be in an area that has tick issues. On that note, your pet should also be treated with topicals to prevent fleas and ticks, as well as heartworms that can be transmitted by mosquitoes.
If you’re biking with a dog, you’ll want to have your vet check to see if your canine is healthy enough to travel by motorcycle. They may recommend against it if your pet has underlying issues such as heart disease, arthritis, or respiratory problems. They may also nix the idea based on your dog’s age, breed, and temperament. Puppies and older dogs may not be suitable for motorcycle travel due to stress, anxiety, or physical limitations. An animal that has a calm and confident temperament may be a good candidate as a riding partner, but one that is anxious or fearful is likely a poor candidate. And if your pet has any mobility issues, riding could be very uncomfortable for them, especially if they will be in a crate for a long period of time.
The Right Gear
If you have a sidecar, you may only need to buy a harness that acts like a seatbelt for your pet in the event of a sudden stop. This will also keep your animal from jumping out of the sidecar unexpectedly.
If you do not have a sidecar, your best bet is to buy a crate big enough for your pet that fits on the back of your bike. You may need to buy additional hardware to attach to the crate, and you should still have a harness to further protect them while riding.
In either case, eye and ear protection are paramount. You may also need to purchase a dog coat or clothing if the outdoor air temperature is going to be chilly. In warm conditions, you may want a crate cover to keep direct sunlight off your pal. A comfortable pad in the crate will help make long rides easier on the pet.
Even if your pet is microchipped, you should consider adding a GPS tracker to their harness or collar to help you locate them if they should somehow roam off during your travels. You can actually use your smartphone to provide you with real-time information on their exact whereabouts if they run off.
Ease In
Once your vet gives you the thumbs up, you have followed up with local rules and regulations for riding, and you have all the right protective gear, the next step is to gradually introduce your pet to riding. Keep in mind, if they are fearful of the loud noise of your motorcycle or other motorists on the road, don’t try to push them beyond their comfort zone.
If they seem agreeable, start with slow trips to acclimate them to the sound and vibration of the bike and road, in addition to the sound and feel of the wind as you gradually increase speed. If all goes well, you can gradually add the time and distance on riding sessions to see how they do.
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If you need to purchase a motorcycle or trade in your current model to get something that will be better for your companion animal, check out the largest online selection of new and used bikes capable of providing you and your pet with miles of great adventures together.
Barrett Baker
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