How to Train Your Pet to Travel to Canada

Preparing to travel with your beloved pet can be a mix of excitement and anxiety. If you’re wondering how to train your pet to travel to Canada, you’re in the right place.

From our own experience, we’ve learned that the key to a smooth trip is helping your furry companion feel safe and comfortable inside the carrier.

This crucial step takes time, patience, and a sprinkling (or several) of treats.

In this post, I’ll share how we prepared our cat Corita for her journey to Canada.

Just remember: this is what worked for us while training a beautiful 6-year-old calico. Every pet is different, so don’t forget to check in with your vet, especially if your pet has special needs.

1. Start early when training your pet to travel to Canada

When thinking about how to train your pet to travel to Canada, starting early makes all the difference.

Months before our trip, we had already purchased a carrier to keep Corita safe and comfortable. We chose it based on the requirements of the airline we planned to use. (For more details on how we picked the carrier, check out How to Travel with a Cat to Canada: 12 Essential Tips).

We began the training process about ten months in advance. At first, this was because we thought we’d travel sooner, but looking back, I’m so glad we had that extra time. It gave Corita a chance to get used to the carrier gradually.

My advice? Start as soon as you know you’ll be traveling. The more time your pet has to adjust, the smoother the journey will be.

2. How to introduce the carrier when training your pet to travel to Canada

One of the first steps in how to train your pet to travel to Canada is helping them get familiar with their carrier in a calm and natural way.

We left Corita’s carrier open and visible in our home. She would often come across it while exploring, which helped her get used to its presence without linking it to the stress of travel.

To make it even more inviting, we added a blanket that she loved to knead, her “biscuit-making” spot. That familiar scent made the carrier feel like a safe space, not a strange object.

3. Using treats to train your pet to travel to Canada

When figuring out how to train your pet to travel to Canada, treats can be one of your best tools.

We started by placing one of Corita’s favorite treats inside the open carrier, without forcing her to go in. The goal was to build a positive connection with the carrier.

The key here is consistency. Every day, we placed her treats inside the carrier. Over time, she began to see it as a good and safe place.

One day, we couldn’t find Corita in any of her usual napping spots. To our surprise, she was sleeping peacefully inside the carrier. That moment felt like a win, it showed us she was truly comfortable, and we were ready for the next step.

4. Getting your pet used to a closed carrier

We moved on to the next phase once Corita was fully comfortable with the open carrier. We began closing it for short periods, just a couple of minutes, while she was inside.

Over time, she learned that being in the closed carrier was still safe and okay. We repeated this step daily, gradually increasing the time, and accompanying this process with treats at the end.

This slow and steady approach was an important part of how we trained our pet to travel to Canada, helping her stay calm and relaxed, even when the carrier was zipped up.

5. Building lift-off confidence before traveling to Canada

Once Corita was comfortable inside the closed carrier, we started gently lifting her off the ground for a few minutes at a time. This helped her get used to the sensation of being carried, an important part of preparing for the real trip.

We repeated this simple movement daily over several days, making sure she stayed calm and relaxed each time.

6. Helping your pet explore indoors with the carrier

One part of how to train your pet to travel to Canada is helping them get used to movement while feeling safe. Corita took her first steps around the apartment while inside the closed carrier.

She felt calm as we gently walked through different rooms, and we made sure she linked those movements with something positive by giving her a treat after each short walk.

7. Taking your pet outside their comfort zone during training

As part of how to train your pet to travel to Canada, we eventually moved the training outside our apartment once Corita felt more comfortable in her carrier.

Since she’s an indoor cat, this was her first time leaving her familiar space. We started small, just walking into the hallway of our building.

This gradual exposure to new environments helped her get used to different sounds and movements while still feeling safe inside the carrier.

8. Walking on quiet streets to build travel confidence

As part of how to train your pet to travel to Canada, we continued to build Corita’s confidence by taking short walks outside after she had gotten used to the hallway.

We started walking on quiet streets, allowing her to sit comfortably in her carrier and get used to the sights and sounds of the outdoors.

To our surprise, she seemed to enjoy these daily walks. She didn’t meow and appeared relaxed, just calmly observing her surroundings from the safety of her carrier.

9. Introducing your pet to noisy environments before travel

A key part of how to train your pet to travel to Canada is helping them feel comfortable in different types of environments, including noisy ones.

With each positive experience, we gradually moved on to louder streets. This slow exposure helped Corita feel more at ease with unfamiliar sounds, like traffic and people.

On our final few walks, we spent more than an hour outside, exploring busy streets with cars and crowds. And she handled it like a pro, calm, alert, and relaxed in her carrier.

10. Final touches for a comfortable trip to Canada

In the last stages of how to train your pet to travel to Canada, we focused on making Corita’s carrier as comfortable and practical as possible for the long trip ahead.

About two weeks before departure, we added an absorbent layer to her carrier. We placed it on top of her usual blanket so she’d still feel surrounded by familiar smells and textures.

This small addition was just in case she needed to go to the bathroom during the flight, and it gave us peace of mind knowing she’d stay dry and comfortable.

11. Natural calming techniques for travel training

While learning how to train your pet to travel to Canada, it’s important to know that we never gave Corita anything to make her sleepy or drowsy during training.

Some people might consider using calming medications for travel, but this should only be done under a veterinarian’s guidance. Always ask an expert to make sure your pet stays safe and healthy.

In our case, we used only natural methods to help Corita stay calm. One thing that really worked for us was a special essential oil blend called Calmer, recommended by our vet. We used just a single drop, rubbed it on our fingers and gently touched her ears.

This simple gesture helped her relax while training with the carrier. Over time, she associated the smell of the oil with feeling safe and calm during the travel prep.

Conclusion

I hope this post helps you, especially if you’re not sure where to start. Training your pet to travel to Canada may sound overwhelming at first, but with patience and consistency, it becomes a rewarding journey.

Helping your pet feel comfortable in their carrier is an investment of time, but it makes a huge difference in their comfort and well-being during the trip.

By taking small steps, offering treats, and slowly introducing new experiences, you’ll be amazed at how adaptable and resilient your furry friend can be. Every pet is different, so training times may vary, but we truly recommend starting as soon as you decide to travel. It will ease their anxiety, and yours too.

If you’re looking for more guidance on travelling with a pet abroad, don’t miss these helpful posts:
➡️ How to Travel with a Cat to Canada: 12 Essential Tips
➡️ 15 Things Your Cat Needs When Settling in Canada

Wishing you and your pet safe, happy travels!