A pet’s sense of smell is incredibly powerful and closely linked to their emotions. You can harness this power to create a bubble of olfactory comfort for them during the stress of travel, making new environments feel more familiar and safe.
Your scent is their anchor. The most comforting smell in the world to your pet is you. A simple yet highly effective trick is to place a recently worn t-shirt or a small blanket that smells like you inside their carrier. This familiar scent acts as a constant, reassuring presence, even when you’re not in their direct line of sight.
Familiar scents from home. Beyond your own scent, the general smell of “home” is also comforting. The blanket or bed they regularly sleep on is infused with a cocktail of familiar smells. Bringing this item along, rather than a brand-new travel blanket, provides a powerful piece of their home territory that they can take with them.
Use calming scents cautiously. While products with calming pheromones or lavender scents can be helpful, introduce them to your pet at home first to see how they react. A new, strong smell, even if designed to be calming, can sometimes be overwhelming. The goal is to use scent to create familiarity, not to add another new sensory input to the mix.