7 Tips for Traveling with Your Pet
We know people love their pets and taking your pet along on your travels or on vacation can be a fun adventure for both of you. However, traveling with your pet isn’t without its challenges. Here are our 7 tips for traveling with your pet.
1. Make sure your pet has ID – Make sure your pet is wearing ID tags at all times. If your pet is also microchipped, make sure your information is up-to-date with the microchip monitoring company. Should your pet get lost or separated from you, this makes it much easier to reunite you with your pet.
2. Make sure you carry the appropriate paperwork – When traveling with your pet, it’s important to have their vaccination records and copies of any other pertinent paperwork on hand. Most pet-friendly hotels want to see a copy of your pet’s rabies certification at minimum. Research before your trip to make sure you have a copy of everything you could need on hand while you’re traveling.
3. Bring items to comfort your pet – Make sure to bring your pet’s favorite toys, blanket and other items that will make him feel safe and secure. Traveling can be stressful for your pet, especially if they’ve never traveled before. If your pet tends to be the nervous type, consider a thundershirt garment and/or for cats, Feliway spray to help calm and soothe kitty.
4. Do your research – Plan out your stops ahead of time, especially any hotels you’ll be staying at along the way. While many hotels are pet-friendly, not all are open to pet guests. Plan ahead so you can be sure where you stop will be welcoming to your furry family.
5. Pack the necessities – Make sure to pack plenty of food and bring bottled water for your pet. Bringing bottled water ensures your pet won’t have an upset tummy from changes in water quality at each stop along the way. Also make sure to bring any medications your pet needs while away.
6. Make sure your pet gets out when you get out – Never leave your pet in the vehicle. Even in mildly warm temperatures, the interior of a car can heat up to an overwhelming level very quickly that can sicken your pet.
7. Make sure your pet travels securely – Place your pet in a well-ventilated crate or carrier whenever the vehicle is moving. This will keep you and your pet safe. Some dogs can use a doggy seat belt attachment to hold them in place in case of an accident, if they are too big for a crate or intolerant of a crate.
Traveling with your pet can have many great memories, as long as you have taken steps to properly prepare for your trip with your pet. These 7 tips will help you get set up for a fun and safe trip with your dog or cat.