12 Essential Tips for Traveling with Your Furry Friend

If you plan your next getaway and wonder how to include your fur baby in the adventure, here’s how. The U.S. American Pet Products Association survey found that 78% of pet owners take trips with their pets each year. Pet travel can be rewarding and challenging—from car rides to flights.

A little preparation can go a long way in helping to make your experience safe, comfortable, and enjoyable for both you and your animal friend. Here’s a complete set of tips for traveling stress-free with your pet.

Visit the Vet Before You Go

Schedule a vet visit before you take off on your next cross-country road trip or in-country flight. Vaccines and health certificates must be current, and sometimes it’s law.

For example, airlines frequently require a medical certificate only ten to fourteen days before departure. If you need this, talk to your vet about potential motion sickness or anxiety medication.

Pet-Friendly Places To Stay

Not all hotels or rentals have an accommodating attitude to pets. Use platforms like BringFido or Airbnb filters to research pet-friendly accommodation.

Check their policies—they’ll probably have weight restrictions or extra fees. Find places with pet-friendly amenities like walking areas and pet menus that make your stay just as enjoyable as it would be without a furry family member.

Before your Travel, Acclimate your Pet

A sudden change in surroundings can be overwhelming for animals. It can’t hurt to familiarize them with travel conditions beforehand.

If it’s a road trip, take shorter car rides leading up to the big day. For airline travel, let your pet spend time in their carrier early, weeks in advance.

Pack a Pet Travel Kit

Your pet needs essentials, too, like you need to pack yours. A well-stocked kit should include Collapsible food and water bowls, enough food and treats, a leash, harness, and [a couple of bags].

It should also include a toy or blanket that they have to have around for comfort and a copy of medical records and medications. These items will keep them happy and healthy during the trip.

Ensure Proper Identification

Pets sometimes get separated during travel, and accidents can happen, too. Have your furry friend microchipped, and make sure their collar tag has up-to-date contact information. Add a temporary tag with travel information, perhaps your hotel information.

Secure Your Pet in Transit

Make it safe, and continuously invest in a proper pet seatbelt, carrier, or crate with car travel in mind. Unsecured pets are a danger to themselves and can become projectiles that are dangerous in an accident, advises the Center for Pet Safety. Call your airline regarding airplane travel to check for approved carriers and cabin or cargo travel requirements.

Never Take Road Trips Without Taking Regular Breaks

Indeed, you want to get to your destination quicker, but so does your pet—they will need to stop regularly for potty and stretch breaks.

Pit stop your pet every 2-3 hours to let them relieve themselves, hydrate, and burn off some energy. Search the web for pet-friendly rest areas/parks along your route.

Keep a Consistent Routine

It is well known that pets love routine and know what to expect. During the trip, keep as close as possible to their regular feeding times, exercise habits, and sleeping patterns.

If you are changing time zones, slowly help them transition into a new routine and not have digestive or behavioral issues.

Don’t Overfeed Before Travel

It is best not to feed your pet just before a car trip to avoid motion sickness. Instead, it is recommended that they have a light meal a few hours before departure.

Keep some small treats on hand to reward good behavior during your trip, but do not overdo it and weigh them down.

Watch Temperature Changes

Never leave your pet alone in a car, even for a quick stop while driving or parked: depending on the weather, temperatures can rise to dangerous levels or plummet quickly.

The same rule applies when flying. Do some research about the airline’s temperature controls in the hold for pets flying in cargo and on the plane for your pet if you’re getting in with them.

Review Local Pet Laws

Cities, states, and nations have their pet laws. Some destinations require special vaccinations or quarantine, for example. Look for leash or breed-specific rules in the local area to avoid muddying the waters.

Find Membership to a Pet Loving Community

Get a community where you will have support and tips from a considerable Community of pet owners like yourself. For amateur traveling pet owners, online communities and forums like Reddit or Facebook are great places to gain insight.

Read the latest reviews of a particular destination. Interacting with other seasoned travelers will reveal pet-friendly gems you wouldn’t otherwise see.

Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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