How to Travel with Your Pets

Travel with your pets can be either be a enjoyable or nerve-wracking experience for both you and your pet. Your preparation will determine which it is.

Decide when and where you will be traveling and how long you will be gone.

Research if taking your pet is safe and reasonable.

Check with where you will be staying to see if pets are welcome. This can include calling the hotel or family member. Just because you've had pets there before doesn't mean the policy hasn't changed. Be a polite pet owner and ask.

Make sure your pet is up to date on all vaccinations and you have a copy of the shot record. Schedule vet appointment if necessary.

Determine the best mode of travel for you and your pets. The following steps will guide you through traveling safely with your pets.

Traveling By Plane

1. Call ahead to the airline to make sure that they can accommodate your pet. Most commercial airlines are pet friendly and will want to accommodate your pet. Even though, there are times that they may deny you if there are already too many pets on board your flight. The DogTravel Company is a dog-friendly travel club that arranged dog-friendly in-cabin crateless flights for dogs and their owners. They only cater to dogs, but on occassion may help you travel with other pets if you are relocating and have additional pets.
2. Find out if you can bring water for your pet. You may be required to buy a water bottle after you have passed the screening area.
3. If your pet is any larger than a small dog, they will not be able to sit with you in the cabin area and you will have to check them as cargo.
4. House your pet in a carrier for the trip. Most pet supply stores will be able to help and many airlines have them.
5. Never let your pet out of the carrier in the airport. You don't want them to get lost or missing.
6. Make sure your pet's carrier and the pet themselves have proper identification, including an address and phone number. You might not mind getting accidentally sent to Hawaii, but they sure would.
7. Take a leashed pet for a long walk prior to boarding.
8. Consult your vet about your travel plans before you decide to sedate your pet. The sedative combined with the high-altitude can be very dangerous to some animals.
9. Make an appointment with your vet and discuss your travel plans, needs for a sedative, get any vaccinations needed and get copies of the vet and shot records. The rabies tag will not suffice and you will need documents.
10. Have a back up plan. Some airlines do not allow pets to travel as cargo if the temperature in the departure, layover or arrival city is above or below a certain temperature range and the pet may be exposed to those temperatures. It may be a lovely 65 degrees in New York but it may be 98 degrees in Houston. Also plan for a weather change to happen while you are gone. What happens when you are on vacation and can't return home with your pet because of a cold front hitting Chicago?
11. Get your pet accustomed to riding in the carrier. Take it on drives around town. Do this more frequently as your trip nears. If your pet isn't used to traveling in one it may become stressed, cry or have bathroom accidents. A whaling cat is worse than a crying child. You can take a child to the restroom.
12. Consider boarding your pet and if traveling by plane is best.
13. Have treats on hand and remember to pad the carrier to make the pet more comfortable. You may want to stash an extra towel and plastic grocery bag in your carry-on in case of a bathroom accident.
14. Research how you will get from the airport to your hotel. Some cab companies may not allow you to travel with a pet. You may want to arrange for a private car service. Do so far in advance if you are traveling during a peak time and especially around holidays. Remember to request a van in the carrier is large.

• Remember a pet carrier is like any other luggage or cargo and you are not permitted to leave it unattended at any time. Consider packing snacks since you may not be permitted to enter restaurants with your pet.

Traveling By Car

1. Keep your pet in a carrier in your vehicle. In case of an accident or sudden stop, you don't want your pet to go flying. There are safety straps that act as seat belts that can be purchased for your pet.
2. Never leave your pet in a hot car; it is best to leave at least two windows slightly cracked so that there is a cross-breeze. A boiling car is not pet friendly.
3. Consider tranquilizers for your pet. Many of them do not travel well in vehicles.
4. Put comfortable bedding in the carrier and keep an extra set with plastic (grocery) bags in the trunk in case of a bathroom accident.
5. Have food and water available for your pet
6. Take frequent stops and walk your pet. Offer them food and water when you do.
7. Put a treat or non-squeaking toy in the carrier so they can play. Noisy toys may distract the driver.
8. Take a leash and collar or harness for walking your pet at rest areas.

• Also pack a flashlight if you will be walking them at night at rest areas. You can see where other pets have messed and it is also safer.

Tips

• When traveling by train, most of the plane tips apply, with the added bonus that smaller pets that are housed in carriers can usually travel for free.
• Keep a copy of their shot records with you at all times. This will be requested by airlines but may be requested by a hotel.
• Be prepared and have the shot records even if you are traveling by car. An accident or car trouble may have you spending the night in a hotel along the way.
• If you are staying with family you should call each time to make sure it is ok to bring your pet. Don't assume.
• Hotels change their pet policies often and sometimes the web may reflect the policy incorrectly. Call and make sure!