Traveling with Pets
Have you ever traveled with your pet? If you have, you know that it adds a layer of planning that is required to make sure that all of your companions are safe, comfortable, and well cared for once you reach your destination. Traveling with pets without making the necessary arrangements can make for unhappy humans as well as pets. Take a look below at some tips that will help make your next trip traveling with pets a success!
Pet-Friendly Hotels for Dogs
Have you ever heard of TripsWithPets.com? They are the premier online pet pet-friendly travel guide — providing online reservations at over 30,000 pet-friendly hotels and accommodations across the U.S. and Canada. TripsWithPets.com lists pet-friendly hotels by the state making it easy for you to find what you’re looking for.
Traveling By Car
Traveling with your pet by car may sound easy, but it takes a bit more planning than just loading up your animal and hitting the road. To ensure a safe and comfortable road-trip for you and your animal, read below for recommendations by the ASPCA.
- Prep your pet for a road trip. Get your pet prepared for the trip by taking him on a series of short drives first, gradually lengthening the time they spend. Did you know that if you are traveling across state lines, you should bring along your pet’s vaccination record? Some states require this proof at certain interstate crossings.
- Keep your pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate or carrier. The crate that holds your pet while traveling should be large enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down and turn around in. Be sure to secure your pet’s crate to ensure that it will not slide in the event of an abrupt stop. If you are unable to use a crate, or just opt not to use one, do not allow your pet to ride with their head outside of the window. Keep your pet in the back seat in a harness attached to a seat buckle.
- Prepare a pet-friendly travel kit. Just like humans bring “stuff” for a road trip, we should prepare the same for our pets. Bring their leash, enough food, a bowl, a way to pick up and dispose of waste, grooming supplies, any of their medication, first-aid supplies, and any travel documents. Pack a favorite toy or pillow to give your pet a sense of familiarity and to help ease any anxiety that they may have. Be sure to pack plenty of water, and avoid feeding your pet in a moving vehicle. Your pet’s travel-feeding schedule should start with a light meal three to four hours prior to hitting the open road, and always provide bottled water. Drinking water from an area that your pet is not used to could result in stomach issues.
- Never leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle. Similar to humans, leaving an animal unattended in a vehicle is a bad idea. On a hot day, even with the windows left rolled down, a parked car can become a furnace in a very short period of time. This can lead to heatstroke for your animal. In colder weather, your car acts as a refrigerator as it holds in the cold and can cause your pet to freeze to death.
Training Your Pet for Their Travel Experience
Preparing your pet for their travel experience will help both you and your pet. Traveling with pets can be stress-free when preparations are made ahead of time. Take a look!