Taking your dog with you on family vacations can make trips more fun for everyone, if you plan carefully. Preparation is the key to making travel with your dog enjoyable. Whether you are traveling by plane or taking a road trip, here are some tips to help make your vacation plans safe and fun for everyone.
My Maltese pup Kingston has yet to travel by plane. I have always been nervous when flying myself, so it’s only natural that even thinking about taking my pride and joy along for the trip adds some extra anxiety. Researching these pet travel tips are definitely helping my confidence to reconsider. Jamaica here we come!
Air Travel:
- First and most important, make sure that your pet is up to date with their vet visit and vaccines. Check with your veterinarian for ways to relax your pet if you suspect he or she may become afraid, anxious or uncomfortable mid-flight. Most airlines will not let your pet fly if tranquilized as it is important that your pet’s breathing is not affected during flight, this is a common side effect in tranquilizers. Your best bet is to check the specific pet rules and regulations for the airline you are flying with to make sure.
- Book a direct flight whenever possible. This will decrease the chances that your pet is left on the tarmac during extreme weather conditions or mishandled by baggage personnel during a layover.
- Make sure your pet’s crate is the proper size for cargo or in cabin travel depending on the size of your pet. Once again, check the specific pet rules and regulations for the airline you are flying with to make sure. It is also very important to mark the crate with the words “Live Animal,” as well as with your name, cell phone and destination phone number, and a photo of your pet. All this info will be helpful if your pet happens to escape the crate.
- When making your reservations, you must make reservations for your dog. There are restrictions on the number of animals permitted on each flight. They are accepted on a first- come, first-served basis.
Road Trip:
Fortunately, most pet owners have taken road trips with our pets at one point or another. Longer trips though, could be tricky. Personally, I have done a few 2 – 3 hour trips with my pup nothing too long. But all the same, it is very important to prepare and make sure that our pets are comfortable and happy.
- Keep your pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate or carrier. The crate should be large enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down and turn around in. Secure your pet’s crate so it will not slide or shift if you stop abruptly. If you decide not to use a crate, even though it’s tempting, don’t allow your pet to ride with its head outside the window as this could lead to eye injuries, and always keep them in the back seat in a harness attached to a seat buckle. Hey, I don’t make the rules.
- Remember to pack all your usual pet essentials. Food, a bowl, leash, a waste scoop, plastic bags, grooming supplies, medication and first aid, and any travel documents. Pack a favorite toy or pillow. Your pet’s travel-feeding schedule should start with a light meal three to four hours before departure and avoid feeding your pet in a moving vehicle to mitigate motion sickness. Always opt for bottled water, drinking water from an area he or she isn’t used to could result in stomach discomfort.
- For long road trips, plan frequent stops for exercise and potty breaks, and be sure to clean up after your dog. Never leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle. On a hot day, even with the windows open, a parked automobile can become a furnace in no time, and heatstroke can develop. In cold weather, a car can act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
Lodging Tips:
- A tired dog is often a well-behaved dog, so right before you embark on your trip, take your pet for a long run or a visit to the dog park. This should help your dog feel more rested and hopefully sleep for a part of the trip.
- If you’re staying at hotels or motels at your destination or on your route, be sure to double check if pets/dogs are allowed. Many do not or have size restrictions. If your dog is allowed to stay at a hotel, respect other guests, staff, and the property. Keep your dog as quiet as possible.
- Do not leave the dog unattended. Many dogs will bark or destroy property if left alone in a strange place. Puppy-proof the vacation home or room. Before you let your dog have free run of his home away from home, make certain it’s safe for your dog to explore. Be sure that electrical cords are out of reach and that previous occupants didn’t leave anything on the floor or under furniture that could be potentially harmful to your dog.
Traveling can be stressful for humans let alone our fur babies, but a calm owner usually has a calm pet. Our pets are good at picking up on our stress. If you’re nervous and anxious, your dog may show stress and anxiety as well. Hopefully these tips will make it easier for you to prepare for a trip with your fur baby. But don’t forget, some dogs don’t enjoy traveling, and your dog may prefer to stay home with a dog sitter.
Sources:
Cindy Ella Speaks 