Pet Travel Tips and Tricks

With an ever-increasing number of hotels, resorts and recreational areas allowing your four-legged family members to come along, record numbers of Americans and their pets are taking to the road or sky every year.  Before you book your airline reservations or hit the open road with the family, there are a few things to keep in mind to make traveling with your pet a safe and enjoyable experience.

Traveling by plane

When preparing for air travel, make sure your pet's physical condition is conducive to flying. Animals with greater travel risks are injured, pregnant, or very young or old.  Before booking a reservation, check the airline’s specific pet policies, usually published online.  

Typically, airlines will require immunization and health records for pets and will have size regulations for approved pet carriers for storage in the cabin and in the cargo area. All carriers should fit your pet properly and have good ventilation.  In extremely hot weather, some airlines do not allow pets to be transported in the cargo area.

To make the most of air travel with your pet:

• Book your reservations well in advance and check the airline's latest pet policies. 

• Be prepared to provide a general health certificate and a rabies vaccination certificate from your veterinarian. This should be issued within 10 days of your departure.

• To minimize your pet’s anxiety and avoid delays during connections, choose non-stop flights if possible. 

• Consider the weather conditions in your departure and arrival locations. Early morning or late evening flights work best in warmer weather.

• You will not be able to fly with a dog or cat under eight weeks old. Pets must also be weaned for at least five days before traveling by air. 

• Allow plenty of time to exercise your pet and give them a “potty break” before entering the security area. 

• Consider placing a familiar toy or blanket inside the carrier for added comfort.

• In lieu of feeding your pet a large meal, bring along healthy and easily-digestible snacks for your pet.  

Traveling by car

Before taking to the open road on an extended driving vacation, help prepare your pet by taking several short trips around your town to get them used to being in the car.  A pet with motion sickness can make the trip difficult for everyone. A seat upholstery protector, such as a waterproof seat cover will make cleaning up easier if your pet does get sick or has an accident. Pack some additional cleaning supplies just in case.  Check with your veterinarian before you leave about flea and tick treatments or repellent, heartworm medication and other preventives.

To make the most of long journeys by car:

• Safely secure your pet while traveling in a harness or pet car seat. This is crucial as an unrestrained pet can become a projectile in a sudden stop or crash.  Never attach a restraining device to a collar, instead use a harness to prevent injury.

• Cats, in particular, should be contained in a secured crate. Never allow your cat to roam freely inside your vehicle, as it could be distracting for the driver. 

• Stop every couple of hours for your pet to stretch its legs, walk around, and take a potty break.  Never let your pet jump out of the car without a leash.  Even well-trained dogs may be spooked by unfamiliar surroundings and attempt to run away. 

• Bring a supply of clean water, as water may not be available when you need to stop.  Pets will feel comfortable using their bowl from home.  Easy-to-clean stainless steel bowls are more bacteria-resistant and easy to transport.  

• Encourage your pet to consume smaller amounts of food and water while in the car, and reserve your pet's main daily meal for when you have reached your final destination for the night. 

• Be considerate and practice good "petiquette" by cleaning up after your pet. Keep a supply of pick-up bags handy. 

• Leaving a pet in a parked car is not ideal. Temperatures in confined spaces in the spring and summer can heat up quickly, causing heatstroke or even death.

At your destination

Be sure to locate emergency or 24-hour pet hospitals in the areas where you plan to travel. Pack your pet's medical records, medications and health certificate, as well as the phone numbers for your veterinarian, and the Animal Poison Control Center’s hotline. A first-aid kit specific to your pet is also essential and should contain items like antiseptic cream, bandages, tweezers, eye drops, gauze, and tape. Know what items are in your kit and how to use them before leaving home.

A travel tag on a pet's collar will help someone locate you if your pet becomes separated. The travel tag should list where you are staying locally (i.e. your hotel) or your cell phone number. If your pet has a microchip, bring the company’s phone number and the microchip identification number in the event of a separation.

Whether you and your pet are traveling by land or air, it is important to be prepared. A positive attitude and the right preparation will help make travel fun and rewarding for the whole family, including your four-legged members.