Traveling with Pets – Tips For a Smooth Journey
Traveling with pets requires careful preparation and is particularly challenging when using an aircraft, as air travel can be costly and restrictive for animals.
Make sure that your pet carrier meets USDA standards and provides ample ventilation. Microchip your animal and register their contact details, including their cell phone number, in case they get lost during transport.
Pre-Trip Preparation for Pets
Preparing your pet for travel requires careful preparation. This may mean familiarizing them with long car rides, train journeys, or boat excursions as soon as possible to reduce anxiety levels in their new environments and alleviate stress.
Ensure your pet’s travel-ready carrier is marked with “live animal” and your contact information, with an up-to-date health certificate and adequate parasite prevention (many preventatives also prevent vector-borne diseases). Also, consider giving him or her medication to ease motion sickness or anxiety during travel.
Booking nonstop flights is best to avoid as many stops as possible and select flight times that are less busy for airports – early morning or evening in summer and midday during winter are generally quieter times at airports. Finally, make sure your pet has all their essential supplies packed for travel, such as food and water bowls, leashes/collars/leashes for walking/running on leashes, etc.; food/water bowls; leashes/collars for leashing up/leashing off; toys/bedding, etc. – as well as contact numbers of local emergency vet clinics should any unexpected issues arise during your travels.
Travel Documents and Regulations
Preparing to travel with pets requires careful preparation, particularly if flying. This includes ensuring they are up to date on their vaccinations and that their health requirements for their destination country have been fulfilled.
Different countries have unique regulations and documentation requirements. Before traveling abroad, it’s a good idea to research their requirements as these can vary widely from one destination to the next. You can easily access this information on the USDA website by inputting your destination country or visiting an Overseas Briefing Center location nearby.
Once a veterinarian has examined your pet, it will receive a veterinary health certificate, which must be approved by the USDA for international travel. Alternatively, your veterinarian can advise you in this regard and visit their local USDA veterinary service center for additional guidance.
Pet-Friendly Accommodations and Transportation
Pets are beloved members of our families, so traveling with pets has many options available to pet owners. Many hotels allow pets to stay with their human hosts, while some provide amenities like dog beds, food, water bowls, treats, toys, and comfort items for a comforting stay-in. Certain establishments may also provide waste disposal bags, leashes, and kennels, along with grooming or pet-sitting services.
Air travel may also be an option, though it can be stressful for pets since animals must typically be transported in cargo holds with limited space. Before flying, ensure your pet is healthy and up-to-date on vaccinations – some airlines require health certificates or blood work, and breed restrictions may also apply.
Public transit in New York City offers another viable solution, with several pet-friendly modes of travel such as subway and buses/trains (Amtrak, in particular, allows small pets in carriers provided that the owner pays a fee and adheres to company policy).
Safety and Comfort During Travel
Though most pets enjoy traveling, some may become anxious or distressed. Extra measures should be taken to ensure their comfort and safety when this occurs.
Be sure your pet is microchipped, and their home address information is up-to-date. Your dog or cat should wear a collar and tag bearing their name and cell phone number, along with a temporary tag featuring their destination city’s contact details, just in case they become lost while traveling.
No matter the mode of travel – plane, train, or automobile – pets should always be secured in a crate or carrier that provides maximum comfort and security. Before your journey begins, make sure your pet becomes familiar with his or her crate by taking short trips around town before placing it in its final home on board the aircraft. Attach a pouch of dry food outside their carrier so airline personnel can feed your pet during any layovers.
For air travel, purchase a USDA-approved shipping crate that allows your pet to stand up, sit down, and turn around comfortably. On the evening before your flight, freeze a container of water specifically for them in their crate so it doesn’t spill during loading.
Hydration and Nutrition
Traveling with pets requires careful preparation and an awareness of their nutritional requirements. They need regular water consumption during long trips for their health and comfort.
While packing a travel water bowl for your pet, consider stocking up on food and supplies before embarking on your journey to save time and money while ensuring their normal diet is maintained throughout the journey.
As with humans, freezing your pet’s travel water bowl the night before your flight will help ensure there are no spills during handling and provide them with an uninterrupted source of hydration during their trip. Furthermore, make sure their crate fits comfortably for them so they do not experience discomfort while flying; be sure to research any specific airline requirements when booking their flight and ask a trusted friend or family member to look after your pet during its travels.
Exercise and Breaks
Traveling with pets requires giving them ample opportunities for exercise and breaks. On long road trips, plan several stops so your pet can get out of the vehicle and stretch its legs before continuing their journey. Furthermore, locating dog parks and other safe spaces where your animal can run freely may be wise.
If your pets will be flying with you, take them on a short commuter flight before their actual journey. This will enable you to see how they respond under the pressure of flying or other public spaces; if necessary, consult with your veterinarian about possible calming aids or supplements that could be prescribed.
While traveling with your pet, pack plenty of water, food, leash/collar/waste bags/grooming supplies/medication/first aid supplies as well as waste bags/grooving supplies/medication and first-aid supplies. Also, research accommodation pet policies. Furthermore, ensure they have up-to-date microchips and ID tags; finally, do not feed right before travel as this may lead to stomach discomfort during the flight.
Monitoring and Stress Management
No matter the transport mode, ensure your pet has a safe place to rest during their journey. Sueda suggests investing in a well-ventilated and spacious carrier and gradually familiarizing your animal with it as part of their den. Help them adapt by feeding them there several weeks before travel and placing their bed or toys inside it for acclimatization.
Prior to traveling with your pet, she suggests scheduling an appointment with the veterinarian and obtaining a Certificate of Good Health for travel. Furthermore, you should bring a list of medical records for emergencies that might arise while out and about.
Make sure your pet stays well-fed and hydrated throughout their trip, taking frequent stops for exercise. If traveling internationally, be aware of specific dietary allowances or health certificates needed based on country regulations. Also, bring enough food, water, toys, waste bags, and first aid supplies in case anything arises on the journey.