TRAVELING BY PLANE

Traveling by plane can be stressful for not only a pet, but for the owner, too. In an effort to make air travel less anxiety-ridden for your dog or cat, an option would be to have your furry family member certified as an Emotional Support Animal. By doing this, your pet is able to fly on the plane sitting by your side, relieving stress and worry.

STAY CALM

Your pet’s emotions can easily be affected by yours, so no matter the situation, you should strive to stay calm. No loud voices, fighting or screaming. Pets can pick up on all of that. Difficult situations may arise while traveling, which is why it’s important to remember to stay mindful.

TRAVELING BY CAR

A lot of pets don’t mind car rides, but unfortunately some do. Depending on the length of the car trip, there are different types of medications you can give your pet to make the drive less anxiety-ridden for him or her. There are medications to make your pet sleepy and relaxed, as well as meds to help with nausea. Many dogs get car sick and throw up, which is why it’s always good to have a towel on the seat underneath the dog to prevent a messy and expensive cleanup!

FAMILIAR BLANKET OR TOY

Almost all pets have a special toy or blanket that they sleep with or carry around. Like small children, it is comforting for your pet to have access to his or her toy/blanket at all times when traveling. A small toy that you can stick in your pet’s carrier with him or her could totally make the trip more bearable.

PROPER HYDRATION

No matter what source of transportation you choose, water needs to always be available for your pet. If your pet is traveling by plane, make sure that a water bowl is kept near him throughout the flight. If you are traveling by car, make frequent stops offering your pet some hydration.

MEDICATION

There’s a lot of pets out there that need all types of medications for different things, such as diabetes, cataracts, nausea, even flea medication! It can be an easy thing to forget to pack, so whether you need to put a reminder on your phone or a sticky note on the door, don’t forget your pet’s medication!

TRAVEL KIT

Bring food, treats, a bowl, leashes, first aid, medication (if needed), plastic bags and favored toys when traveling. You don’t need to go all out and overpack, but a smallish kit that is able to fit all of the necessities for your pet would work well.

HOTEL RESEARCH

If you’re staying at a hotel while traveling, always do your research! Although many hotels and resorts allow pets, many don’t, or have an extra fee you need to pay. This is a simple task and just requires a little bit of calling and looking around online.

IDENTIFICATION

Always make sure your dog or cat has proper identification before leaving for your destination! A sturdy collar with an ID tag containing the pet’s name and the owner’s phone number is a must.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

Health certificates for pets are mandatory when you’re traveling by plane, so it’s always a wise decision to have your pet receive a health check prior to takeoff. If you’re traveling by car, a veterinarian visit may not be as necessary.