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Dog Articles & Tips

Successful Traveling with Your Pets

Note: This article is specifically about traveling with pets in an automobile, not air travel.

A question you must ask before planning a trip with your pet is, "does my pet like to travel?"  Some pets get car sick, while others are simply more comfortable at home in their familiar surroundings.  If your pet is older or has a physical or mental disability, he or she might not withstand the rigors of travel.  In these cases, a professional pet sitter could be a good alternative.  Be sure to ask for references.

If you are set on taking Fido with you, you will have to do some research and speak with the personnel at hotels, campgrounds, park facilities, and other places you plan to stay about their pet policies.  Make sure they will accept the number and size of pets you will have with you, as many facilities have limits.  Also consider how your pet might behave if left alone in a hotel room.  Will he bark incessantly, mark, and chew up the furnishings?  Even if you take your portable kennel for the hotel room, a lot of barking coming from the room will bring complaints.  For safety, make sure you place a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door and inform the maid and the front desk, because you don't want your pet to get loose when you are away.

Remember that safety is key to a fun and memorable trip.  Do not allow your pets to ride with their heads outside car windows.  Particles of dirt or insects can enter the eyes, ears, and nose, causing injury or infection.  If you absolutely must leave your pet in a parked car, be sure to lock all doors, park in a shady area, and open windows wide enough to provide ventilation without enabling your pet to jump out or get its head caught.  Do not leave your pet in a car alone for more than a few short minutes, and be aware of weather conditions.  In high temperatures, it only takes a few minutes for an animal to suffer a heat stroke!

Finally, the following is a checklist of things you must prepare and things you must take with you.

• Make sure your pet's vaccinations are up-to-date

• You must have a proof of vaccinations and a copy of a Health Certificate from your vet within 10 days of travel if you are crossing state or international borders

• Your pet must wear a current identification tag, and in many states, a rabies tag.  It is also wise to add a travel tag.  You should label the I.D. tag with your name, home address, and phone number.  The travel tag must include information and phone numbers of where you are staying while on your trip so that you could be contacted locally in case your pet became lost

• It is recommended that your pet also have an identification microchip

• Groom your pet (bathing, combing, trimming nails) before the trip

• Take travel size bottles of dog shampoo and conditioner with you for the unexpected mishap

• Medicine

• Supplies to administer the medicine (syringes, medicine cups, etc.)

• Food, treats

• Portable food and water dishes

• Ice Packs for medicine, canned food, etc.

• Toys

• Harnesses

• Leashes

• Towels, blankets

• Seat belt restraint and/or travel kennel

• A pet first aid kit that includes assorted bandages, antiseptic cream, an anti-diarrhea medication that is safe for pets (ask your veterinarian to suggest a product), gauze squares, and the phone numbers of your veterinarian and a national poison control hotline

• Look up the nearest 24-hour emergency veterinary clinic where you will be staying before your trip.  Have the phone number handy and know how to get there in case an emergency arises

With a little planning and preparation, your family and your pets will have a fabulous summer getaway.

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