General Planning

Proper planning can make traveling with your pet an enjoyable experience for all involved. First consider whether your pet is comfortable and happy when traveling. Some animals will be happier staying at home in familiar surroundings or will be safer staying at a boarding kennel. A carsick, unhappy animal will make the trip miserable for everyone. Find out in advance if the places you will be staying allow pets. If an animal has to be left alone in a hotel room be sure to leave a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door and inform the maid or front desk. Always have a collar on your pet with rabies and owner identification tags securely fastened. Be sure to bring your pet’s food, bowls, medications and leash with you. If you cross state or international borders be sure to have a health certificate and rabies vaccination certificate. Some foreign countries have special requirements or quarantine periods for pets so be sure to check with the embassy of the country you are traveling to when planning your trip.

Air Travel

By law dogs and cats must be at least 8 weeks old and weaned at least 5 days before flying. Sick or pregnant animals may not travel by air. A health certificate no more than 10 days old and a rabies certificate will be required by the airline. You should contact the airline in advance to check regulations and see which services they offer for transporting pets. Try to book a direct flight or one with a minimum number of stops. During warmer weather try to get a flight in the early morning or late evening. In cold weather try to fly during the warmer mid-day hours. There are 3 ways your pet can travel on an airline. Pets under 10 pounds can ride in the cabin if the cage fits under the seat. You may want to have your vet prescribe an oral tranquilizer for your pet so that it does not disturb your fellow passengers. If your pet is more than 10 pounds but if the combined weight of the carrier and pet is less than 100 pounds, they can travel as excess baggage. They will travel in the cargo compartment on the same plane as you. If the combined weight is over 100 pounds then you must send them as cargo, which means that they may or may not be on the same plane as you. When you go through security checks at the airport you can let your pet go through the xray machine (in its cage) without any risk to its health but be sure to tell the officers what you are doing. You can elect to take them through the metal detector with you at most airports. If your pet is going to ride in the cargo compartment you should observe the following suggestions for selecting a cage. The cage should be large enough for the pet to stand, turn and lie down. It must be strong with smooth internal surfaces and secure doors. It should have ventilation on opposite sides and a label stating “LIVE ANIMALS” with arrows indicating the upright position. Your name, address and phone number should be securely fixed on the outside of the cage. Animals transported in the cargo hold of airplanes should generally not be tranquilized because the combination of sedation and cold temperatures at altitude can lead to life threatening hypothermia.

Car Travel

It is best to take a few short trips with your pet so it gets used to traveling and you can see how it reacts before leaving on a long cross-country trip. Try to stick to your regular feeding and exercise schedules. Take a jug of water and a bowl for your pet. Stop every 2 hours for exercise and bathroom breaks. Proper restraint in the car is important. Cages or pet seatbelts should be used to prevent injury and to prevent the pet from interfering with your driving. Some pets will require sedation for car travel to prevent excess activity or carsickness.

Bus or Train Travel

Most states prohibit animals on buses and trains with the exception of seeing-eye dogs. Inquire in advance with the bus or train company regarding their specific regulations.

Camping with Pets

Always keep a close eye on your pet when camping and always walk it on a leash. You never know if your fellow campers are animal lovers or not and your pet may not instinctively know that wild animals see it as a potential meal and not a playmate. Rabies, Lyme disease, Ehrlichia and Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever are just a few of the diseases your pet may be exposed to while camping. Discuss specific concerns with your veterinarian before leaving. Check your pet every day for injuries and external parasites. Do not leave your pet or its food outside in the campground at night.

Conclusion

Traveling with your pet can be a fun experience if you plan ahead. It is important to remember that different areas of the world harbor different diseases. If your pet becomes ill and has to go to the veterinarian, be sure to tell them if you have recently traveled to other states or countries so they will know to look for diseases they might not normally consider.