Traveling With Your Pet

Traveling With Your Pet Takes Planning

Traveling with your pet can really add something extra to your vacation. After all, most of us consider our pets equal members of the family, and it's hard to think about leaving them behind in a kennel or even at home with a pet sitter. Somehow it just doesn't feel right.

Although adding a pet into your travel itinerary does complicate things a bit, it's well worth the effort, and don't think Rover won't appreciate the experience. As a matter of fact, many dogs love to travel and have an insatiable curiosity for new places filled with wonderful new smells. They get almost as much out of the experience as we do. At the other end of the spectrum, there are pets that don't particularly relish the actual traveling but will still feel far more secure just being with their owners.

With that in mind, let's talk about the kind of preparations that will help take the stress out of traveling with your pet.

Travel Tips and Advice

You'll need to decide whether you travel by car, train, or plane, as preparation for each differs greatly.

By Car

Traveling with your pet by car is by far the most convenient way to go, since you can be the master of your own destiny. Take off whenever you want, go where you will, and let your dog ride right beside you, not in a stuffy cargo hold.

Be sure to:

• Have your dog wear a collar and tag with full identification and contact info in case he becomes lost.
• Make sure his rabies vaccination is current and the tag is added to his collar.
• Bring along a leash and use it at every stop.
• Secure your dog with a pet car seat, seat belt or travel crate.
• Bring along a water bottle, bowls, and food.
• Carry a first aid kit, since you can use many of the supplies on your pet too.

By Train

Pet travel on trains is quite limited. In fact, the USA, England, Ireland, Finland, Norway, and Spain regulations do not even allow pets on the train unless they are service dogs such as seeing eye dogs.

However, some European countries, such as Germany and France, do welcome pets but may stipulate dogs ride in carriers or at least be leashed. And even though pets may be allowed, they may only ride in the main compartment with the permission of the other passengers. Otherwise, it's back to the baggage compartment - not a great place to ride.

By Plane

Dog air travel is by far the most difficult way to travel with your pet, as preparations must begin about six months in advance to have all the requirements in order.

In general you will need to:

• Call the airline well in advance to book the flight and receive a copy of all rules and regulations regarding pet travel.
• Make sure your pet's vaccinations are all current, especially the rabies vaccination.
• Obtain a health certificate from your vet.
• Purchase an airline approved travel crate, and label it with "LIVE ANIMAL", your contact info, and your pet's destination.
• Provide a water bottle that can be attached on the inside of the crate door.
• Check ahead about quarantine rules and requirements, if you're traveling to Hawaii or a foreign country.

Even with all the careful preparations, traveling by air is risky for pets. Although the number of incidents have declined in recent years, dogs do still sometimes get lost in transit, escape on the tarmac, and even die in the cargo hold. Additionally, many airlines prohibit dog air travel during extreme high and low temperatures, so this must also be taken into consideration when making your plans.

If your pet meets the size requirements, it's always best to bring him as carry on in the cabin whenever possible.

About Hotels

Although not every hotel accepts dogs, you'll be relieved to know there are many pet friendly hotels, motels, and inns that will gladly let your pup be a guest as long as you meet their regulations. Some hotels limit canine guests by size and, in some cases, by breed. You may also be required to keep your pet in a carrier when you are not in the room.

The best advice is to plan your route ahead of time and check for dog friendly hotels along the way, being sure to ask about any specific rules they may have.

Conclusion

Hopefully we've given you enough information to help you start planning your next trip with your pet. Just remember to gather the information you will need well before hand, so you will be fully prepared when travel time arrives.

Happy trails!

External Links

• PetTravel.com - an easy-to-use source for finding out quarantine regulations by country