Best Tips for Traveling with Your Pet

Guest post by Monica Heft

Monica Heft is a pet and wildlife lover who is always ready to find
interesting facts about various animal species. She always tries to
increase awareness among people regarding animal conservation. More info at Animal Creative Facts

When the holidays or vacations come up, everyone plans a trip to relax and take a break from their everyday routine. Vacation also is the time to get closer and create a strong bond with your family or friends. However, there are some people who either like to travel alone or with their four-legged pup. Earlier, pets were not allowed to travel by air, but now certain airlines allow people to take their pets with them. 

Traveling with a pet can be stressful, particularly when you are traveling for the first time. Some animals don’t mind to travel freely and make great travel buddies. Just like we humans are different, every animal has unique capabilities and adopts the world differently. So, when you travel with your pet either for the first time or second, there are specific tips for traveling with your pet which you need to follow. These tips will help you and your furry friend to have a seamless journey.

Before You Go

First and most importantly, you need to ensure that your pet is fit to travel. It is so because some animals cannot handle travel because of age, illness, or any specific medical issue. So before traveling with your pet, make sure you consult a vet. 

Identification

Before traveling, you need to make sure that your pet has all the actual identities. You need to purchase an ID tag for your dog, which you can put on your pet’s collar that lists your home address, telephone number, as well as the temporary title containing the location of the hotel and phone number where you stay to plan. 

Another option is to microchip your pet, which is nowadays considered the right choice. Microchipping is a permanent and safe form when your pet accidentally gets free from his or her collar. Though a pet is chipped, ensure that information registered on the chip is accurate and up to date before departure.

Important Documents

An important tip while traveling with your pet is to make sure that you take photos and medical history documents prior to leaving. In a time of medical emergency, these medical history documents could be useful for the vet treating your furry buddy. Here you must note that some states require specific documentation like proof of rabies vaccines. So, you might go for a quick trip to the vet before you travel to any country. 

Accesories

When you take your pet for travel, you must carry a travel crate or carrier, which should be well-ventilated. The container or the carrier should be large enough for your pet to sit, stand, lie down, and turn around in it. It is helpful if you get your pet familiar with it while using a crate or carrier on travel. So, ensure your pet gets used to the carrier at home. Another important thing that you must keep in mind is that you purchase the crate according to the airlines’ size guidelines. 

In-Cabin Air Travel

Usually, small animals weighing around 20 pounds or less can travel in the cabin with an adult. However, only limited numbers are permitted to travel on each flight, so contact the airlines as soon as possible to reserve the place. Choose to opt for a flexible travel plan, like a midweek flight, to be less crowded.

You must also avoid flying with your pet during holidays and take a nonstop flight if possible. Still, if you have a layover, allow your dog to stretch its legs and use the bathroom at a pet relief station. Also, make yourself prepared for flight delays, and carry extra food for your pet. If you are traveling with your cat and want to have some food, can cats eat fruit?

Once you board, place your pet-friendly carrier under your seat or to the assigned place. Never put your pet up above in the bin even if you are told by your instructions by the airline’s staff. 

While take-off, give your pet some water or an ice-cube. The swallowing can help the ears while the plane is ascending, alleviating any discomfort. 

Calming a pet is not suggested before flying as it could prevent breathing. If you are bothered about your pet becoming anxious mid-flight, you can try the thunder shirt, which has worked for many nervous traveling pets. 

Traveling With Your Pet in Cargo Hold

Depending on the airline, you can either take your pet to the check-in counter to be taken away like your regular baggage or to take them to a separate cargo drop-off in a location different from the airport. Though flying with your pet in cargo is not recommended, sometimes it becomes problematic. Some of the airlines also ban snub-nosed breeds of dogs and cats, which are susceptible to difficulty in breathing from traveling in cargo. A separate booking is needed for any pets flying cargo. 

It is also essential to avoid traveling when the weather is extremely cold or hot because its not good for the pets and most airlines won’t allow pets to fly in cargo during the summer months. 

Conclusion

Traveling with your pet by air or any other transport mode can be difficult the first time for both you and your pet. However, nowadays many airlines and hotels are pet-friendly. The only thing you need to keep in mind is that you must train your pet for a crate or carriage and take your pet to the vet for medical examination before flying. These best tips for traveling with your pet might help you while traveling with your pet either in-plane or by cargo. 

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