Basic Dog Travel Accessories for Any Occasion: Kennels

Whether traveling by boat, plane, car or any other conveyance, invest in a sturdy travel container. The temporary cardboard carriers from the big-box pet supply store are not appropriate as dog travel accessories.

Minimum Standards

The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers minimum dog travel container requirements.

* The door of the container must be made of metal (not plastic) to avoid the dog's chewing through the material.

* Although wheels make the overall transport of a kenneled dog easier on the owner, airlines do not accept these containers. Stay away from anything with wheels, unless they can be easily detached.

Raising the Bar

Of course, just because an airline may permit the dog to travel, other transportation carriers do not have to be so generous. IPATA International explains that (thus far) interstate bus companies, such as Amtrak and Greyhound, do not permit companion dogs to travel on their conveyances -- even if the animals are crated. With respect to ocean travel, dog lovers may find further restrictions in place.

Special Considerations for Air Travel with Brachycephalic Dogs

Traveling by plane with a brachycephalic dog (a dog with a short nose) poses additional risks to the animal. Quoting the U.S. Department of Transportation, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) alerts dog lovers that pugs, boxers, Shih Tzus, Pekingese, Lhasa Apsos and similar short-nosed canines are at higher risk of dying during air travel.

When traveling with this type of companion animal, be sure to not bring along a thick blanket or pillow but instead only line the travel carrier with newspaper. In fact, the best solution -- if the animal is small enough -- is to bring the dog onto the plan and stash it in a pet carrier underneath the airline seat. The FAA requires the dog carrier to be so small that it fits fully under the airline seat and does not block the path of anyone attempting to access the main aisle.

Other Must-have Canine Travel Accessories

Although the portable, sturdy kennel and lightweight blanket or newspaper lining may sound like common sense dog travel accessories, there are other items that the pet lover must consider.

* Pet ID tags: Attach an updated tag to the dog's collar and to the exterior of the kennel.

* Microchip: A collar may come off but a microchip is permanent. The pet lover who takes off the collar for fear of having the animal get caught and strangled with the item finds that the microchip heightens the odds of being reunited with the pet (if it gets lost).

* Creature comforts: Bring along a dog bed or favorite blanket for the animal to rest on when outside the kennel. Familiar toys and dishes for food and water are another 'must'.

* Lifesaving first aid kit: The AVMA provides an exhaustive list of first aid items -- such as gauze, adhesive tape and hydrogen peroxide -- to bring along.

Remember that no generic list of dog travel accessories can fully do justice to your companion canine. While these guidelines provide a general idea of must-have goods that make the trip safer and more comfortable, your particular pooch may have additional needs and preferences to factor in when choosing additional accessories to bring along.

Sources

U.S. Department of Agriculture: "Tips, Facts, and Scam Information-- For You and Your Pet"

IPATA International: "FAQ"

American Veterinary Medical Association: "Frequently asked questions by pet owners about short-nosed dogs and air travel"

FAA: "Pets in the Passenger Cabin"

AVMA: "Pet First Aid Supplies Checklist"