Traveling with Your Pet

If you are traveling with your pet this holiday season, there are some pretty simple things you can do to make it a safe, happy trip for you and your pet. First, stay calm. Your pet will notice if you are agitated and will reflect that agitation. After that, everything else gets easier. You know your pet, and your pet knows you, so keep that in mind as you review these tips for traveling with your pet.

Before you ever leave your door, make sure your host(s) are informed and OK with hosting your pet. Unless all of your friends and family know that inviting you is inviting your pet as well, it is only common courtesy to make sure they will be accepting and welcoming to the extra guest. Don't allude, don't suggest, ask. This can go a long way in making sure you and your pet will receive a warm reception when you arrive at your destination. If you are traveling by car and planning on staying in hotels or motels, make sure your pet is welcome as well.

If traveling by air, you will have extra requirements from the airline. If your pet is small and will ride with you in the cabin, your carrier must be an approved carrier, so make sure yours is clean, secure, and meets the airline's requirements. Also prepare for a little more time going through airport security. If you are checking your pet into the baggage compartment, be sure to bring additional cage restraints, such as zip ties, to secure your pets cage. Don't tie up the carrier until you've gone through security however, in case security wants to inspect the inside of the carrier.

Don't give your furry friend a big meal before traveling. It can upset their stomachs with the added stress and the last thing you want is a mess inside your pet's cage on arrival. Underfeeding or skipping a planned meal before you travel with your pet is a kindness, not a cruelty. If you are convinced that your pet should be sedated for air travel, please do it under the guidance of your veterinarian. Drugging your pet with over the counter or prescription medication can cause radical changes in their internal body temperature, and this can be dangerous to their health.

If you're traveling by car, plan on extra stops for your pet's convenience. Do not wait for alarm symptoms in your pet's behavior, by that time it could be too late. Unless you know you're going to have access to easily available grocery or pet stores at your destination, be sure to take sufficient food for your pet. Especially if you feed your four-footed friend a special diet, you will want to ensure that your pet eats the food it is accustomed to. Changing your pet's diet combined with the stress of travel can upset the digestive system, and I don't need to explain what that can mean in relation to your host's good graces!

Lastly, make sure that your pet's tags include your cell phone number. You can purchase temporary travel tags that also include your holiday address and contact information.