As we head toward the holidays, pet owners across the country are making accommodations so their pets can come along to visit family and friends. We all consider our pets to be members of our family, so it goes without saying that we want them by our sides, enjoying the festivities. However, traveling with pets requires careful planning to meet their needs while on the road and away from home. Following are five tips for holiday travel (and truly tips for everyday travel, too!) with pets to ensure the experience is smooth.
1. Pet-Friendly Accommodations
If you’re taking a long road trip that will require an overnight hotel stay, it’s important that you research pet-friendly accommodations since it’s not a guarantee that you’ll find one along the way. Likewise, if flying, research your airline’s pet policies to make sure your pet can be accommodated. Different airlines have different rules for traveling with pets, and not being aware of them in advance can ruin travel plans for the entire family.
2. Be Prepared
Just as you prepare young children for travel, be sure to organize and pack essentials for your pet—along with an extra supply of the most important things they’ll need. Prepare a bag that includes the necessities, and make sure you have enough medication to last the trip if your pet has any medical conditions requiring medication.
Items to pack in your pet’s bag include:
- Food and water bowls
- Collapsible/travel water bowl
- Treats
- Favorite toys and blanket
- Leash
- Waste bags
- Medications
3. Ease Anxiety
Pets of any kind can become anxious when uprooted from their homes, where they feel safe and secure. Plan ahead with strategies to ease their anxiety, so you’re not dealing with a nervous and hyperactive pet who suddenly finds themselves in a stressful situation.
Strategies to ease travel anxiety in pets include:
- Take practice trips – If you’re heading out on a road trip, take your pet on a few rides to warm them up to the experience. Pick a destination that is unfamiliar to them, so their surroundings in the car are different than their usual trips around town with you. Choose a location 30 minutes away, then increase the duration so they learn how to settle in for a longer car ride.
- Visit your veterinarian – If your pet is prone to anxiety in new situations, make a quick appointment with your veterinarian to discuss stress-reducing options. Likewise, if your pet is prone to car sickness, discuss anti-nausea medications for the journey.
- Plan comfort breaks – While getting to your destination quickly might be a priority for the humans in the car, your pet might need breaks to walk around, stretch, and take a break. A quick stop and fresh air will help ease any anxiety that might be building during the trip. Try out a sniffari with your canine kiddo at a new destination!
- Tire them out – Before hitting the road or getting on the airplane, tire your pet out so they sleep through some of the experience. Take them on a long walk or run, or have a fast-paced play session before heading out.
4. Hydrate Consistently
With the chaos of getting an entire family ready for a trip, it can be easily forgotten that pets pets need water at their disposal just like their human counterparts. This is especially true if you live in a warm geographic area, if sun is shining through the window onto your pet, or if space is tight. Bring along a travel water bottle designed specifically for pets, allowing you to dispense small amounts of water into a reservoir that they can easily drink from. A holiday trip can be easily ruined if your pet experiences a dehydration issue.
5. Make Your Pet Easily Identifiable
Regardless of your destination, it’s smart to bring along proof of your pet’s vaccinations, including rabies shots. This could be necessary at a pet-friendly hotel, for example, since other pets will be in the vicinity. Also, before departing for your holiday trip with a dog or cat, make sure the contact information and address attached to their microchip are updated, as well as the tags they’re wearing. They’ll be in an unfamiliar location, and won’t be able to find their way back if they get lost.
To ensure your holiday travel goes as smoothly as possible, follow these tips so your family can enjoy the season with your cherished pets. Of course,making sure your destination is also set up pet proof is essential as well! If you have any questions or concerns, it's always best to connect with your vet. They know your pet best!
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