If you are a pet owner, chances are at one point or another you will find yourself traveling with your pet. Whether you are simply going on vacation or moving to a new place, you need to make sure that you make your travel arrangements carefully so your pet experiences as little stress as possible.
Of course, your pet becoming stressed is not the only thing you need to worry about when traveling. Depending upon your mode of travel, there are various other things that you will need to take care of as well to ensure that your pet is able to travel with you with no complications.
Traveling with Your Pet by Air
Whether you plan to travel with your dog or travel with your cat, most of the pet air travel guidelines are the same and need to be met accordingly or you may not be able to get your pet on the plane. Each airline will generally have their own pet air travel guidelines that must be met, but there are some guidelines that are universal.
When flying with your pet, it must not only be up to date on all of it's vaccinations, but you will also need to obtain a Certificate of Health from your veterinarian. Without this certificate, flying with your pet is impossible and you will not be able to get on the plane with the pet. The Certificate of Health can usually be obtained from your veterinarian within 10 days from your travel date.
You will also need to have a pet carrier that is approved by the airline. If you plan to travel with your dog and your dog is large, your pet will more than likely have to go in the cargo area in a special crate that has airline approval. If you are going to travel with your cat, or with a small dog, a special crate or carrier is still necessary but many times you can board the plane with your pet. If in doubt, contact the airline to ask for complete details about their pet air travel guidelines so that you can make sure that flying with your pet goes off without a hitch.
Traveling with Your Pet by Vehicle
If you are taking a road trip, traveling with your pet by vehicle is of course much easier than flying with your pet. There are still however, some special considerations that you should make. There are more risks of pet travel when you travel by car because it is much easier for your pet to get away from you and the trip is often much longer which is more stressful on your furry friend.
If you have room in your vehicle, you should of course keep your animal contained within a carrier or crate for their own safety. If you are going to travel with your dog and the appropriate size crate you need does not fit in the vehicle, purchase a quality doggy seat belt that will keep the dog in place and prevent it from roaming about the car.
Whether your are traveling with your pet by air, car or other means of transportation, always make sure to have their vaccination papers on hand in case something happens and you need to prove that your pet's vaccinations are current. It is also wise to carry an extra collar, leash and identification tag with you in case the ones they are wearing and using become lost. And finally, if you are concerned about traveling with your pet due to the stress they may experience, contact your veterinarian to discuss a prescription sedative that can help to keep them calm and stress-free.
Traveling with your pet may be challenging, but if you research and follow all of the pet traveling guidelines, you can make the trip less stressful for you and your loving buddy.
Happy trails from Globalpetvillage.
Global Pet Village is a worldwide family friendly community for pets and those who care about pets. Our goal is to provide an environment where pet owners can come together and exchange information, pictures, videos, diaries, common interests and useful ideas about their pets.