Traveling with your pet

June 2007 - by Doctor Denise E. Roche, D.V.M.

Summer time is travel time.  Many of us want to include our four-legged friends in our travels. Remember these important pointers when preparing for your trip so that you and your furry companions have an enjoyable trip.

Identification is a must.  Your pet should wear a standard identification tag that includes your name, home address, home phone number and cell phone number.  You may also want to include your veterinarian’s telephone number as a back up contact.  Additionally your pet should wear a travel tag which includes your temporary travel contact information so that you can be contacted at your vacation destination.  Strongly consider having your pet microchipped.  The microchip contains a unique number and can be used to retrieve your information and reunite you with your pet.  Most animal shelters, animal rescue groups and veterinary hospitals will scan a found pet for the presence of a microchip. Moreover, microchips are a permanent, unquestionable means of identifying an animal as your pet.

Health papers are also a must.  If you are traveling by plane the airline will require that your pet receive a veterinary exam and a health certificate 10 days prior to the flight.  When traveling by car, it is advisable to have a current health certificate especially if you are crossing state lines. A health certificate is required if you cross international borders.  Also have proof of rabies vaccination and vaccination history handy so that it is available in case you need to lodge your pet at a boarding facility while on vacation.

Pack your pet’s medications and carry a copy of pertinent medical history with you in case you need to make an unexpected veterinary visit while you travel.  Also consider beforehand whether your pet is truly able to withstand the rigors of a trip.  Some chronically ill pets may not handle the stress of travel well and in these instances there really is no place like home. 

Find out in advance if your pet is welcome. The web site www.petswelcome.com has a list of hotels that are pet friendly. Verify when making your reservation that pets are indeed still welcome guests. Policies can change.  If staying with friends or family be considerate and specifically ask whether or not they would mind your pet visiting. Consider bringing along a portable kennel for use in the host’s home or in the hotel room so that your pet feels more secure in an unfamiliar surrounding. Place the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your hotel room door when you are out and your pet is left behind so that hotel personnel do not enter the room.  

Adequately acclimate your pet to its traveling carrier or kennel long before the trip.  Do not wait until the last minute because then all of you will be unhappy travelers. Associate the travel carrier with special toys and treats and slowly work on longer stays within the crate.  Reward your pet for calm behavior in the carrier.

If your pet is not accustomed to car travel, try a few short car rides as test drives.  If your pet gets car sick consider a tranquilizer or motion sickness medication to calm your pet. These short practice runs may point out that perhaps your pet will not be a good traveler.  Better to know ahead of time and make other arrangements rather than being frustrated and anxious miles away from home.  Dogs riding in a car should be in a secure harness or a sturdy carrier.  This is to ensure their safety if a sudden turn, stop or accident occurs.  If the car is equipped with airbags, your pet should not be allowed to ride in the passenger seat.  Harm could occur if the airbag deploys.  Cats should always be confined to a cage or carrier to help them feel secure and to assure your safety while driving.  A free roaming cat can become tangled underfoot or can squirm behind the dashboard. Depending on the length of the trip, a small makeshift litterbox may need to be placed in the cat cage.  Pack an extra jug of water so that water is readily available for your pet. Carry extra clean towels or blankets so that your pet has soft padded bedding and you have absorbent materials if needed.  Keep a cleaning solution handy just in case. Fast your pet the morning of travel - wait to feed them after arriving at your destination.  Allow your dog to stretch and exercise and drink a little water when you make pit stops.  And remember to never leave your pet in a parked car when humidity or temperatures are elevated.   

Airline travel is much more complicated. 14 pets died, 6 animals were lost and four pets were injured when traveling by air from May to September of 2006.  In general, I do not recommend airline travel unless the pet can fly inside the cabin with their owner. Most airlines restrict animals flying within the cabin to be 15 lbs or less and that their carrier fit under the airplane seat. Cargo hold travel is inherently more risky but sometimes this is the only option. If your pet must be shipped in the cargo hold, schedule your flight on a weekday when airports are less hectic and take a direct flight.  Avoid flying during extreme cold or hot weather conditions.  Fly midday during the winter and fly morning or evening during summer to ensure the safest temperatures.

When choosing a shipping crate make sure that it is large enough for your pet to stand up in without touching the top, be able to turn around in and lie down in.  The crate should be ventilated on all 3 non-door sides. Make sure the door latches well.  Consider placing extra tie wraps on the door to prevent it from accidentally popping open during transport.  Place absorbable material, such as a soft blank or towel, in the bottom of the crate to keep your pet comfortable, warm and dry. 

Most crates come with a water cup that attaches inside the crate door.  Freeze water inside the cup the night before the trip and then the ice will slowly melt in the water dish while your pet is en route.  Airline personnel will not open your pet’s cage door to replace spilt water. Have the transportation crate clearly labeled with your contact and destination information as well as flight information. Attach the “Live Animals” arrow stickers indicating the crate’s upright position.

Reconfirm your flight arrangements the day before traveling and call the same day to see if there are any delays.  Flight delays and waiting are more stressful when a pet is involved. As with car travel, fast your pet the morning of your flight. Try to exercise your dog that morning to help it relax and sleep during the trip.

Arrive at the airport 2 hours early with paperwork organized and ready. Pack your leash in your carry on luggage. When boarding the plane, alert the flight attendant that you are the owner of the pet traveling in cargo. Controversy exists around using tranquilizers for pets traveling by air.  Some worry that a tranquilized pet may not be able to brace itself properly in the travel crate and this may result in injury.  Also body temperature regulation can be a concern with a tranquilized pet.  If your pet must be tranquilized to fly, ask yourself if the risks are really worth it.

If this trip is optional for your pet perhaps it is best to leave your nervous pet behind.  Use the money you would have spent on the airline ticket to upgrade amenities at the boarding facility or use it towards a pet-sitting service.  Then both you and your pet will enjoy vacation time even if it ends up being separate vacations.    

Learn more about vacations with your pet here.