Holidays. More than one half of US pet owners take their pets with them on vacation! With their own seat belts, pet friendly hotels and campgrounds, and even their own luggage, our pets are often finding themselves along for the ride as we head out for our summertime vacation destinations.
Since our dogs and cats are not normally allowed on buses or trains, those pets who will be traveling with us will be going by air or by our cars. In either case, being prepared ahead of time will help you avoid any potential accident or injury. First and foremost, making sure that your pet has proper identification is not only important for everyday safety, but can actually be a life-saver when traveling.
When flying, make sure your pet has a health certificate signed by a veterinarian no more than 10 days before travel. In most cases, your pet will be traveling in the cargo area of the plane. For the pet’s safety, his or her crate should be large enough to allow the pet to stand, have a leak proof solid bottom, and, above all, should be easily secured to prevent the pet’s escape. Despite Internet blogs, air travel is actually very safe for you and your pet.
Traveling by car is often less complicated, but good preparation still provides many benefits. For example, a jug of clean water will be appreciated by your pet when fresh water is not available during a rest stop. Allowing for stretch breaks and rest stops every 2-3 hours can ease the stress of travel on your pet. In the case of some pets, travel is not a good idea. There are pets, like people, who will never learn to travel well. For these homebodies, discuss options of pet sitters and boarding facilities with your veterinarian. He or she will often have a list of locations that will help care for your friend while you travel.
