Tired of Leaving Your Pets Home Alone? Here’s How You Can Travel With Your Pets
- By The Pet Bodega
How many times have you canceled the vacation plans that you were most excited about? There may have been numerous times when you haven’t been able to enjoy your holidays, constantly worrying about your pet at home. You could have prevented all this anxiety if you had brought your pet along during your vacation. As complex as it may sound, you can travel with your pet safely if you adhere to certain rules.
If you’re planning to travel with your pet, choose what is most comfortable and safe for them. For example, if you have a pet cat, it’s better that you leave them back at home. If you think your vacation won’t allow you to spend enough leisure time with your pet, they’ll probably be better off at home than merely tagging along.
However, if you intend to travel with your pet, here are some of the most sought-after tips for a safe and comfortable vacation.
Road Tripping With Your Pets
Have you noticed if your pet prefers being in front or the back of your car?
Always Keep Your Cats in Carriers
Note that most felines aren’t comfortable traveling in cars, which is why it is important to keep them in carriers and secure a seat belt around them. You’ll thank us later when you see fewer scratches on your car seats! Moreover, crates keep the cats from bounding around and getting hurt.
Dog Restraints/ Crates
If you don’t want your pet to get hurt during traveling, put them in a crate anchored to the car through a seatbelt. You can also use dog restraints or a pet bed to prevent your dogs from roaming in the car, but they aren’t the safest means as they won’t protect them during an accident.
Don’t Allow Your Pets to Peep Outside the Window
Don’t let them stick their heads out of the window as your pets could get hit by debris or get sick by inhaling cold air. If you’re traveling in your own truck/bus, don’t keep them in the back of an open vehicle.
Stop Often
Give your dog or cat plenty of stops to exercise, rehydrate and dissipate their energy. However, make sure you’re not letting them out without a collar, leash, and ID.
Never Leave Your Pet Alone in the Vehicle
You shouldn’t leave your pets alone in the car as it could cause serious harm to them. For instance, if it’s 73º degrees outside, your car can heat up to almost 116º within an hour. If it’s 84º outside, your car can heat up to 102º in just ten minutes! This could cause your pet to suffer organ failure or even death.
If you choose to bring your pet along with you, driving is the best option. If that’s not an option, it’s better to leave them under the care of a pet-sitter or boarding facility.
Air Travel
If you’re traveling by air with your pet, you’ll have to consider a lot of things.
Air travel can be dangerous for pets with a narrow or short nasal passage, such as French and English bulldogs, Boxers, Bull Mastiffs, pugs, Persian cats, and related breeds. Having a short nasal passage can give your pets heat strokes and breathlessness.
If you aim to fly with your pet, find out if they can travel in the cabin. The majority of airlines allow you to keep your cat or a small dog in the cabin for an additional payment. Make sure your pet fits all the size requirements. If you get intimidated by all the requirements, contact a pet-friendly travel agency that can help you navigate through the entire process.
Before you allow your pets to be flown in the cargo area, you should be aware that a few pets are injured, lost, or even killed because of exposure to hot or cold temperatures, rough handling, and poor ventilation.
Follow these tips if you’re traveling by air with your pet:
- Make sure your pet is wearing an ID or collar with your name, address, and telephone number.
- Avoid taking connecting flights.
- Notify the captain and the flight attendants about your pet.
- If you’re traveling during peak summer or winter months, book flights that will take care of the temperature extremities.
- Travel on the same flight as your pup or cat.
- Never ever put brachycephalic (short nasal passage) pets in the cargo holds.
- Carry the most recent photograph of your pet.
- Clip their nails to avoid them getting caught in the holes and other crevices.
- Do not have them put on tranquilizers unless advised by their vet.
- When you reach your destination, make sure to open the carrier and examine if your pet is doing alright. Take your pet to a veterinarian as soon as you notice something irregular.
Train Rides With Your Pets
Most trains in European countries and in the United States allow passengers to bring their pets. For example, Amtrak now allows pets on certain trains and assistance dogs on all trains. However, it’s the owners’ responsibility to exercise and take care of their pets.
Cruising With Your Pets
Other than service animals, only a few cruise lines allow passengers to bring their pets along with them. A few cruise lines allow pets in a private cabin, but the majority of them keep them in kennels. Contact your cruise line to be aware of all the regulations. If they keep pets in the kennels, make sure your pet is protected from the extremities and check on them often.
They Can Always Have a Staycation
Sometimes you really can’t bring your little furry loved one with you. Bring them to a local pet sitter through Rover, where they can tag along to a new park while you figure out some of your own travel plans. Save $20 off your first booking by clicking here.
Wrapping Up
The most crucial thing to remember is that while you’ll want to have the time of your life with your pup every time you’re vacationing, you are totally responsible for their health and well-being. If you’re unsure about being able to take care of them while you’re vacationing, it’s always a good idea to leave them at a boarding school or with trustworthy pet sitters. However, if you still want to take your pets with you on a holiday, exercise these steps and you’ll have a great time with your furry best friend!