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Tips for Traveling with Pets

Anyone who has ever traveled with an animal knows how difficult it can be. Traveling with cats, traveling with dogs or traveling with other critters presents a host of problems. However, don't think that traveling with pets is impossible. With a little research and effort, you can ensure that both you and your pet will have a positive experience.

Your Pet's Personality
When deciding how to travel with pets, you must first assess your pet's personality. Each animal will respond differently to traveling, so ask yourself the following questions before traveling with pets:

• Will my pet become frightened or upset in new surroundings?
• Will my pet behave in closed quarters and not be a nuisance to others?
• Will my pet tolerate traveling?

These are questions only you can answer. Therefore, be absolutely honest, as it will benefit both you and your pet. If you have reservations, you should probably make a reservation for your pet at a kennel or a pet daycare center. Another alternative to traveling with your pet is to hire a pet sitter to come to your house.

A Few Pet Travel Basics
Even the most calm and dependable pet can become disoriented or frightened when taken out of his or her normal surroundings. Be sure to have an updated identification tag on your pet in case it bolts or gets lost during travel. Also, be extremely mindful of open doors and windows in cars and hotels, and keep your pet on a leash any time it has outdoor access.

Prior to traveling with your pet, you should telephone your vet and ask if your pet will need a check up or inoculations before traveling. You might also want to ask your vet for pet sedatives before traveling. Even if you don't need to use the sedatives on your pet, it's better to have them, just in case.

Air Travel with Pets
When traveling with your pet via airplane, you must first check the airline's policies on air travel with pets. To do this, you can either go to the airline's Web site or call the airline's customer service department. Sometimes the airline's rules for traveling with cats differs from those for traveling with dogs, so be specific when asking questions.

Also, be sure to ask whether or not you will need to reserve a spot for your pet in the cabin. Most airlines restrict the number of animals they can carry on a flight, so make sure to contact the airline as far in advance as possible. Also ask what travel pet carrier you will be required to provide for your animal.

One thing to remember when considering air travel with pets is that most airlines permit only small animals to fly in the airplane cabin. Larger pets will have to travel as checked baggage or cargo.

If you will be traveling across state lines with your pet, you might need to provide the airline with a valid health certificate. Also be aware that some destinations, such as Hawaii, require all entering animals to be quarantined.

Traveling with Your Pet in a Car
When traveling with pets in a car, you should get them comfortable with the car prior to embarking on your trip. For your own safety, you should probably keep your pet in a travel pet carrier until you are absolutely sure it will not interfere with your driving in any way.

Be sure to bring ample water and food and to plan adequate rest stops for your pet, especially since his or her system may be affected by the travel.

Destination Rules for Pets
Before traveling with your pet be sure you know your destination's rules and regulations for out-of-state or foreign animals. Not knowing whether a particular state or country will welcome your pet could result in your pet being involuntarily quarantined. You can usually look on the Web to find out your destination's rules on traveling with pets.

Also, be sure to find out whether your hotel accepts animals. While many hotels and motels accept pets, others have strict policies against admitting animals.

Pet Travel Gear
Here's a list of a few other things you should carry with you when traveling with pets:

• any vet-prescribed medicine
• chew toys
• deodorizer
• extra collar and leash
• pooper-scooper.

By researching and preparing before traveling with your pet, your trip will go much more smoothly and be much more enjoyable for everyone.