5 Tricks for Traveling Safely With Your Pet

Traveling with a pet can be rewarding, but it takes more preparation than packing a bag. Pets get carsick, stress easily in unfamiliar places and cannot tell you when something is wrong. A little planning keeps them safe and makes the trip more enjoyable for everyone.

These five tricks apply to most car trips, and several apply to air or hotel travel. Rules vary by airline, state and country, so always check requirements well in advance.

1. Visit the vet before you go

Schedule a checkup a few weeks before departure. Make sure vaccinations are current, ask about flea, tick and heartworm prevention, and discuss any concerns such as motion sickness or anxiety. If you are flying or crossing borders, many places require a health certificate issued within a set window, sometimes 10 days of travel, so confirm exact rules early.

Tip: Never give your pet sedatives or human medications without veterinary advice. Sedation can be dangerous, especially for air travel.

2. Use a secure carrier or restraint

An unrestrained pet in a car can distract the driver and be injured in a sudden stop. Dogs should ride in a crash-tested harness attached to a seat belt, or in a secure, well-ventilated crate. Cats and little pets should travel in a hard-sided carrier that is large enough to stand and turn around in, anchored so it cannot slide.

• Introduce the carrier at home weeks beforehand. Leave it out with treats and bedding.
• Keep pets in the back seat, away from airbags.
• Never leave a pet in a parked car, because the temperature rises quickly.

3. Plan the route, stops and accommodations

Take a break every 2 to 3 hours so your dog can drink, stretch and relieve itself on a leash. Offer little amounts of water often, and feed light meals a few hours before leaving to reduce nausea. Cats usually stay in their carriers, but you can offer water at rest stops, with a little litter box available during longer trips.

Book pet-friendly hotels in advance and ask about fees, size limits and rules. Many charge a nightly or flat pet fee, typically between $20 and $75, though policies vary. When you arrive, check the room for hazards like exposed cords or open balconies.

4. Pack a pet travel kit

Having familiar items makes a strange place feel safer. A well-stocked kit prevents emergencies and last-minute shopping.

• Enough regular food for the trip plus a couple of extra days, in a sealed container.
• Bottled or home water, since sudden changes can upset digestion.
• Bowls, a leash, waste bags, a litter box and litter.
• Medications, vaccine records and the vet's phone number.
• A familiar blanket or toy, a pet first-aid kit and a recent photo.

5. Keep identification current

Pets can bolt in a new environment. Make sure your pet wears a collar with an ID tag listing your cell phone number, and that the microchip registration has your up-to-date contact information. Consider a temporary tag with your destination address and phone number. Keep a photo on your phone to help others identify your pet if it goes missing.

At your destination, keep dogs on a leash and cats inside until they have settled. Never let a pet roam free in an unfamiliar area.

Help your pet stay calm

Stress shows up as panting, drooling, hiding or vocalizing. Keep the car quiet and cool, play soft music, and keep your own voice calm. A blanket that smells like home can help, and some pets benefit from calming products your vet recommends. Take a few short practice drives before the real trip, ending at a fun place like the park so the car predicts good things.

Common pitfalls to avoid

• Waiting until the last minute for health paperwork.
• Feeding a large meal right before driving.
• Letting a dog hang its head out of a moving car window, where debris can injure the eyes.
• Assuming every airline or hotel accepts all breeds and sizes.
• Skipping a practice drive. Short trips beforehand help pets adjust.

Flat-faced breeds such as pugs and bulldogs often have breathing difficulties and may be unsafe to fly, so ask your veterinarian about the best options. With careful planning and patience, travel can be a positive experience that you and your pet remember fondly.