No Matter What Kind of Trip, This Pet Travel Checklist Can Help

As you know, the holiday season is a time when families come together, and many pet parents will be traveling with their fuzzy companions.

To help you prepare, we’ve made some handy cat and dog travel checklists to help keep your pets safe during the trip.

Traveling With Your Dog

Are you needing to travel with your dog on a vacation? Dogs can be great travel companions, as long as you think ahead about your pup’s travel needs. Check out this dog travel checklist to help you pack your suitcase with him in mind.

Take into consideration your pup’s comfort level. Does he get carsick? Can he get in and out of a vehicle without trouble? If you have reason to think your car trip might make your dog anxious it might be best to leave your pup at home with a caregiver or at a kennel.

Always confine your dog when traveling in a car, whether that be in a crate or with a harness, but visit rest stops frequently so he can stretch his legs. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) suggests stopping every two to three hours to allow your dog to get out of the vehicle, have a chance to go to the bathroom and have a drink.

Never leave an animal in a parked car! Even on a cool day, temperatures in a parked car can peak quickly, placing your pet at risk for heatstroke or death. On cold days, your pet could suffer hypothermia in a closed car.

Your dog travel checklist for the car, should include the following items:

• Sufficient food and water for the entire trip.
• Treats… because let’s be honest, your dog’s a good boy and deserves a treat now and again.
• Dog poop bags.
• A leash.
• A blanket or towel for your pup to lie on.
• A favorite toy or bone.
• A current picture of your dog (to show to people in case you get separated).
• A tag with detailed travel information, including your cell phone number.
• Sunscreen if you’re going to be in the sun somewhere. Dogs can get sunburned too.

Camping Trips

Research ahead of time to make sure that you find a pet-friendly campground. Most campgrounds have their pet policy right on their websites. The last thing you want to do is show up for a weekend of fun only to find out your pooch isn’t welcome!

Visit your veterinarian before you depart to make sure your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations. You also want to make sure your pup is protected from ticks, mosquitoes, and other insects. Just like with humans, dogs can fall ill from Lyme disease and West Nile virus. Talk to your vet about the best precautions and flea and tick medicine to take.

Always keep your dog on a leash. You might be tempted to let your dog roam free, but remember he is not in a familiar location and can easily become lost among the trees. Also, keeping your dog leashed can prevent him from getting into a fight with a coyote, bear, raccoon or other wild animal. Even a small bite or scratch from a wild animal could result in a serious injury.

Your camping travel checklist should include everything that is on the car travel checklist and also a first-aid kit. You should pack the following:

• Proof of current vaccinations.
• An extra leash and collar.
• Soap and water to disinfect any wounds that might occur and keep the wound dry.
• Brush or comb. These will come in handy if your dog walks through the woods and picks up things in his fur.
• Towel for your dog. Trust us, your dog is going to get dirty while camping, so it’s a good idea to wipe him down before letting him in a camper or tent.
• Tweezers if he does happen to get bitten by a tick.
• Dog bed, so he doesn’t have to sleep on the ground.
• Life jacket if any boating will be involved.

Flying (Domestic and International)

Check your airline’s website before you go because policies on pet travel differ. You want to be prepared to meet all the specific rules and regulations before leaving for the airport. It’s also a good idea to check twice! Look again at the policies at least a few days before you leave to ensure the airline hasn’t changed its rules without notifying you.

Figure out where your pet will fly. Many airlines, for instance, now allow dogs under a certain size to travel with you in the cabin of the plane. Other carriers may not allow animals at all.

Along with figuring out the specifics of time in the air, also visit the website of the airports you’ll be traveling through. You’ll want to find out the policies on taking pets out of carriers in terminals and whether they have spots dedicated to “pet relief” where your dog can go to the bathroom and stretch his legs. A visit to your veterinarian is a must before you go to update any vaccinations. In addition, many countries have different requirements for admitting animals. Your vet can help you in determining the travel requirements to the country you’re visiting and make sure you’re meeting all requirements. One of the requirements of some countries is quarantine. Quarantine can last anywhere from a few days to months depending on the country, so be ready for that added expense. The United States Department of Agriculture keeps an up-to-date list of travel requirements by country. Be prepared for last-minute changes because countries can alter their restrictions often depending on health concerns.

Your travel checklist will vary by airline, which is why it’s important to check their specific policies. As an example, JetBlue’s checklist includes:

• Necessary vaccinations and documentation.
• ID tags.
• Pet license.
• Approved pet carrier.
• Pet snacks and treats.

If your dog cannot ride in the cabin with you be sure to put plenty of water and some food in his kennel, as well as his favorite toy and something that smells like you so he doesn’t get anxious on the flight.

Your dog is with you at home all the time, so why shouldn’t he be with you while you’re enjoying some much needed rest and relaxation. Taking time to prepare your dog for your vacation as you would yourself or your family will make the process much easier so the two of you can enjoy your time together without unnecessary hassles.

Traveling With Your Cat

Most cats are not particularly happy travelers – they are usually bonded strongly to their own territory and feel very vulnerable off home ground. The rewards of staying with the family ‘pack’ or the potential of exploring or walking somewhere new at the end of the journey do not excite the average feline in the same way as its canine cousins.

If you wish to take your cat on a train/car or air journey you will have to ensure it is safely and comfortably secure in an appropriate carrier and is kept confined at the end of the journey, at least until it has become bonded to the new territory. Of course you get the occasional cat that travels frequently with its owner and does not panic or run off in a new environment, however, these are few and far between.

Traveling by car

It can be very dangerous to have a cat loose in the car – not only could it cause an accident by becoming entangled with the driver, but if a window or door was opened or an accident occurred, the cat could escape and become lost.

You will need to invest in a carrier that is strong and easy to clean should the cat urinate, defecate or become sick during the journey. Also consider the weather you will be traveling in – both your present situation and the likely temperature of your destination. If it is likely to be very hot then use a carrier which allows good air flow – if it is going to be cold then one which can provide draft-free warmth while still allowing a good air flow would be useful. Place the carrier where it will be secure if you have to brake suddenly but where it has a good air flow – i.e. not underneath lots of other luggage in the back of the car. Do not put the cat in the trunk and take care with the rear of hatchbacks – ventilation may be poor and the cat may overheat. You can secure the carrier behind one of the front seats or use the seat belt to make sure it is held securely on the seat.

What’s all that noise about?

The cat may meow initially or even throughout the whole journey – speak calmly and reassuringly to it but resist letting it out of its carrier. The noise will probably drive you mad but the cat is unlikely to be suffering; just voicing its dislike of the situation! Eventually the constant motion and noise of the car will probably induce it to sleep or at least to settle down. Check the cat regularly, especially if the weather is hot – don’t underestimate how rapidly the temperature inside a car can rise – bear this in mind if you stop for a refreshment break and leave the cat in the car. Put the car in the shade and leave windows open – if it is very hot take a picnic and eat it nearby with the cat secure in its carrier outside the car or with all the doors open. Heat-stroke can be a killer.

Traveling by train

Obviously if you are traveling by train you will need a very secure carrier which the cat cannot possibly escape from, but one which is also light enough to carry. You may want one with a solid base in case the cat urinates so that it does not soil the railway carriage. Line it with absorbent paper and material and take spare bedding too. You will probably be able to keep the cat in its carrier on your lap depending on the type of train and the space available.

Traveling by air

If you intend to travel by plane with your cat then you need to plan well ahead. You may have a choice of airlines and how they can transport your cat may influence your choice. Most airlines do not allow cats to travel with their owners and have to travel in a special part of the hold that is heated and pressurized.

Most cats do travel well but it is not recommended to send a pregnant cat or kittens under three months old. Also note that not all flights are licensed to carry animals so the cat may have to travel on a different flight to you.

Arriving at your destination

When you arrive, place the cat in one room and make sure it is secure, comfortable and cannot escape. Offer water and a little food although it may not be interested in eating until it settles in a little more. Withhold food for about 12 hours so that the cat is hungry and comes back to you for food when you call. Gradually let it explore further and use food to ensure it does not go too far and returns for regular meals.

Using a carrier

For cats the production of a carrier usually means a trip to the veterinarian so they are often not too keen to get into it! Take time to let the cat become accustomed to the carrier or travel crate well before the journey.

Make it a pleasant place to be – feed the cat treats inside it and make a cozy bed of familiar smelling bedding which can be used on the journey. Leave the door open and encourage the cat to go in and out and to sleep in it. Then, when it comes to the actual journey, the cat is at least familiar with its immediate environment.

If you have more than one cat it is better to give them separate carriers which allows better flow through of air, more room and less chance of overheating. Even the best of friends may become stressed during a journey and behave in an uncharacteristic, agitated way with each other; separate carriers will prevent any injury. If they can at least see and hear each other they may be comforted by that.

Withhold food for about four to five hours before the journey in case the cat is sick while traveling. Offer water up to the time you leave and again during the journey if possible. You can buy bowls which attach to cages so they are not spilled by the cat during the journey and are easy to fill without opening the cage should there be a delay during the journey.

Article courtesy of Hill’s