Traveling

TIME FOR TRAVELING WITH YOUR PET

Planning and preparation are necessary when traveling with your pet. Consider whether your pet is comfortable when traveling. Some animals, like some people, function better in familiar surroundings. A carsick animal can make a trip miserable for everyone. Some dogs and cats cannot withstand the rigors of travel due to illness, injury, or temperament. If this is the case, discuss options such as using a reliable pet-sitter or a clean, well-managed boarding facility with your veterinarian instead of traveling with your pet and making everyone miserable. Whether you are traveling with your pet by air or ground, the decision whether to take a pet along on a trip is not one to take lightly, since traveling with your pet can cause an animal stress and expose him to dangers beyond your control. The choice is easy if your trip involves travel by bus, train, or ship, none of which typically allow pets onboard. Otherwise, the decision should come down to what is best for the animal. In addition, sometimes what is best is leaving the dog or cat behind.

If your pet is coming along, bring her to the veterinarian no more than 10 days before departing to ensure all vaccinations are up-to-date and that your pet is healthy enough to handle the type of travel you are planning. Ask your veterinarian about medications your pet will need, from refills of medications, to drugs that address travel anxiety. Inquire about getting your pet microchipped, a permanent form of identification. Make a file for your pet with all her veterinary information, plus current photos providing front and side views of her. Also, include contact information for your veterinarian. All this info comes in handy if she gets lost or requires emergency care when traveling with your pet. Finally, prepare your pet by making sure her ID tags are current. Pack a bag of travel supplies, including medications, pet food, water, towels, wipes, Baggies, leash cat litter, treats, and maybe some toys.

If you will be staying with friends along the way, be considerate. Traveling with your pet requires some extra responsibility. Find out in advance if the pet is welcome. The same goes for hotels, motels, parks, and campgrounds. Always check whether pets are allowed or kennel facilities are available. If the pet must be left alone in a hotel room, place a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door and inform the house cleaner and the front desk that you are traveling with your pet. Consider bringing along a portable kennel for use in hotel rooms or the homes of friends or relatives who are not comfortable having your pet loose when no one is home.

When traveling by car, make certain your pet is properly secured in a crate, doggie seatbelt or behind a barrier so she will not interfere with your driving or become airborne in a collision. Plan to stop regularly for potty breaks and to stretch legs, always keeping your pet on a leash when outside the vehicle. If you are traveling with your pet a long distance, plan your hotel stays in advance. Many hotels, motels, and bed-and-breakfasts allow pets, but check ahead of time and make reservations to ensure your pet is welcome.

A few general tips apply whether you are traveling with your pet by car or plane. Be sure your pet is properly identified with a current tag and/or a microchip. Grooming (bathing, combing, trimming nails) before a trip, plus having its favorite food, toy(s), and dishes available will make your pet more comfortable. Have proof of rabies vaccination and a current health certificate with you if you are traveling with your pet when crossing state or international borders. When traveling with your pet, keep a photo of your pet with you to help with identification in case your pet is lost.

Before undertaking any trip, consult your veterinarian to be sure that all required vaccinations are up-to-date and to receive a health certificate within ten days of travel.

Air travel is of most concern to pet owners. The airlines sometimes update their regulations on traveling with your pet including restrictions on breeds and size, and may charge for checked kennels. Most airlines require a health certificate issued within 10 days prior to travel. Check with the airline well in advance for their current regulations. Many of the major airlines allow cats and small dogs to travel in specially designed carry-on luggage that will fit under the seat.

A pet might be able to ride in the aircraft cabin, as checked baggage in the hull of the same plane you are riding in or as cargo, typically a less hospitable way to travel for pets. Most airlines have very specific regulations for traveling with a pet, including when to arrive at the airport, appropriate containment (size and type of crate), what you can have in the crate, and how to properly identify your pet. As you can see, traveling with your pet poses its own unique challenges.

Federal regulations require that pets be at least 8 weeks old and weaned at least 5 days before traveling with your pet by air. Always try to book a nonstop flight and avoid plane changes and busy holidays whenever possible when traveling with your pet. During warm weather periods, choose early morning or late evening flights. In colder months, choose midday flights. Regulations associated with the Federal Animal Welfare Act prohibit airlines from accepting dogs and cats for shipment. If the airline cannot prevent exposure of the animal to temperatures less than 45 degrees F (7.2 C) or more than 85 degrees F (29.5 C) for more than 45 minutes when the animal is transferred between the terminal and the plane, or for more than 4 hours when the animal is in a holding facility. However, the prohibition against exposure to temperatures below 45 degrees F is waived if a veterinarian provides an acclimation certificate stating that the dog or cat can be exposed to lower temperatures. Your veterinarian cannot give a certificate allowing exposures to temperatures above 85 degrees F for more than 45 minutes. Brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs may have more difficulty with air travel.

If your pet is not traveling in the cabin with you (usually because he or she is too large to do so), schedule a nonstop flight to decrease the risk to your pet. If the plane experiences any long delays and your pet is traveling as baggage, INSIST THAT A CREW MEMBER CHECK THE TEMPERATURE IN THE HOLD, AND THAT YOUR PET BE REMOVED IF THE DELAY IS EXTENSIVE. Remember, that there is some risk in having your pet travel by air. While you and your pet may be eminently prepared for the flight, condition out of your control can put your pet at risk. if you don’t assertive charge, traveling with your pet could have some unwanted consequences and bills.

Reconfirm your flight arrangements when traveling with your pet the day before you leave to ensure there have been no unexpected flight changes. Arrive at the airport early, exercise your pet, personally place it in its crate, and pick up the animal promptly upon arrival at your destination. When boarding the plane, let the flight attendant know that your pet is in the cargo hold. If your pet will be traveling with you in the cabin, arrange to check in as late as possible to reduce the amount of time your pet will have to spend in the busy terminal.

Defective kennels are the most common cause of escaped or injured animals during air travel. Approved transport crates, available from most airlines or pet shops, must:

Be large enough to allow the animal to stand (without touching the top of the cage), sit erect, turn around, and lie down in a natural position.

• Latch securely.
• Be strong and free of interior protrusions, with handles or grips.
• Have a solid, leak-proof bottom that is covered with plenty of absorbent material.
• Be appropriately and clearly labeled. Include your name, home address; home phone number, and destination contact information, as well as a designation of “Live Animals,” with arrows indicating the crate’s upright position. In addition, carry your pet’s photo and health information with you on the plane for easy identification in the event the cage label is lost.
• Be adequately ventilated so that airflow is not impeded.

Before leaving on your trip, take time to accustom your pet to the crate in which it will be traveling.

Ask your veterinarian for specific feeding instructions before traveling with your pet. For your pet’s comfort, air travel on an almost empty stomach is usually recommended. The age and size of your pet, time and distance of the flight, and your pet’s regular dietary routine will be considered when feeding recommendations are made. It is recommended that you not give tranquilizers to your pet when traveling by air because they can increase the risk of heart or respiratory problems.

If your pet is not accustomed to car travel, take it for a few short rides before your trip so it will feel confident that a car outing does not necessarily mean a trip to the veterinarian or an unpleasant destination. Cats should always be confined to a cage or in a cat carrier to allow them to feel secure and prevent them from crawling under your feet while you are driving.

A dog that must ride in a truck bed should be confined in a protective kennel that is fastened to the truck bed. Dogs riding in a car should not ride in the passenger seat if it is equipped with an airbag, and should not be allowed to sit on the driver’s lap. Harnesses, tethers, and other accessories to secure pets during car travel are available at most pet stores. Accustom your dog to a seatbelt harness by attaching a leash and taking your dog for short walks while wearing it. Offer your dog a treat and praise at the end of the walk to associate a positive experience with wearing the harness. Pets should not be allowed to ride with their heads outside car windows. Particles of dirt or other debris can enter the eyes, ears, and nose, causing injury or infection.

Stick to your regular feeding routine and give the main meal at the end of the day or when you reach your destination. Feeding dry food will be more convenient, assuming your pet readily consumes it. Dispose of unused canned food unless it can be refrigerated. Take along a plastic jug of cold water in case other reliable water sources are not available. Give small portions of food and water and plan to stop every two hours for exercise. Remember to include a leash with your pet’s traveling supplies. If your dog is has a problem with carsickness, your veterinarian can prescribe medication that will help the dog feel comfortable during a long car trip. Pets should not be left unattended.

Most states prohibit animals from riding on buses and similar regulations restrict travel on trains. Exceptions are made for guide and service dogs accompanying blind and disabled persons. Consult your local carriers in advance for information.

Traveling with your pet to country settings presents its own challenges. Skunks, raccoons, porcupines, snakes, and other wildlife can bite or otherwise injure your pet. Keep your pet within sight and on a leash. Be considerate of other campers. Be sure to ask your veterinarian about flea, tick, and heartworm prevention before you leave.

Perform a daily “health check” on your pet when away from home. In unfamiliar surroundings, your pet’s appetite, energy, and disposition may change. Watch for unusual discharges from the nose and eyes, excessive scratching or biting of any body part, abnormal elimination, or excessive water consumption. Visit a local veterinarian if you are concerned about any physical or behavioral changes.

If your leave your pet behind and in safe hands, due to health issues, age, disposition or the nature of the trip, sometimes it is simply better to leave the animal at home. That leaves you with two options: find a pet sitter or using a local kennel. The best way to find a quality professional pet sitter or boarding kennel is to ask your veterinarian and trusted pet-loving friends for recommendations. Some pets do best in their home environment, in which case a PET SITTER is ideal. When you call a professional pet sitter, ask for current references, and call them before committing. Look for a sitter who is well qualified and experienced, as well as appropriately bonded and insured. Have the sitter come to your home to meet you pet and go over the various nuances of care. Be clear about the number of visits your expect and the amount of time for each visit, then put the terms of the new agreement in a written contract. Prominently post all emergency numbers plus written instructions for care, and review them with the sitter before departing.

If you choose a BOARDING KENNEL, also request and check references. Visit the kennel to ensure the facilities are clean and meet your pet’s needs. Ask how much attention each animal receives and which vaccinations are required to be boarded there. Make certain they can handle and, if necessary, medicate your pet. Always provide emergency contact information. Regardless of which type of care you choose, make certain your pet has current ID ant that you provide contact information for you or a family member in case you need to be reached.