Summer Pet Travel Tips for a Stress-Free Vacation
Bringing your pet with you on a trip can definitely make the experience more fun and memorable. There’s a lot to get excited about, but as with anything related to your pet’s health and safety, there’s a substantial checklist that requires time and attention. We have some planning advice, essential details, and helpful tips to help you arrange the best summer pet travel itinerary.
Hit the Road
Many pets are happy to hop in the car, even if it’s for a day’s worth of driving. If your pet isn’t accustomed to the car, it’s never too early to train them to accept the backseat.
Ensuring their safety is priority number one. Invest in a secure harness in order to attach them to the seatbelt tether. The following are also paramount to a successful road trip:
- Comfortable fabric on the seat
- Toys
- Lots of water breaks, bathroom breaks, and outside run-around time
- Snacks
- Easily accessible crate that your pet can retreat to, if necessary
Your pet should never be left alone inside the car. Even a short time spent trapped in a parked car can cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke, resulting in a medical emergency or death.
Let us know if your pet gets car sick; we can help you find the right medication that reduces symptoms.
Open Skies
Air travel might be a viable option, but it’s not without complications or risks. Depending on your pet’s size, they may be able to remain inside the cabin with you. Larger pets must crated and stowed in the cargo area of the plane. Some airlines have certain restrictions pertaining to size or breed, so it’s critical to work this out prior to making plans.
Your pet must be examined in order to achieve a travel certificate required by the airlines and possible destinations. Up-to-date vaccinations and proof of parasite prevention medication are both also necessary.
Where to Stay
There are abundant pet-friendly accommodations out there, but sometimes extra fees might be involved. Always read the fine print so you know what to expect before arriving at your destination. Since your pet’s safety and comfort are at stake, it’s critical to know as much as possible about your accommodations before you arrive.
There are lots of places that cannot accommodate pets (including some restaurants, museums, theaters, and other tourist destinations), so it’s best to know this ahead of time. Leaving your pet alone in the hotel or vacation rental may work, but only if you’re confident they’ll be okay for an hour or two. Place a “do not disturb” sign on the door so your pet doesn’t escape during cleaning.
Summer Pet Travel
To help you plan your summer pet travel itinerary, don’t forget the following:
- Food, water, and packable bowls
- Medication
- Travel certificate
- Medical records
- Microchip information
- Back-up collar and ID tags
- Recent picture of your pet
- Sunblock
- Portable shade
- Rain jacket and booties
- Pet first-aid kit
- Bedding
- Toys
- Numbers/websites of veterinary hospitals in/near your destination
Plan ahead by imagining all the possible scenarios your pet could get into while away from home. If summer pet travel plans aren’t in the cards this year, don’t worry! We can help you find the right boarding facility or pet sitter..
Give us a call at (408) 402-3071 with any questions or concerns about summer pet travel. The Whole Pet Vet Hospital & Wellness Center is happy to help.