What could make a vacation better other than having your furry friend with you enjoying the little getaway too? Instead of leaving them with a pet sitter or a pet hotel, some of us want nothing more than to bring our pets wherever we go, but travelling with pets can be a daunting affair especially for first-timers.
For instance, you need to get your pet ready for the journey, find the appropriate carrier for them, find an accommodation that allows pets and understand the different policies between countries for travelling with pets. This can make the whole process all so confusing. Luckily for you, we have prepared this handy guide for you to know all about traveling with pets for a stress-free journey with your buddy!
Pre-travel preparation (overseas travel)
If you plan on taking your pet overseas with you, there is a lot of preparation to do before embarking on the trip. Here are some things you will have to do before travelling:
Learn the pet rules and laws of the place you’re visiting. Many countries like Australia have specific health, vaccination and quarantine regulations, and you may need to obtain a relevant import permit for your pet before the trip. In addition, some breeds of cats and dogs may not even be allowed into the country for places with more stringent guidelines. Thus it is important to check them before planning a trip. Visiting the embassy website of the country you plan to travel is a good idea in order to find out more about this process. Also, remember to take note of the timeline required for preparation beforehand.
Schedule a pre-travel check-up with your veterinarian. Some countries require things like rabies certification, blood tests and vaccinations. Getting all these necessary medical procedures could take up a significant amount of time and they should be scheduled earlier to avoid any hiccups in the process.
Obtain the relevant documents. This includes the medical history of the pet, official veterinary certificate, a pet passport, etc. which may be required depending on where you will be travelling to together. One of the most comprehensive documents to get is the pet passport, which will contain the relevant information (like vaccinations) and whether your pet is fit for travel, which makes travelling with your furry friend a much smoother process. If you are unsure of where to get this document, the PetTravelStore may be a possible place to find the appropriate passport for your destination country. The relevant certificates can also usually be obtained from approved vets! For those who live in the EU, the pet passport remains valid for as long as the pet lives but in the US, the “pet passport” usually refers to the collection of documents necessary for your pet to travel overseas.
Get some form of identification for your beloved pet. This can be done through purchasing an ID tag for your pet’s collar or getting them microchipped. If your pet ever gets lost or strays away (though we hope it never happens), as compared to other forms of identification such as a collar or tag, the microchip is a much more reliable indicator of your pet’s identity as it is permanent and would not be detached from them. Microchipping your pet increases the chances of you being able to reunite with them should you ever get separated. When travelling to many countries, getting your pet identification is absolutely necessary, but it is also a good idea in general even if you stay in the country.
Travelling on plane with pets
Taking your pet on a flight is never a simple affair - in addition to prepping your pet for the possibly frightening experience, airlines often have a long list of guidelines to abide by. Thus, this is the section dedicated on what to do for taking your pet onto a plane.
Learn about the airline’s policy regarding pets. While familiarising yourself with the policy, it is important to bear in mind that there is a distinction between taking your pet with you in the cabin or allowing them to go by cargo air travel and to decide what is best for your pet beforehand. One of the most important things to take note of is the airline approved pet carrier which may vary from company to company and its features like ventilation and wheels that will maximise your furry pal’s comfort during the journey. Similarly, for pets who will travel by cargo, the crate restrictions should also be considered.
Register your pet with the airlines beforehand. In most cases, you’ll have to provide details like the breed and gender of your pet to the office of the airline and they will proceed to check for available spaces and get you to fill in the required forms.
Take a walk before boarding the plane. The last thing you would want is an accident on the plane, so it is advisable to have your pet relieve themselves before the journey. Fortunately, many airports have pet-relief zones or outdoor areas for this exact purpose.
Avoid giving your pet any kind of medication/tranquillizer before boarding. Although it may be tempting to turn to sedation methods to calm your pet down, it is heavily advised against. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, sedating pets would increase their risks of having heart and respiratory problems during the flight. Instead, turn to other ways of keeping your furry companion relaxed such as introducing them to the flight kennel as early on as possible.
Learn about the pet-friendly areas in the airport. Many airports offer places like pet-relief rooms and some even have 24-hour grooming services! Scout out these locations to get the best experience for you and your pet.
Travelling by car with pets
As compared to air travel, having your furry friend with you in the car may be a lot less stressful for them but there are still many things to look out for, especially for long drives.
Spend a few days getting your pet used to being in the car for long hours. Your pet may be a regular passenger of your car, but having to stay in the space through long journeys may not sit as well with them. Needless to say, it is vital for them to feel at ease in the vehicle. This can be done by driving them to places like the dog park (not just the vet) beforehand, allowing them to associate the drive with positive emotions.
Feed the pet with a light meal at least four hours before the drive in order to avoid car sickness. Food and water increase the chance of the pet getting motion sickness and getting sick all over the car. However, if you find them to be very prone to motion sickness, it may be good to ask your vet for any medication to lessen those symptoms.
Regulate the temperature of the car. This is especially important for smaller animals like hamsters and guinea pigs which are more sensitive to temperature changes. To allow them to travel more comfortably, remember to regularly check on the temperature and leave the window slightly open (around an inch) if the air conditioner is not on - to give your pets some fresh air.
Make regular stops. For larger pets especially dogs, the stops are important for them to go on their potty breaks and get some exercise and water (which should be taken from a familiar source like from home to reduce any chances of them getting an upset stomach).
Travelling with pets by boat, bus, taxi or train
Similar to air travel, it is always advisable to find out about the transport’s pet policies - some vehicles only allow small pets so it is important to ask before booking the ride. The other information to inquire for before making any bookings include weight restrictions, relevant tickets for pets, or any other required procedures to go through.
What to pack
For the journey with your beloved pet, you’ll want to pack for all possibilities and these are the things you’ll have to prepare:
A travel kit. This should be a concise container of the necessities for your pet during the travel. The kit should contain things like extra food, a collapsible water bowl, and games and toys to keep the pets entertained during the journey. Such kits can easily be bought online or in many pet stores.
The right shipping carrier or crate. The carrier you choose for your pet plays a vital role in determining your pet’s comfort for the duration of the journey. The ideal carrier should be secure and large enough for the pet to sit or move around with ease. Also, to give your pet a better time in their carrier, make an effort to make it more comfortable by lining it with a soft absorbent bedding, or leaving a T-shirt with your scent (the familiar smell could keep pets like dogs more at ease).
Pet-friendly accommodation
After the long journey, the next step is, finally, to stay with your pet! After checking for a pet-friendly hotel, remember to also check for the additional pet policies that may have regulations against things like the size of the pet. Even at the most pet-friendly hotel, there are additional things to take note of for your pet to have the trip of a lifetime with you:
Create a safe space for your pet. In the hotel room, dedicate a small corner for your pet, where you put its blanket and water bowl, etc.
Leave the “Do not disturb” sign on. Whenever you leave the room without your pet, in order to prevent any accidents happening due to strangers entering the room, the sign should be left on your door. Another thing to take note of is the possibility of leaving the TV on if your pet feels more comfortable with the familiar sounds of the TV instead of the sounds coming from the other hotel rooms.
Select a room that best suits having a pet. For instance, dogs could be better housed on rooms on the first floor as they require regular walks. Furthermore, a room on the ground floor would also reduce the chance of disturbing the neighbours, especially with a dog that runs around the room a lot.
10 tips for travelling with pets
Choose a mode of travel that best suits your pet’s temperament - if your pet gets anxiety from being away from you, do not let them in the plane out-cabin.
If your pet is on medication or a special diet, remember to take an adequate supply from your veterinarian to last through the trip.
Attach the pet identification to the crate/carrier to avoid misplacing them and risk losing your beloved pet.
Never leave your pet alone in a vehicle. Even on a cloudy day, the car can trap a lot of heat which could be fatal to your pet.
Keep them hydrated and fed.
Take a non-stop flight to reduce the number of unnecessary procedures that your pet has to go through.
When travelling in a car, keep your windows locked to prevent your pet from lowering the windows and jumping out.
Book a pet-friendly rest stop along the way if you anticipate an overnight car journey.
Plan ahead for things like rest stops and veterinary hospitals on the way (just in case).
Try to give your pet more exercise right before the journey to make it more likely for them to sleep during the travel.
Travelling with animals
Taking your beloved pet with you on a holiday may take a lot of effort, but it may just be worth it to spend more time with that adorable animal. Hopefully, this guide allows you to prepare adequately for that trip.
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