How to: Travel with Pets – the Ultimate Guide

These days, pets are often given the same privileges as their human owners 
when it comes to grooming, play dates, pet spa treatments, gourmet meals and 
exercise routines. Since pets are usually considered a part of 
the family, why should things be different when you take the whole crew on a 
vacation? Unfortunately, traveling with a pet can be a bigger hassle than your 
typical trip to the groomer’s, but we’ve compiled this ultimate guide for a 
pet-friendly vacation to make sure everyone has a good time.  

 Traveling by Air 

Air travel is often the most convenient way to get to your destination, but 
if you plan to take Fluffy on board, you need to be aware of the extra 
procedures and dangers headed your way.

1. Tips 
   for Safe Pet Air Travel: Visit the Human Society’s website for tips 
   on keeping your pet comfortable and safe during a planet trip.


2. Stow your pet under the seat in front of you: If your dog 
   or cat is small enough to comfortably fit in a carrier the size of most carry-on 
   items, you may be able to keep your pet under the seat in front of you for the 
   entire plane trip. That way, your furry friend won’t be subjected to riding 
   alone in the back with everyone’s heavy suitcases.


3. Put identification information everywhere: First, make sure 
   your pet’s ID tags are securely attached to his or her collar. Go ahead and clip 
   another ID tag or luggage tag onto the carrier door, and consider writing your 
   contact information directly on the animal’s carrier to avoid mistakes and 
   theft.


4. Research companies that specialize in transporting pets: 
   Companies like Pet Air specialize in 
   transporting pets, taking care of everything from booking flights to selling 
   kennels and carriers.


5. TakeYourPet.com 
   Travel Tips: This guide from TakeYourPet.com suggests trimming your 
   animal’s nails to minimize the injury it can cause to itself, you and other 
   animals or people.


6. Pack a toy or favorite comfort item in your pet’s carrier: 
   To make the trip more comfortable for your pet, pack a familiar toy or blanket 
   inside your pet’s carrier to ease their anxiety. Rawhides aren’t always a good 
   idea, though, as they can cause upset stomachs.


7. Bring a photo of your pet: In case you have trouble finding 
   your pet after landing, have a recent photo ready to show airport security and 
   baggage claim attendants to prove you’re the owner and help locate your 
   pet.


8. Pack pet meds in accordance with TSA 
   carry-on regulations: Make sure you pack your pet’s medications in a 
   TSA-approved system, which requires that liquids and gels 3 oz. or less be 
   packed in a quart-sized plastic zip-top bag. If you have to dump out your pet’s 
   medicine or take a later flight to have time to stick it in your check bags, you 
   could be in for a disaster.


9. Pack a small bowl for water: Dogs and cats can get 
   dehydrated easily, so bring a small bowl or collapsible container so that your 
   pet has water as soon as you land or retrieve it from the baggage claim.


10. Be familiar with airline travel restrictions and 
    guidelines: Before booking a flight for your pet, make sure you are 
    prepared to deal with all travel restrictions set forth by the airline. Many 
    airlines like Delta require pets to be at 
    least 8 weeks old, restrict the destinations where pets can fly to, and charge a 
    fee for in-cabin carriers.


11. Pet Air 
    Travel: Ask-the-Vet.com publishes this guide to taking pets on an 
    airplane, including a list of pet regulations for several major 
    airlines.

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Traveling by Car 

  
 



 Traveling by car can be easier on your pet than booking a flight, but check out this list to make sure you’re well-prepared for the trip.

1. ASPCA 
   Car Travel Tips: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty 
   to Animals (ASPCA) posts this list of car travel tips to make sure your pet 
   travels safely and comfortably.


2. Bring a water dish and a bottle of water: Just in case the 
   rest stop where you plan to take a break doesn’t have fresh water or a dish to 
   put it in, pack a bowl and a water bottle to rehydrate your pet during the 
   trip.


3. Try not to leave your pet alone in the car: If you’re 
   traveling by yourself, this tip may be hard to abide by, but limiting your rest 
   time to bathroom and stretch breaks is safest for your pet. If you can, park 
   your car near the window of the place where you stop so that you can keep an eye 
   on your pet. Always roll down the windows a bit to keep fresh air going in and 
   out of your vehicle.


4. Don’t give a big meal before the trip: Stick to your pet’s 
   regular feeding schedule as much as possible, but decrease meal portions before 
   you get in the car; otherwise, you may have a big mess to clean up in the 
   backseat.


5. AVMA.org: 
   Travel By Car: The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) 
   recommends not letting your animals ride with their heads out the window, no 
   matter how much fun it seems. Besides risking injury, animals can also get bugs, 
   dirt, and other irritants in their eyes, ears or noses.


6. Keep your pet comfortably secure: Keeping your pet in a 
   carrier is the best and safest way to travel in a car. Your pet will be less 
   likely to be injured if you have to slam on the breaks or get into a fender 
   bender, and you won’t have to worry about your pet jumping into your lap while 
   you barrel down the highway.


7. How 
   to Choose the Best Travel Pet Carrier for Your Pet: Whether you 
   have a large dog or a small kitty cat, make sure you know how to select the most 
   appropriate carrier for your pet. This guide will help you out.


8. Pack a clean-up kit: Just in case your pet gets car sick, 
   go ahead and pack up a simple clean-up kit with a pet cleaner suitable for 
   fabric, carpet or leather. Also bring along paper towels and a small garbage 
   bag.


9. Plan stops ahead of time: Even if you’re familiar with the 
   route you plan to take, plan out your breaks ahead of time. You’ll feel more 
   comfortable stopping at places you know are well-lit, have plenty of grass for 
   your pet’s bathroom breaks and are far enough from the highway for a quick 
   run.

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International Travel 

For international moves and extended vacations, pet owners need to be 
prepared for customs regulations, vaccination reports and other complicated 
procedures. Use this list to make sense of it all.

1. Pet Passport, 
   Immigration and Quarantine Info.: PetTravel.com publishes links and 
   resources for international pet travel. Find immigration rules and regulations 
   for over 100 countries, including Argentina, South Africa, the Bahamas and 
   France.


2. Official USDA 
   Certification: PetTravel.com reports that "all EU Countries as well 
   as many other countries now require that a veterinarian certificate issued in 
   the United States have an official USDA Certification stamp." Follow this link 
   to find out more information about how you can secure one for your pet.


3. International Animal Export 
   Regulations: The USDA page for exporting animals and animal 
   products from the United States is full of helpful information.


4. Globetrotting 
   Pets: The website for the book Globetrotting Pets: An International 
   Travel Guide has sample information and tips for traveling to different 
   countries with your pets, from tourism contact information to a helpful travel 
   check-list for your pet.


5. Pets on the 
   Go! International Resources: This website has import/export 
   information for the U.S., Hawaii, Guam, Great Britain and Mexico, as well as an 
   international pet-friendly hotel search, air travel tips and more.


6. Pet 
   Relocation — Tips for International Pet Moving: This post serves as 
   an excellent guide and check-list for moving a pet abroad. You’ll find 
   information about finding and packing a suitable crate, things to remember on 
   the day of your trip, and plenty of other questions you should be prepared to 
   ask airlines, customs and other offices.

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Staying in a Hotel 

1. Keep a list of pet-friendly hotels with you: Before your trip, make sure you have a list of pet-friendly hotels in the area you plan on traveling through. Even if you have a reservation, it’s best to have one or two alternative options just in case you have a layover, car trouble or other problems before you get to your final destination.


2. Hotel-Guides.us 
   Pet-friendly Hotels and Motels: Use this guide to see whether or 
   not hotels are dog- and cat-friendly. The site also also has tips for bringing 
   along your pets to a hotel.


3. Stay in a ground-floor room: MSNBC recommends 
   staying in a ground-floor room, "preferably one that opens to the outside. That 
   way you can take your pet in and out without going through a lobby and you will 
   disturb as few people as possible."


4. Put up the "Do Not Disturb" sign: When you leave your pet 
   in your room by itself, put up the "Do Not Disturb" sign so that the cleaning 
   staff won’t get surprised by your pets…or vice versa. You’ll save yourself from 
   complaints, extra messes and even worse, potential lawsuits if your pet 
   frightens or injures a member of the hotel staff.


5. Pet-Friendly 
   Hotels: Forbes reviews posh pet-friendly hotels around the U.S. in 
   this article.

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Advice from the Pros 

The Dog Whisperer and other professional animal handlers have loads of tips 
and advice for pet owners just itching to take their pets on vacation.

1. Cesar’s Travel Tips: The Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan dedicates this web page to giving pet owners travel tips like "bring your dog’s blankie," "use a soothing scent," and "claim your new space."


2. Traveling 
   With Your Pet: The AVMA has lots of travel safety tips for pets, 
   including those needed for camping trips and vacations that require bus and 
   train travel.


3. Ten 
   Most Common Poisonous Plants: If you’re taking your pet into 
   unfamiliar territory, print out the Animal Poison Control Center’s list of the 
   ten most common poisonous plants to avoid disaster.


4. Pet 
   Moving Tips: The online Residency Guide offers lots of relocation 
   tips for when you have to move with a pet. Find tips for dogs, cats, fish, birds 
   and other pets.


5. Traveling 
   With Your Furry Friends: "America’s Most Trusted Pet Expert" Warren 
   Eckstein has lots of pet travel tips that include people preparation, pet 
   preparation, and a checklist of items to pack for your pet.


6. If Your 
   Dog Has Ticks: Trips to the beach, the mountains, or even to 
   certain locations increases your dog’s chances of getting ticks. If you spot one 
   of these nasty parasites, check out this guide for information on what to 
   do.


7. How 
   to Travel with a Dog: Check out Expert Village for a series of 
   videos that teach dog owners the dos and don’ts of traveling with their pet. You 
   will get to know more about dog costume and dog 
   t-shirt here.


8. Cesar’s 
   Beach Tips: If you can’t wait to take your pooch to the beach, read 
   Cesar Millan’s tips on planning a safe, rational, pet-friendly beach 
   vacation.


9. Protect Your Pet: 
   Summer Safety Tips: MSNBC interviews pet expert Andrea Arden for 
   tips on taking care of your pets during the summer months and in warm-weather 
   climates. Read about sun protection, keeping your pets safe around water and 
   avoiding parasites.


10. Travelers Digest: 
    Information for People Traveling With Pets: These travel pros have 
    put together a long list of resources for pet owners planning a 
    vacation.

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General Tips and Precautions 

Check out this list for more tips and resources that will make traveling with 
your pet more enjoyable.

1. Get your pet used to traveling: If you plan to take your 
   pet for a long ride in the car, get him accustomed to the trip by bringing him 
   on short errands around town first. If your pet will be sitting in a carrier 
   during a flight, have him or her sit in the crate for a similar amount of time 
   at various intervals before your vacation.


2. Make a new ID tag with travel contact information: If 
   someone finds your lost pet while you’re in vacation in Florida, calling your 
   home phone number in Wisconsin isn’t going to do any good. Make a new ID tag at 
   your vet or animal supplies 
   store that has your cell phone number or hotel contact information.


3. How 
   to Pack a Puppy Travel Bag: Watch this video from Expert Village to 
   make sure you’re prepared to look after your puppy on a trip.


4. How to Travel 
   Train Your Cat: This simple guide contains good tips for getting 
   your cat used to travel, including putting it on a cat leash and taking practice 
   car trips in a carrier.


5. Most 
   Effective Ways to Calm Anxious Cats: Veterinarians and pet experts 
   Foster and Smith review anti-anxiety products for cats on this site.


6. Top 
   10 Dog-Friendly Cities to Visit in North America: From Chicago to 
   Vancouver to Salt Lake City, find out which North American cities are the most 
   welcoming to visiting dogs.


7. Traveling 
   With Your Toy Dog Breed: Planning a Pet-Friendly Vacation: 
   Traveling with a pint-sized pup might seem super easy. You can take them 
   everywhere, they make small messes and are generally easy to groom. This guide, 
   however, has tips for dealing with some of the unique travel dangers and 
   annoyances that toy dog breeds face.


8. Car 
   Sickness and Fear of Riding in Cars: If your cat is scared of 
   riding in a car but you need to take it on a car trip, try these tips to gently 
   walk your pet through the process.

Health Concerns 

Make sure your pet has as much fun as you do on vacation by putting its 
health and well-being first.

1. Get a pre-vacation check-up: If you’re going away for a 
   long trip, or if your pet is chronically ill, take it to the vet for a 
   pre-vacation check-up. Your vet will tell you if it’s safe to take along the pet 
   and can give you some pointers for caring for your animal during the trip.


2. Make a file for all your pet’s health records: Keep a file 
   with all of your pet’s medical records handy in the car, in your carry-on bag 
   and everywhere else you plan on taking your pet during the vacation. You never 
   know when local authorities might demand to see up-to-date rabies vaccinations, 
   and most of the time, dog tags won’t cut it.


3. Bring a list of emergency phone numbers: In case your pet 
   needs immediate medical attention when you’re away from home, research the area 
   you’ll be staying in to find contact information and hours of operation for 
   local vets.


4. CDC Importation of 
   Pets, Other Animals, and Animal Products into the United States: 
   The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires certain health 
   information from pets returning from trips abroad. Use this list of resources as 
   a check-list before you even leave the U.S.


5. Animal 
   Diseases: The USDA Animal and Health Inspection Service website 
   gives descriptions of many different animal diseases that could affect your pet 
   on vacation.

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Traveling with Exotic Pets 

Dogs and cats aren’t the only ones who get to travel nowadays. Read below for 
tips on bringing along your more exotic animals.

1. Travel with 
   Exotic Pets: PetFriendlyTravel.com publishes information for exotic 
   pet owners who need official paperwork allowing them to travel abroad.


2. Can 
   a Rabbit Tolerate a Long Drive in the Car?: Read About.com’s 
   in-depth analysis of taking a pet rabbit on a long car trip.


3. Pet 
   Bird Travel Tips: The Bird Channel website has several great tips 
   for traveling safely with your pet bird, including choosing the right carrier, 
   how to set up a "home away from home" and more.


4. Travel 
   with Horses: The website HorsesWorldWide.com lists horse-friendly 
   vacations and lodging options in the U.S. and abroad.


5. Double check exotic animal regulations: Healthypet.com recommends checking 
   the customs and animal policies of your vacation destination to make sure your 
   exotic pet is allowed inside the borders. If it’s not, you’ll have to leave your 
   pet at home or cancel the vacation.

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