Traveling with Pets: A Guide to Stress-Free Vacations with Your Furry Family Members
Vacation season is in full swing, and if you’re planning a trip that includes your pet, we’ve got you covered with essential pet travel tips from our team at Adobe Animal Hospital & Laser Surgery Center.
The First Stop on Your Journey: A Vet Visit
Has it been a while since your pet’s last checkup? If so, contact us for a wellness and preventive care visit. Whether you’re flying with pets, taking a road trip with pets, or staying in a hotel with pets, it’s important to make sure your pet is properly vaccinated. Depending on your destination, we might recommend additional vaccines. We’ll also make sure your pet is healthy enough for travel and protected against fleas, ticks, or other parasites your pet could encounter in a new environment.
Road Trip with Pets
If you’re planning a summer road trip with pets, it’s important to keep in mind that while some pets love nothing more than cruising down the highway, others experience travel anxiety in pets. Here are some pet travel safety tips for taking a road trip with pets:
- If your pet has never traveled far by car, regularly introduce your pet to the car and take frequent short trips before your vacation. Reward your pet with treats for staying calm.
- For the safety of you and your pet while traveling, keep your pet properly restrained using a pet carrier anchored to your back seat or a seat belt restraint/tether made just for pets.
- Map out plenty of pit stops so your pet can take frequent potty and exercise breaks.
- NEVER, ever leave your pet alone in a parked car.
- Have your pet microchipped if you haven’t already.
Flying With Pets
If you are planning to fly the friendly skies with your pet, a critical first step is to contact the airline directly for details about their pet policy. Rules and restrictions vary from airline to airline—and also by destination. Here are important tips for flying with pets:
- If at all possible, you want your pet in the cabin with you.
- Book direct flights if you can.
- Check the airline’s vaccination and documentation policies. Contact us as soon as possible if we can help.
- Ensure that your pet’s carrier meets the airline’s requirements.
- Air travel is dangerous for breeds with short nasal passages, such as bulldogs, pugs, and Persian cats. Your Adobe Animal Hospital veterinarian can help you understand potential pet travel safety risks.
Additional Pet Travel Safety Tips
- Pack medications, proof of vaccines, and safe drinking water in addition to your pet’s food.
- Scout out the location of nearby veterinary hospitals ahead of time in case your pet gets sick or injured while on vacation.
- Pack plenty of extra potty pads and cleaning wipes.
The team at Adobe Animal Hospital wants you and your pets to enjoy the summer travel season! Contact us at (530) 673-4744 for more pet travel tips.