Pet Travel Tips

Traveling with your pet can be a memorable, pleasurable event that will sustain a pet owner for years to come or it can be a nightmare. The basic difference is in the planning for the trip. If the pet owner takes the time to prepare for the unexpected and anticipate the unusual, both the pet and the pet owner will be rewarded with a treasured experience.

The following tips should help you in your planning and reduce the "unexpected" and "usual" happenings along the way.

MAKE ADVANCE RESERVATIONS, ADVISE THERE IS A PET IN THE PARTY AND GET A WRITTEN CONFIRMATION. Most establishments that allow pets have specific rooms set aside for traveling pets. With a limited number of rooms available, once they are occupied, no additional pets are allowed onthe premises. These rooms usually have easy access to the outside. In addition, hotel staff members need to be aware that there is a pet or pets in the room, as much for the pet's safety as anyone else's. Therefore, it is paramount that you make an advance reservation and notify the establishment that there is a four-legged member in the party. Once you have confirmed an available pet room, get a confirmation (including a pet in the party) in writing. Should the establishment not maintain an available pet room or change pet policy, the written pet confirmation will go a long way toward protecting you and your pet. NEVER for any reason should you sneak a pet into a room. In many states this constitutes defrauding an inkeeper and can lead to serious legal problems for you and dangers for your pet. Remember, just because it doesn't say pets are not allowed, doesn't mean they are.

NEVER LEAVE A PET UNATTENDED IN THE ROOM. Most establishments require guest pets be attended at all times as a condition of the pet's stay. This applies to all pets, even those crated or caged. For the pet's safety and well being, as well as that of staff and other guests, when you leave the room, so does your pet unless arrangements have been made to engage a pet sitter to stay with the pet while your are aware. If you desire a pet sitter or the services of a local kennel, check with the front desk or conceirge. More and more, pet-friendly properties keep lists of those offering such services. Leaving a pet unattended in a room is sufficient cause to evict the guest with no refund of deposit and, in some locations, unattended pets can be turned over to local animal control. Be sure, be safe, take your pet with you or make arrangements for it to be attended while you're out of the room.

CHECK WITH YOUR VETERINARIAN BEFORE UNDERTAKING A TRIP WITH YOUR PET. Even for pets going on a short trip or experienced travelers, the first stop should be the vet. If your pet has a regular veterinarian, tell the vet of your plans and ask for advice, a veterinarian who knows your pet is an invaluable resource as you set about planning a trip that includes your four-legged companion. Be sure all vaccinations, including bordetella (kennel cough) for dogs and feline leukemia for cats, are current and that you have a health certificate that states that fact. Keep your pet's health certificate with you at all times during your travels (some hotels will ask to see a certificate at check-in). Be sure you have a sufficient supply of any medications your pet may require. A hepful medication trick is to take an extra refill of your pet's medication (this works for humans, too) and pack it in a suitcase. Don't unpack the medication at any stops, just keep it available. Should you inadvertently leave or loose the supply you are using, you will have a sufficient supply to see you through until you can retrieve or locate the lost supply or return home to replenish the supply.

If your pet is not an experienced traveler, or even in some cases if they are, discuss the advisability of using a mild tranquilizer or sedative with your veterinarian. Most times this is not necessary, but that is a decision that should be made in consultation with your pet's doctor. If the decision is made to use such medications, you may want to start them a couple of weeks prior to depature, just in case your pet shows an intolerance for the medication(s).

TAKE PET FOOD, DISH AND A FAVORITE TOY FROM HOME. A good way to keep a pet feeling secure during a trip is to bring along familiar pet foot, food and water dish(es), and a favorite toy from home. The trick is keep the pet surrounded by familiar scents, thus keeping it secure. Remember, you will be occupied at least part of the time doing other things and your pet can feel very insecure, especially if this is its first trip. Pets identify aby scent and home scents are most welcome when the rest of the environment is unfamiliar and threatening. Discuss feeding hints with your veterinarian. Your pet's feeding habits will change while traveling. Knowing what to expect will make the trip more pleasurable for all those involved.

BRING WATER FROM HOME. Everyone has heard the old "don't drink the water" isms of traveling for people. Well, the same holds true for pets (only more so). Have you been on a trip and thought the water tasted different from that back home? Most of us have at one time or another. Different areas treat their water in their own way. The use of different chemicals and additives can cause our internal systems to react. Unfortunately, pets also react and are slower to adjust to the differences. Consider either bringing water from home or using bottled water on your trip for your pet. While bottled water can take some adjusting on your pet's part also, you may wish to substitute bottled water for your pet's drinking water at home for a couple of weeks before departing on your trip. This will allow the pet to adjust more quickly.

BRING AN OLD BLANKET OR PET PILLOW ALONG. If your pet sleeps on a favorite blanket, rug or has a pet pillow, bed or wag bag at home, bring it along. Hotels, etc., do not allow pets on bedding and other furnishings. Again, a familiar sleeping accommodation is most reassuring even to an experienced traveling pet. Also along with restricting pets on furnishings, hotels, etc., do not allow pets to be bathed in bathroom sinks, showers or tubs.

BRING DISPOSABLE LITTER PANS AND WASTE REMOVAL BAGS. Hotels, etc., require guests traveling with pets to take responsibility for cleaning up pet waste. Those traveling with kitten(s) or cat(s) must provide litter pans. Those traveling with puppy(ies) or dog(s) must remove pet waste from walks, parking lots and grass areas. Check with your local pet supply houses for disposable litter pans and waste removal bags. It is easier than ever for our feling pets to "go on the road".

NEVER LEAVE YOUR PET UNATTENDED IN A VEHICLE. Whether going across country or just down the street, more pets die due to expsoure to extreme temperatures (both hot and cold) in closed cars, then from any other travel-related cause. In a few minutes while you're running your errand, your car can become and oven or freezer and drain the life from your beloved pet. Cracking a window in heat doesn't provdie protection we humans sometimes think it will. Running the motor for heat in a locked car in winter has its own dangers. Leave your pet home if it cannot accompany you at your destination...it will allow for another trip together on another day.

CRATE OR BELT YOUR PET WHEN TRAVELING BY AUTO. Even if your pet is an experienced traveler, for your pet's safety and yours, it should be restrained during travel. There are a number of devices on the market today to make this easier and more comfortable. Crating is best for cts and some dogs. Those dogs who are more experienced and enjoy the ride, may be restrined with the use of a doggie seat-belt extender which makes use of the vehicle's safety belt and your dog's own harness. If you've never used a doggie seat-belt, be sure to try it on local trips before undertaking a longer trip as it does take some familiarity. Riding on your arm or sitting on your lap provides absolutely no proection for your pet during even a minor accident. Accidents do happen. Don't turn it into a tragedy that could have easily been avoided. Protect your pet.

KEEP YOUR PET INSIDE YOUR VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES WHILE IN MOTION. We all have to want our pets to enjoy themselves. Dogs particularly love to feel the wind through their fur, but few things hold the potential for greater harm. A pet with its head out the window, or worse yet, riding in the pet of a pick-up, risks damage to eyes, ears, nose and possibly their respiratory system through flying debris, bugs and micro-organisms. These can cause damage or infections that are painful for your pet and expensive for you. A dog that is allowed to ride loose in the bed of pick-up is a tragedy waiting to happen (and now outlawed in many states). And please NEVER allow a dog to ride in a truck bed. Even if the dog is restained in the bed, it is extremely dangerous. If there isn't room in the tuck cab, leave the dog at home...it is safer for all concerned.

MAKE FREQUENT STOPS. This not only is a good idea for the four-legged members of the party, but for the two-legged ones as well. Travel fatigue so often associated with automobile travel can be forestalled or completely done away with by frequently stopping and taking a little walk. This, of course, is an absolute necessity if you're traveling companion is a puppy. Allow your dog or cat (on a leash only) to take a 10-15 minute walk minimum at least every 3 hours (more frequently if possible). This may also help forestall any mild carsickness problems associated with long rides and some pets.

NEVER LET YUR PET OUTSIDE WITHOUT BEING ON A LEASH. The most important hint is never let your pet out of the car or the hotel room without putting it on a lead first. Hotels, etc., are required to enforce local leah laws and many will report pets off-lead to the animal control authorities. So don't take the chance no matter how well-behaved your pet. You don't know what might appear on the other side of that car or room door. Be considerate of others, both with and without pets.

BE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND THE PET POLICY. We strive to make the information in each listing here as concise as possible. However, some establishment insist upon using ambiguous terms like "small", "reasonable", etc. Subjective terms, which are open to interpretation, can lead to misunderstandings. What is "small" to one may be "extra large" to someone else; what is "reasonable" to one may be very unreasonable to another. Be sure before you make that reservation with any establishment, you know who THEY interpret the terms in their listings, if they are subject. A "small" pet may be a yorkie or a dalmation, depending on your point of reference. The same can be applied to cats, depending on who determines what is "long" hair. So be sure you have the answer before you arrive and ask that they specify what they mean by these terms on your written (or in this day of electronic communication, emailed) confirmation. Always, get a confirmation.

BE CONSIDERATE OF OTHERS. Remember to be considerate of those coming both before and after you by observing the same courtesies hat we all want when traveling. If your pet is having a "bad night", take it for a walk. Spend some quality time with your pet. When you make the choice to include your fur-friend in your travel plans you take on the added responsibility of considering your pet when makign decisions along the raod. Let your pet know you are there and that this is an adventure the both of you are sharing. It will go a long way toward making your trip enjoyable for everone and memories you will treasure.

LET THEM KNOW WHERE YOU HEARD THEY WERE PET-FRIENDLY. When you make that reservation for accommodations, please let the establishment know you learned about their pet-friendly policy from Pets on the Move. When you do notify them that your basis for information on their policy is from this site, they know you are a serious, responsible pet owner who cared enough to do the necessary research to insure your pet would be welcome.

IF YOUR PET IS FLYING, GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING. For more complete information, check the airline travel information page on this site. When there is a choice, we strongly urge that you NOT ship your pet by air. However, that is not always a choice and circumstances sometimes make it necessary to ship by air. Flying a pet, whether you accompany the pet or not, has unique dangers and tips, addressed in the airline link, please also be sure to refer to the airline crating information for some very specific ideas to help lessen the stress. Be sure you have a contact name at the depature and arrival points. If the pet is not flying in cabine with you and most importantly, get EVERYTHING in writing. It can be done...pets can fly and arrive safely, but it takes special precautions and preparations.

REMEMBER: BE A GOOD GUEST...MAKE THEM SORRY TO SEE YOU GO AND ANXIOUS TO HAVE YOU RETURN...ALL OF YOU!!

If you have a question, please feel free to email us and we may answer you on our Questions & Answers page.