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Tips for Traveling with Pets.
Pets are more then just companions - they are so much a part of our extended families, it's natural that we want to take them along when we travel. The safety and well being of our pets are an important consideration when travel arises. The following tips and checklists are some guidelines that I suggest.
Traveling with an animal can be stressful, traumatic and very unpleasant for both you and your pet; however, with a few simple considerations the time traveling together can be rewarding and enjoyable. For those without "people" travel companions, pets are great ice breakers for those traveling alone.
The decision to take your pet with you should be made well in advance of your trip. First time pet travelers will have extra work ahead of them - start out by caging or crating your pet and taking short drives, increasing the distances and durations. How well your pet responds to these "short trips" will be a good indication on how good a traveler they'll make. However, car travel is not the same as being air cargo which can be pretty stressful. Some animals are not good travelers and therefore, alternative arrangements should be made such as boarding or reliable pet-sitters. After determining how well your animal travels these are other-
Factors to be considered:
- Mode of transportation and the length of travel time.
- Determine the length of time away from home.
- Health and age of your pet - travel is stressful.
- Temperament and behavior - reaction to strangers and new surroundings.
- Will your pet be a welcomed addition at your destination? Taking the trouble to travel with an animal only to leave them in a hotel room is not a good idea.
Advance preparation is in order whether you travel by car or by air. Consult with your veterinarian on suggestions they may have regarding travel specific to your pet.
Before you go:
- Proper vaccinations and updated health certificates (state and international laws may differ, check ahead).
- Identification collar tags, or micro chip ID should specify current information. Consider ID capsules that can hold in-transit information. Animals can be easily spooked in unfamiliar surroundings. Having current destination information will help in recovering a runaway.
- Fill out our "Pet Care Instruction Sheet" whether you are traveling with your pet or leaving your pet with a sitter or at a boarding kennel. You'll need this information should you have to visit a vet while on the road.
- The American Veterinary Medical Association does not recommend tranquilizing or sedating pets when traveling by air. Check with your vet before dispensing any med's to traveling animals.
The first time I traveled anywhere other then to the vet with my dog (her name was Hildegard, a standard black and tan dachshund) was when we moved from San Francisco to Portland in 1993. Hilde, as she liked to be called, was a trooper - she sat next to me in the navigator seat and snoozed most of the way. I remember having to sneak her into our hotel room for the night as it was below freezing in the mountain pass and staying in the car was not an option for either of us! We were so proud of her - being a first time great traveler was a comfort and joy to both my husband and myself. Upon arriving at our new home she took to it just fine until her first morning constitution, when her belly met the layer of ice on the driveway her legs gave way. The look she gave was of shear loathing as if to say, "I came all this way for this?"
Since that time I've learned a lot more about traveling with pets. We were lucky to have had a dog that traveled so well. Hilde has since passed on after many joyful road trips to the coast - where chasing seagulls became a favorite pastime. Our new traveling companion is "Peapod" (same breed and coloring). Now, we only have to mention "ride" and the tail starts to wag and she heads to the garage. She's truly a Christine Columbus traveling girl, as she too loves to travel.
Tips for traveling by car:
- If your pet is unfamiliar with riding in the car, take a few short trips before to get him accustomed especially if using a seat belt harness or crate. A sudden stop can send your pet flying. Never allow your pet to travel in a seat with an airbag.
- It is safer for you and safer for your pet if he or she is confined to cage or crate while en route or with a safety harness restraint that can be found in pet stores. Many pets will not have a problem adjusting to a harness, you may want to let them wear the harness by itself a few times before using it in the vehicle. Some pet owners prefer vehicle barriers, particularly for larger pets.
- Cats should never be allowed to wander freely inside an automobile. Frightened cats invariably head straight for the foot pedals. Kitty will be much more comfortable in its own carrier with a blanket and toy inside.
- Secured carriers with a seat belt or bungee cords.
- Do not allow pets to hang out windows - it's dangerous and may cause head, neck and eye injuries, as well as airborne infections.
- Make frequent pit stops - every two hours for exercise and potty breaks.
- Keep to food schedules - but limit quantity until your reach your destination. Less food is a better rule. If your pet is prone to carsickness, do not feed within 4 hours of leaving and feed him minimally on the trip. Ice chips are easier to give than water and will keep him busy.
- Carry fresh cold water and a drinking bowl. Local water may upset tummy's and no one wants to travel with a sick animal.
- Keep your leash handy and use care when opening doors in heavy traffic areas. Don't allow dogs to run free - as they may run away!
- While it is not advised to leave a pet in a car - if you must for only a few minutes - Provide for your pet when left in a parked car for those few minutes by locking all doors, park in a shaded area, leave two cross-windows partly open (just enough to allow air to circulate). It's best if someone stays with the animal.
- NEVER leave your pet in a parked car even in a shady area on a summer day. Dogs can overheat even on a mild summer day in a matter of minutes with irreversible brain damage.
Tips for traveling by Air or by Train:
- Airlines and trains have very strict guidelines for pets. Check with your carrier's website for specific details.
- Costs vary by Air or Train service providers, generally between $100 to $200.
- Reservations are always required. Travel nonstop and opt for less crowded flights.
- Your health certificates should be dated within 10 days of departure
- Best to travel off-peak hours - in the summer fly early mornings or late evenings and in the winter, midday.
- Schedule layovers with enough time to allow you to step outside the terminal, if possible, and walk your pet.
- Some airlines allow animals weighting 15 pounds or less to ride in a carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. All animals must remain in the carriers during flight. Animals will have to be removed when going through security so be sure to have a leash.
- If the animal is traveling in the cargo hold, be sure to label the crate with a photo of your pet on top of the crate. Write "Live Animal" on the sides and top. Also write "Do not open crate without permission of owner or vet." over the door.
- If you include a familiar toy or blanket be sure it isn't something that can become a choking hazard.
- Do not ship pug-nosed dogs or cats such as Pekingese, Chow Chows, and Persians in the cargo hold. These breeds have short nasal passages that leave them vulnerable to oxygen deprivation and heat stroke in cargo holds.
- NEVER tranquilize.
- Notify the flight crew and captain that your pet is on-board in the cargo hold.
Tips for Hotel Stays:
FYI - Houston, San Antonio and Austin are the top three cities with the most pet-friendly hotels.
- Call in advance to see about pet size limits, other restrictions, and fees and deposits.
- Keep your pet on a leash - not everyone thinks your pet is the cutest ever.
- Ground floor rooms usually have less unfamiliar noises.
- See if the hotel has a list of pet sitters or daycare centers.
- While not advised, if leaving the pet in the room, turn on the TV or radio for background noise. You won't be able to leave if your pet barks or whines when alone.
- Hang the "no not disturb" sign on the door or better yet, a "Caution Pet in Room" sign.
- The pool, bar, and restaurant areas are strictly off limits unless invited.
- Leave the hotel staff an emergency contact number to reach you.
- Pets are not allowed on furniture or in the bed.
- Be courteous to hotel guests about your dog's room behavior, remember the room you rented was used and will again by other pet owners too.
- Report and pay promptly for any pet caused damage.
Pet Packing
Checklist:
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Item |
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Sturdy leash |
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Extra collar |
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Old familiar blanket/bedding |
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Food |
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Water in a Gallon Container |
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Food & Water Bowl Set |
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Portable water bowl and bottle |
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Treats |
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Toys and Chew items |
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All medications & supplements |
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Tweezers |
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Brush or comb |
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Baby wipes or moist towelettes |
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For cats, litter pan, litter,
liner, newspaper |
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Waste removal bags |
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Old towels, disinfectant spray |
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First Aid kit |
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Flashlight for night walks |
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Other Pet Friendly Advice:
- Do not leave your pet alone if weather conditions are extreme.
- Hot asphalt roads and beach sand can burn sensitive paw pads.
- Be aware of your dog's behavior when left alone - barking, whimpering, and whining all cause stress both to the animal and passerby's.
- Be alert to pet-nappers.
- Keep a pet first-aid kit handy - ask your vet for products to include.
- Check your intended destination for any "pet" warnings such as infectious diseases, parasites, ticks other animal prone hazards and be sure have updated vaccines.
- Call ahead and make en route reservations in pet-friendly hotels.
- When taking a pet to the beach be mindful of water dangers and beach debris that could cause injury or that they could ingest.
- Bath pets after water play in rivers, lakes or salt water to remove any residue on their fur. Hotels who cater to pets will usually have bathing stations other then your bathtub.
Little did we know when we moved to Portland, Oregon with Hilde, all those years ago that the Pacific Northwest, specifically Portland and Seattle would repeatedly be voted best Pet-Friendly cities. We love Books, Coffee and our Dogs!
There are numerous resources, books, guides and websites to help you find Pet-Friendly places, start your search with our favorite reference, one of Oregon's own, Barbara Whitaker, who specializes in California and Pacific Northwest Pet-friendly advise, check out her website and books at Have Dog Will Travel.
Pets are loveable companions and wonderful friends; they wish to please and be loved. Much of their behavior will be derived from the clues you give by your behavior. Your calm and reassuring manor will signal that traveling is fun and their good behavior will be rewarded.
Safe travels and enjoy the world, there is always a new sniff around the next corner!
Sign up on our E-mail list list to be notified of other new travel tips. Meanwhile, I hope you'll share your travel tales, experiences, likes and dislikes with us at: travel stories and travel tips.
Please let me know how I can assist you with your travel needs.
Cheers,
Annette
President & Co-founder
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