Traveling With Your Dog or Cat in the Car

Traveling with your dog or cat in the car can be difficult in your don’t prepare ahead of time. Here are a few tips to make traveling with your dog or cat in the car easier.

If your pet is not accustomed to the car, take it for a few short rides before the trip. This can help keep your pet from becoming nervous or agitated, and may lessen the effects of motion sickness. If, after a number of practice trips, your pet continues to cry excessively or becomes sick, consult your veterinarian.

Buckling up is an important safety precaution for your pet. Many states now require that pets be restrained while in a moving vehicle, and restraints have several advantages. They help protect pets in case of a collision, and they keep pets from running loose and distracting the driver. They also keep pets from escaping the car through an open window or door. Cats and smaller dogs are often most comfortable in pet carriers, which can be purchased in various sizes at most pet stores.

Carriers give many animals a sense of security and familiar surroundings, and can be secured to the car seat with a seat belt or a specially designed carrier restraint. There are also pet restraints available that can be used without carriers, including harnesses, seat belt attachments, pet car seats, vehicle barriers, and truck/pickup restraint systems. No matter what kind of restraint you use, be sure that it does not permit your pet’s head to extend outside the car window. If pets ride with their heads outside the car, particles of dirt can penetrate the eyes, ears, and nose, causing injury or infections. Excessive amounts of cold air taken into lungs can also cause illness.

While packing for your trip, remember to throw in a few of your pet’s favorite toys, food and water bowls, a leash, and food. You should also carry a first aid kit for your pet, and know basic pet first aid. If your pet is on medication, be sure to have plenty for the trip — and then some.  Veterinarians cannot write a prescription without a prior doctor/patient relationship. This means that in order to get any drugs, your pet will need to be examined first by a new doctor. This may be inconvenient if you need medication right away. Also, if your pet is on a special therapeutic diet, bring along an extra supply in case you can’t find the food in a strange area.

Stick to your regular feeding routine while traveling, and give your pet its main meal at the end of the day or when you’ve reached your destination. It will be more convenient to feed dry food if your pet is used to it. Dispose of unused canned food unless it can be refrigerated. Take along a plastic jug of cold water to avoid possible stomach upset the first day, as new areas can have minerals or bacteria in their water supply that pets need time to adjust to. Give your pet small portions of both food and water and plan to stop every two hours for exercise.

Consider having your pet examined before you leave as well, to check for any developing problems.  Have your current veterinarian’s phone number handy in case of an emergency. Also, be sure to travel with a copy of your pet’s medical records, especially if the animal has a difficult medical history.

Find hotels, motels, and campsites that accept animals and book them ahead of time. Click here to view hotels that accept animals.

To avoid losing your pet during a trip, make sure your pet is wearing an i.d. tag. To be doubly protected, consider having your pet tattooed or having a microchip implanted. Keep in mind the more methods of identification, the better chance that the owner will be found. Microchip databases are specific to the United States and Canada, so register your pet in both countries if you will be driving from one to the other. You can also register the name and phone number of a relative who can identify the pet in case the owner can’t be reached while traveling.

It’s important to carry health and rabies vaccine certificates, particularly if you will be crossing the border into Canada, the US, or Mexico. All three countries allow dogs and cats to enter if they meet stringent entry requirements. Depending on the country, exotic pets may be allowed to enter, though they may need further documentation. Call the Agriculture Department or embassy of the country or state to which you are traveling for information on the vaccinations, documentation, fees, or quarantine that may be required to bring your pet into the country.

Most importantly, try to plan ahead for unusual or emergency situations. What you don’t need in the middle of a trip is one more thing to worry about. People get into a panic if they don’t have enough medication for their pet, no appropriate documentation for travel to other countries, or money to pay for border fees. Be prepared by bringing a copy of your pet’s medical records, proper documentation and medication and knowing the laws going into the new city or country. Preparation is the most effective way to help ensure a smooth, enjoyable trip for you and your pet.

Traveling With Your Pet

Traveling with your pet usually involves more than putting the animal in a car and/or plane, especially if you’re moving or traveling far away. Before you start traveling with your pet, here are a list of things to do before the trip.

First, make sure you locate a local veterinarian or pet hospital that is close to where you are staying.  This way, you will be well prepared in advance in case anything happens.  Email the veterinarian for pictures, a price list (if possible), check reviews online and do your research.  Drop by the vet’s office when you arrive and make sure that it meets your expectations in the areas of cleanliness, caring and well-trained staff, reasonable fees, and convenient hours.

Next, make sure you always have your current veterinarian’s phone number handy in case of an emergency or if the temporary veterinarian needs more information about your pet.

If your pet has any medical problems, make sure they are examined before the trip.   Some countries require a full exam and health certificate, and the United States and Canada require a valid rabies certificate.  Make sure you discuss this with your veterinarian.  It is always a good idea to travel with a copy of your pet’s medical records, especially if the animal has a difficult medical history.

If your pet is on medication, be sure to have plenty for the trip and then some.  Veterinarians cannot write a prescription without a prior doctor/patient relationship.  This means that in order to get any drugs, your pet will need to be examined first by its new doctor.  This may be inconvenient if you need medication right away.  You may want to ask your current veterinarian for a prescription before you travel.

If your pet is on a special therapeutic diet, purchase an extra supply in case you can’t find the food right away in your new area.

Carry a first aid kit for your pet. While first aid is no substitute for veterinary care, knowing basic first aid could save your pet’s life.

Do your research and make sure the hotels you are staying at accept animals.  Click here to view hotels that accept animals.

Thinking of using a boarding kennel? Get recommendations from your veterinarian and make sure your pet’s vaccines are up-to-date.

If traveling by plane, call the airline in advance to check out regulations and services and to make reservations. Some airlines will allow pets in the cabin, but you will need to purchase a special airline crate that fits under the seat in front of you.

Learn more about your new area. Your veterinarian can tell you if there are any diseases like heartworm or Lyme disease and vaccinations or medications your pet may require. Also, be aware of any unique laws. Some places have restrictions on exotic animals (ferrets are not allowed in some cities),and there are restrictive breed laws in others, such as no pit bulls allowed. Your pet could be affected by these laws, so call ahead to the city or travel information bureau for more information.

If you’re traveling between countries, it’s important to carry a rabies vaccine certificate. Expect your pet to be quarantined in certain locations. Hawaii has a 120-day quarantine period, and the United Kingdom has a six-month quarantine period. Call the Agriculture Department or embassy of the country or state to where you are traveling for information on special documents, quarantine, and additional costs to bring the animal into the country.

Canada has an automatic veterinary inspection for $35 at the border for pets entering from countries other than the United States. New Zealand has mandatory microchip implanting and a $10 scan fee at the border. Make sure you have the right kind of currency and enough of it to pay any fees or your pet will be boarded.

To avoid losing your pet during a move, make sure your pet is wearing an ID tag. To be doubly protected, consider having your pet tattooed or having a microchip implanted. The more methods of identification,the better chance that the owner will be found. Microchip databases are specific to the United States and Canada, so register your pet in both if moving between these countries. You should also register the name and phone number of a relative who can identify the pet in case the owner can’t be reached while traveling.

Overall, make sure you have enough medication for your pet, appropriate documentation for travel to other countries,or money to pay for border fees. Be prepared by bringing a copy of your pet’s medical records, proper documentation and medication, and know the laws before going into the new city or country.