5 Things You Need to Know About Traveling With Your Pet

If you’ll be enjoying a getaway this summer, make sure to include everyone’s favorite family member…your pet! As overwhelming as traveling with a cat or dog may seem, it’s totally doable if you take a few simple steps to prepare. Jeff Weber, D.V.M., renowned veterinarian and pet parenting specialist, lists five things every family should know about traveling with their furry friend.

1. The more comfortable your pet is with being transported, the easier the trip will be. If you’ll be taking a road trip, acclimate him to car rides through brief practice runs. Once the drive is complete, give praise and a treat. Increase the time gradually so he becomes accustomed to being on the road. Use this same approach to get your pet used to a carrier or crate, putting him inside for ever-longer intervals and giving rewards.

 2. You need to make a thorough packing list. You’ll want to take along the essentials, of course, such as a leash, food bowl, any medications your pet needs, and a favorite toy. But don’t forget important documents as well such as your pet’s medical records and emergency information. Double-check that your pet's collar-tag has your contact information in case you get separated, and that you have a photo of her on hand. Consider packing medications or supplements to help your pet with car or motion sickness; consult your veterinarian first, though. If you’re traveling with a cat take along a traveling litter box, and since dogs have sensitive GI tracts, fill a gallon jug with your local water. (At every stop, you’ll fill the jug back to the top so that new water is gradually introduced, always mixing with your local water supply.)

3. Always keep pets restrained in a car —either with a harness attached to a seat belt, or a pet carrier anchored in a seat belt. Pets running freely in a car distract the driver. Cats should be contained in a seatbelt-secured pet crate. Try to plan stops around feeding times (and, for dogs, for bathroom breaks). When stopping, make sure to connect the leash to your pet’s collar before opening car door–pets have a tendency to bolt when in strange locations. Never leave your pet in a parked car. A parked car with a panting, nervous dog inside can get very hot, very quickly.