Simple Tips for Traveling Well With Your Pet
It’s tough to leave your pets behind when you plan to leave home. So, why not take them with you?
If you do plan to travel with your pet, we recommend considering the following tips to ensure you and your pet have a fun and safe time away.
5 Tips for Traveling With Your Pet
1. Research Rules, Regulations, and Pet Travel Requirements
In addition to states and countries having local laws regarding importing and exporting pets (i.e. traveling with pets across borders), airlines, trains, and buses also have their own rules and regulations regarding pet travel.
Research your mode of transportation and destination to determine what your pet might need to travel freely. This might include a health certificate, fecal testing, and/or vaccination records.
2. Update Identification
Pets can become easily disoriented and lost in new places. Make sure your pet’s ID tags are current. If your pet doesn’t already have one, we strongly recommend getting a microchip before you leave.
3. Pack More Than You Need
Always pack more food, water, and pet meds than you actually need for your journey. Additionally, be sure to bring an extra leash and harness in case one breaks on the road.
4. Plan for Breaks
If you’ll be driving, schedule enough time to make plenty of pit stops for you and your pet to get outside, stretch, and have a potty break.
5. Research Emergency Veterinarians
When traveling with a pet, you should always have a plan in place in case of an emergency. Before you leave, make note of emergency veterinary hospitals along your route and at your destination.
Get a Travel Health Certificate for Your Pet From Home
Whether you’re crossing state lines, leaving the country, or using an airline for your next trip, your pet will likely need a certified clean bill of health before you depart.
To make sure your pet’s ready to go and fully protected from the diseases and parasites that live in the climate you’ll be visiting, we encourage you to schedule a pre-travel appointment for your pet with Capital Home Veterinary Care.
We can talk with you about the steps you need to take to get your pet a health certificate, recommend regional vaccinations and parasite preventatives, and even talk with you about microchipping your pet. To learn more, contact us today!