When you start making travel plans you have to think about what is best for others as well as what is best for you. What do you do with your pets when you travel? Each pet is different – cat, dog, bird, fish. When deciding if you should take your pet with you when you travel you need to choose what is safest and most comfortable for your pet. How do you go about keeping your pets safe when traveling?
I have a favorite child. Don’t judge. We all know that everyone has a favorite – even if we don’t admit it. When people ask my kids who is my favorite child all the time (I have 4 kids). Unanimously they say, Mojito – my dog. Mojito is an 8 pound pampered, spoiled pup that brings love and happiness to all of us on a daily basis. So when we start talking about vacations and traveling the first thing I figure out is the plans for the baby – Mojito.
Keeping Your Pets Safe When Traveling
Here are some travel tips for when you decide to take your pet with you on a trip:
Make Your Pet Comfortable
Bring their dishes, toys, blankets, and other personal items from your home to create comfort for your pet. You bring your own pillow/blanket to a hotels, don’t you think that they will want feel safe and comfortable too?
Feeding
Check with your vet about what you can give your pet while traveling. It is very easy for your pet to become sick during travel. Providing time for food to digest lessens the chances of your pet becoming ill. Remember they get dehydrated too! Have water readily available for them at all times.
Pet Friendly Hotel
Book a pet friendly hotel. Leaving your pet in the car overnight is NOT allowed or safe! If you have plans during the day make sure that you can either take your pet or that they can stay alone at the hotel. A lot of pet friendly hotels will not allow pets to be left in the room alone. You might consider looking into a nearby day care facilities. They are usually open early in the morning until late in the evening, so your pet can play all day.
Pet Crate
If you plan on keeping your pet inside a carrier or crate, purchase the crate at least a month before you travel and allow your pet ample time to get comfortable with their new space. Place him or her in the carrier and provide some treats. Lengthen the time your pet is in the crate or carrier until your pet seems at ease in its new space.
Flying
Make sure you find out the requirements for your pet prior to booking your flight. There have been lots of updates the past few months about pets and flying. Know before you go!
Car Travel
It is important to think about your pet’s safety while on the road. If you want them to sit on the seat, look into getting a pet seat belt. It allows your pet to move around, but provides restraint in the case of an accident. If you have an SUV, you can buy a gate that keeps your pet from jumping from the back cargo area to the front.
Don’t let your pets be the last one that you plan for when making vacation plans. If you consider your pet a part of the family they need to be included in the planning of trips. Don’t wait for the last minute to decided where your smallest loves will be staying and playing while you vacation.
How are you going to keep your pets safe when traveling?
