First off, let's make this perfectly clear, you are correct, your pet is the most loveable, fantastic, adorable creature on the planet. Of course you want your pet with you when you leave home for any extended period. What right-minded individual can handle the emotional turmoil of having to see their pet look at them sorrowfully when they leave?

Traveling with your pet can be remarkably trouble-free if you do your homework.

Know Your Pet

Pets are like humans in the sense that they are all different. Some dogs and cats will go directly into a car, plane or small pet carrier and be as content as can be. Some will completely freak out. Knowing how your pet responds to the stresses of traveling will make things much easier.

Planning trips well in advance is always a good idea. You can get your pet used to short, day trips to get them more used to traveling and to gauge how they will react.

Fear of the Car

Pets tend to really enjoy car rides. Trying to imagine it from their point of view, it must be an interesting, surreal experience for them. Some pets, however, fear the car. Many pets will immediately show overt signs of anxiousness when even being placed in a car.

There are no clear signs as to why a pet may have this fear, though some like the theory that the pet has developed a negative association with cars. Maybe when your pet sees a car, their mind immediately thinks of a trip to a vet or dog shelter. Regardless, a proactive response by a pet owner can usually steer your pet into the car with you.

As with many things involving pets, patience is the key. A deliberately paced desensitizing effort will usually get your pet much more comfortable in the car. Some techniques:

Get your pet used to the car by spending time with it around the car. After a few attempts at letting the pet be around a parked car, it will begin to not see it as a threatening area.

• Make your pet view the car as a fun area. This can be done with the use of treats. If there is one thing that pets will respond to, it’s food. Once they begin to associate the car as a place treats may emerge, the battle is almost won.
• Do not force your pet into a car as it will just reinforce your pet’s fears. Leaving a treat or your pet’s favorite toy in the car with the door open will eventually persuade your pet to give it a look inside.
• When your dog is comfortable exploring the car, take steps to get it ready for a ride. Again, patience is necessary. It may take several tries to get your pet used to being in the car with the doors closed, but from their, you can try starting the car and leaving it idle to get your pet used to the engine noise.
• Finally, when your pet is ready for a ride, take it somewhere fun, like a park. Pets can and will adapt, and after your hard work, you’ll find your pet excited about car rides.

Research Where to Go and Stay

Never before have hotels, motels and other types of lodgings been more pet-friendly. Check with lodgings in the areas you plan to stay to find out their policies on pets. You’ll likely be surprised with the eagerness many will accept pets. Below you will find Web sites that specialize in finding dog-friendly places to stay.

Also, remember that many places, such as national parks, will have their own rules regarding pets. Make sure to check ahead of time or you and your pet may be in for a disappointment.

Keep Your Pet Comfortable

On long rides, about three hours is as long as you should go without allowing your dog out of the car to stretch and use the restroom. Keep plastic bags on hand (figuratively and literally) to clean up any “messes” your pet may make. Also, always keep water available for your pet. You may notice some dogs that love being in a car will still pant uncontrollably while the car is in motion. Make sure to keep them hydrated.

Keeping familiar items in the car for your pet such as a food bowl, favorite toy, etc., will also help your pet to enjoy the ride. Also, keep in mind that cats often have a harder time dealing with new places and situations than dogs. Often, just being with its’ “pack” or family is enough to keep a dog happy. As cat owners know, however, cats can be a bit more complex, so some extra work in making your feline friend comfortable may be in order.

Finally, always make sure your pet has plenty of ventilation and never leave your pet inside the car with the windows rolled up, regardless of temperature, though if you leave your animal in an unventilated automobile in hot weather, you are taking a serious risk with your pet’s health.

Traveling By Air

Yes, you can take your pet on an airplane. Almost all major airlines will allow small dogs (20-25 pounds) on board as “carry-on” luggage. Check with the airline you will travel with to find out its policies on the types of carry-on “kennels” it will accept. Most will have size restrictions, but try to get a kennel that your pet can at least stand up and turn around in. Getting your pet used to the kennel will possibly entail more desensitizing of it.

When in the air, make sure to give your pet as much attention as you can. While most airlines will have rules against allowing your pet out of the kennel during the flight, some soothing words are often enough to keep your pet calm.

The bigger problem is when your pet is too large to go in the cabin. This obviously is more for dogs, unless the cat you own happens to be a mountain lion. But that’s a whole other issue. Once a dog gets too large, its only option for air travel will be in the cargo section.

Now, the best bet is to just not do it. Traveling in a cargo section can be traumatic for your pet. Of course, sometimes it is necessary if you are moving to a new location or will be away from home for a long time. For this, a larger kennel is necessary. Check with the airline prior to find out what dimensions the kennel can be. Some other tips:

• Many people will think that sedating their pet through a traumatic flight is a good route. Don’t do it. The combination of high altitudes and sedatives can kill your pet. As there is no way of knowing how your pet will respond to this combination, it is best avoided entirely.
• Make sure your pet is well identified, with your home address and phone numbers available on the kennel and on your pets collar.
• Make sure your pet has access to food and water. There are several types of food water containers available for large kennels.
• Don’t expect the airline personnel to take care of your pet. It is your responsibility. Don’t be afraid to harangue airline personnel with questions about your pet’s safety on board. It may come off as irritating to them, but it could give them a little push to help your pet’s comfort.
• Take your pet for a walk immediately before and after leaving the airport.
• Be patient after the flight. There is a good chance you will have a large, terrified pet on your hands after retrieving them from the cargo hold. Pets are resilient, however. Some love and affection and things should be back to normal in a few days.

As with everything regarding dog travel, checking out policies beforehand is key. Most airlines will request that you make a reservation for your pet. Also, be prepared to pay fees for your pets trip, whether it is onboard or in cargo.

This and That

• Treats. We cannot stress this enough. Whenever taking your pet on any type of trip, bring treats.
• Make sure to research any types of licenses, tests or vaccinations your pet may need. This will always come into play when traveling internationally.
• Have a great trip!

External Links:

• Pets Welcome - A great place to locate pet-friendly lodgings and other info about traveling with your pet.
• Pet Friendly Travel - Like a search engine to find pet-friendly places to stay.
• Pet Travel - A huge site with any type of pet-travel information you are after.
• Pets Hub - A great place to find people who love their pets as much as you do!