6 Vet-Approved Tips for Traveling With Pets
We all know that traveling with pets is a pain in the rear. They’re not as easy to transport as they used to be, and traveling with them can make even the most well-planned trips into a nightmare.
But you can still have fun with your pet on vacation! There are many ways to ensure your trip goes off without a hitch—or at least without any significant problems. Here are six vet-approved tips for traveling with pets your furry friend.
Choosing a Pet-Friendly Place to Stay
Before you book a place to stay, make sure you check the hotel’s pet policy. Some hotels may charge an extra cleaning fee for pets or even forbid them from staying in certain rooms. If this is the case for your hotel of choice, try finding another place that does allow animals.
Once you’ve found a place that allows pets and doesn’t have surprising fees, like a cleaning fee, it’s time to think about what type of pet-friendly room is right for your needs. Some hotels have designated rooms or floors where pets are allowed. In contrast, others will only allow animals on particular floors if they’re confined to their owners’ room or if there are multiple doors between the common area and where people eat.
If there aren’t any pet-friendly rooms available, ask if they’ll consider adding one or two as demand grows over time—the more people who want to bring their dogs along during their travels, the better!
When choosing which room would be best suited for your furry friend(s), consider how much space they will need before making any reservations. Do not select a room that’s too small just because it has an “extra bed”!
Also, remember whether your dog can navigate stairs easily; some old buildings may have narrow staircases leading up from street level so make sure his paws will fit comfortably on each step before booking. Traveling With Pets
Getting Your Pet Ready for the Trip
Before heading out for your next trip, ensuring that your pet is comfortable and safe is crucial. That means packing up the right gear.
Check the carrier for size and safety. Your pet needs a carrier sturdy enough to keep them safe on the road and comfortable during long flights. The ASPCA recommends choosing a carrier made of metal or hard plastic rather than fabric, as those tend to be sturdier and better equipped to withstand pressure from an animal inside. Make sure the door latches securely so that your dog can’t escape! Traveling With Pets
Also, do not forget to bring along your cat’s favorite toy. Every pet likes something familiar when traveling, so be sure to pack along an appropriate toy or blanket before hitting the road.
For example, if you have a cat who loves climbing around or even just sitting on the kitchen table while you cook dinner during weeknights, bring along one of those little cardboard boxes with holes cut into them as an easy way for him (or her) get his fix while waiting at baggage claim!
Packing a First Aid Box for Your Pet
If you’re taking a road trip with your pet, you must pack a first aid box for emergencies. The supplies in this kit should handle most minor issues, but if your cat has an accident, they’ll come in handy. Here are some of our top picks:
- A tube of triple antibiotic ointment or Bactroban cream and gauze pads
- Small scissors and tweezers
- Hydrogen peroxide (3 percent) and cotton balls or swabs
- Antifungal cream like Tinactin (it’s not just for people!)
- Betadine solution or chlorhexidine solution if you have ear mites—and tweezers for removing debris from the ears
It is also essential to pack antibiotic medicines. The reason is there’s a good chance of your pet catching some bacterial infection while traveling, either by contacting an already infected animal or roaming in the wild.
Hence, keeping some antibiotics in the first aid box is vital. An effective antibiotic that you can rely on for your pet is Cephalexin. Using Cephalexin for dogs and cats can help remove bacteria from an infected site for quick healing and treatment. This drug helps you eliminate the infectious bacteria from your pet’s body, preventing severe conditions like joint issues, staph problems, soft tissue concerns, etc.
While you can rely on antibiotics, you also need to consult with a vet as soon as you get an opportunity to do so.
Planning for Travel Stress and Emergencies
If you and your pet are traveling by air, it’s a good idea to have a plan in place for. What will happen if the airline has to take your pet off the plane. If the airline doesn’t allow pets on the flight, they may send them back home with someone else or dispatch them to another airport so they can continue their journey with another airline. For all other types of travel, make sure you know where your dog will be taken if he needs medical attention while traveling.
It’s also important not to overburden yourself with unnecessary stress as you plan for emergencies during travel. So don’t worry if there are still some things about this process that aren’t entirely clear yet! After all, there aren’t many things in life that can cause more distress than knowing one of your beloved family members is hurt or feeling sick somewhere far away from home. Remember: The more prepared you are ahead of time and throughout each step along the way, the better things will go when an unexpected problem arises.
Keeping Your Pet Secure in the Car
A pet harness can be used with a crate or seat belt, a great way to keep your dog secure while traveling. Dogs are fragile creatures and shouldn’t be left loose in the car—even when they’re being good! If they get too excited while you’re driving and jump around, they may hit their heads on something. Or hurt themselves elsewhere on their bodies.
Using a harness will help prevent this because it keeps the animal’s head out of harm’s way if it gets into an accident or off-leash. In addition, many experts agree that dogs should always wear some kind of restraint when traveling by car. Because even if you don’t mean for your pup to jump around, cars are loud vehicles; this means that any sudden noises might startle your furry friend into trying desperately. Not only escape but also pulling against their restraints which could lead back injuries.
This is especially true if said dog has never been in such an environment. Before where he realizes how uncomfortable being enclosed within four walls makes him feel!
Consider Renting an RV or a Houseboat
RVs are a great way to travel with pets. Pets love the space and freedom of RVs, and they’re easy to clean and keep. RV parks also tend to be pet-friendly, so you can take your dog with you when going on a hike or exploring the town.
Plus, driving an RV is easy: they don’t require much skill like driving. Other vehicles might, especially if they are automatic. They’re also easier than cars because they have wide enough wheelbases to park easily in tight spots.
Conclusion
We hope you’re ready for your next pet-friendly adventure! Remember many things to consider before taking your pet on vacation. So do your research and ask around at vet offices or shelters. Don’t forget about the importance of keeping yourself safe while driving with pets in tow. And finally: be prepared for anything! We wish you the best of luck in planning your next trip with furry friends by your side. Traveling With Pets
