How to Make Traveling With Your Dog a Breeze This Holiday Season
With the holiday season upon us, many of us are juggling travel plans and visits from family members. Moreover, traveling with your dog may not always be so straightforward, especially when flying.
If you’re planning on hitting the road this winter with your furry friend in tow, read on for some handy tips on how to make things easier for you both. Whether you need a dog carrier that will make your pooch feel more at home or some tips on how to fly with your dog, there’s no need to ditch your pooch just because you’ll be traveling this winter!
Ensure Your Dog Is Travel-Ready
The best way to ensure your dog is comfortable while flying is to take them to the vet before flying. Your dog may need to get a rabies vaccination, get blood work done, and get a health certificate. If your furry family member is on any medication, you’ll need to ensure that you have enough for the duration of your trip and, if necessary, find out about the availability of it at your destination.
Travel can also take a toll on your dog’s health, particularly their ears, paws, and joints (especially if they’re elderly). To avoid this, you should take your pup’s health into account when picking out their dog carrier.
Securing Your Dog’s Safety
When preparing for your journey, don’t forget the importance of dog safety. For personalized ID tags for dogs, consider getting one containing your pet’s name and contact information. This intelligent accessory goes a long way towards alerting anyone who might find your dog that they are not a stray but a loved and missed pet. It’s a simple safety measure that can give you peace of mind while traveling.
Flying with Your Dog
Taking your dog on a flight is considerably more involved than hopping in the car for a long drive. The first step to flying with your dog is to book a flight that allows pets. If you are planning on flying with your dog, you should check with the airline as early as possible to see what the requirements are. Book as early as possible so you can pick the specific flight that’s best for you and your dog.
Depending on the size of the dog and the airline, you may be able to have them in the cabin with you or the cargo hold. If they’re in the cabin with you, they’ll need to stay in their dog carrier the entire time. Once you’ve found a suitable flight, book a pet-friendly hotel if you’re not planning on staying with family or friends.
Don’t Forget These Travel Essentials
Regardless of if you’re traveling by air or car, there are some doggy essentials you just can’t leave behind. Not all are going to be necessary or practical depending on your circumstances, but it’s important to have them in mind and choose wisely.
- Food and Water Bowls
If you’re planning on taking your pooch on a car journey, it’s important to remember that they’ll need to eat and drink while you’re driving. They may need food and water more frequently than you plan on stopping, and you can get them for use specifically in cars.
- A Harness
It’s also a good idea to take a harness for your dog when traveling by car. This will enable you to keep them out of your way while you’re driving and also enable you to easily move them from one seat to another if necessary.
- A Dog Bed
If you’re boarding your dog while you travel, it’s a good idea to take their bed with you. This will help to keep them as comfortable as possible while they’re in the kennels and surround themselves with familiar smells.
- Dog Carrier
Whether you’re boarding your dog while you travel or not, it’s important to bring their crate with you. This should be FAA-approved and large enough for your dog to stand up, sit down, and turn around.
- Seat Belt
If you’re planning to drive with your dog, it’s a good idea to take a seat belt for them. This will help to keep them safe in the event of an accident – and can easily be attached to their harness.
- Air Freshener
If your dog will be in the car for a long period of time, it’s a good idea to take an air freshener with you. This will help to cut down on any unwanted smells and keep everybody – including you! – feeling as fresh as possible.
- A Checklist
Finally, it’s a good idea to make a list (and check it twice) of everything you need to take with you and your dog on your trip. This will help to ensure that you don’t forget anything important and will also help to keep you organized while you’re traveling.
When we think of holidays, we think of family. And for many of us, our dogs are every bit as much a family member as a blood relative. Thankfully, there’s no need to leave them behind when traveling this holiday season. Whether by car, plane or otherwise, we have more ways to safely bring our furry family members along than ever before. Safe travels from us to you!
