Tips to Travel Safely With Pets
Written by
Michael Levin
Medically reviewed by
Chyrle Bonk
People today travel with a variety of pets—dogs, cats, birds, rabbits and others. Deciding which mode of transportation is best and taking steps to ensure the safety and health of your pet is essential to a good experience. Most people bring a dog or cat on trips, so this discussion focuses on these animals.
TL;DR (Too Long; Didn’t Read):
The key to successful travel with dogs and cats is planning ahead. Tips for traveling with dogs or cats include microchipping your pet, carrying supplies like food and water, identifying pet-friendly hotels, obtaining veterinarian-issued proof of vaccinations, transporting the animal in the right-sized carrier, etc. Many cats and dogs become very frightened when traveling, so their owners administer CBD for pets designed to deliver calming effects.
Table of Contents
Pre-Trip Preparations
Some pre-trip preparations apply to dogs and cats when traveling by car or air.
Veterinarian
You want to let a veterinarian check your pet for health issues and to ensure vaccinations are current. The veterinarian can provide documentation proving your dog or cat is vaccinated and taking medications, if applicable. A Certificate of Health is required for all air travel and car travel when entering some states. This is determined by the destination state, so be sure to check requirements before beginning to travel by car. Your vet can explore various methods to help calm pets and make their travel experience more comfortable as well.
ID Tag
Every traveling pet should wear an ID tag with current contact information.
Microchip
Microchipping takes identification to the next level. It is proof of ownership, cannot be lost like a collar with and ID tag and the information is secured in a pet registry. An ID tag with the microchip number and your phone number is a more efficient method for showing ownership without the need to contact the veterinarian.
Carrier
For the safest ride, secure your pet in an appropriately sized carrier. For large dogs, this may not be attainable, so consider a dog seat belt, dog car seat, or similar restraint.
Rest stops
If traveling by car or truck, you should map out the trip and identify places where you can stop and allow your leashed dog or cat to stretch their legs.
Accommodations
Identify pet-friendly hotels or accommodations. Fortunately, there are many options, but they may have restrictions like keeping your pet leashed or enclosed in a carrier. Know these rules beforehand so that you can prepare appropriately.
Packing Essentials
Preparing ahead of time for traveling with a dog or cat will make your trip more enjoyable for you and your pet. The following is a laundry list of items to consider. Some are necessary, like proof of current vaccinations and a health certificate if traveling by air, and some are nice to have.
- Proof of current vaccinations
- Health certificate
- Medications if applicable
- Adequate food
- Bottled water
- Pet treats
- Portable litter box with liners, scoop and litter for car travel
- Dog poop bags
- Food and water bowls (collapsible ones are easy to carry)
- Dog or cat carrier that is big enough for the animal.
- Dog or cat toys
- Dog car seat that is secured with a seatbelt
- Extra collar and current ID tags, extra leash
A dog or cat crate is required for airline travel and is useful in a hotel room. The crate should have ventilation on both sides and allow enough room for the animal to stand, turn around and lie down. Including some comfortable items may help your pet stay calm. These could be a favorite toy, a piece of clothing, or familiar bedding, for example.
Choosing the Right Mode of Transportation
The Humane Society recommends driving your pet whenever possible. Of course, air transportation is necessary if traveling overseas. When traveling in the U.S., you can use a vehicle or air transportation. Which is the suitable mode of transportation for your dog or cat? There is no right or wrong answer, but here are some tips on deciding how to travel when you have a dog or cat.
Length of the trip
A long car trip may be overwhelming for some pets, so consider air travel if you’ll need to drive for many days.
Car space
Ensure that you have ample room in your car for all passengers, luggage, and your pet carrier. Ideally, pet carrier should sit on the floor or tethered to a seat.
Size of the pet
If a pet carrier will fit under the seat in front of you on an airplane, your pet can be “carry-on luggage.” Otherwise, larger dogs must travel in the cargo hold during air travel. Not all airlines allow cargo transport for dogs. Each airline has unique requirements. For example, United Airlines only allows pets to be carried on and no longer allows cargo transportation.
Age and dog breed
Your dog’s age is a consideration. Some airlines will not allow the transport of puppies under eight weeks of age, and older dogs may have health conditions that make air or car travel difficult. Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds may have breathing difficulties that can worsen with air travel.
Time of the year
The extreme summer and winter temperatures are a consideration. Though airline cargo holds are temperature-controlled, the outdoor temperatures your pets may be exposed to during air or car travel may be stressful.
Costs
There is usually an additional airline fee for flying a pet, even if they are allowed in carriers in the cabin.
Flight schedule
If your flight schedule requires changing planes several times, your pet may experience even more discomfort.
Other Modes of Transportation With a Pet
There is a third transportation mode option: train. Amtrak allows small dogs or cats that weigh no more than 20 pounds and are at least eight weeks old. The same considerations apply to pet carrier size, proof of animal vaccinations and health, and so on.
A fourth option is to use a pet transport service. These services are trained to handle traveling dogs and cats. They are focused on reducing pet nervousness and ensuring your furry friend remains comfortable.
Additional Tips for Traveling with Dogs and Cats
Choosing the right mode of transportation is key to pet safety during travel, but there are some things to keep in mind. The following are some pet safety tips.
Food and water
Dry pet food is allowed in carry-on bags when flying, but moist or wet food may need to be checked. It is best if the food is in unopened packages. If your dog is traveling in the cargo space, attach a small food bag to the carrier in case the flight is delayed for an extended period.
Carrier reprieve
All animals need a reprieve from being in a small space for hours. If possible, in between flights, take your cat or dog out of the carrier and let your furry friend walk around on a leash. If driving, stop periodically and let your dog or cat stretch their legs.
Adhere to a schedule
As much as possible, adhere to your pet’s eating schedule.
Using CBD to Calm a Frightened Pet
Some animals experience extreme discomfort while traveling. Sedatives are sometimes administered, but they don’t really help with a pet’s travel discomfort. They just make them sleepy. A better alternative may be CBD for pets, formulated to calm a dog or cat.
A variety of CBD products and treats are available today that offer calming effects. Calming oils are an option that may contain CBD plus additional natural ingredients known to promote relaxation, like melatonin and herbs like lemon balm and chamomile.
Dog treats made with CBD and other ingredients with calming effects, like valerian root and passion flower, are ideal for travel, however. Can you take dog treats on a plane? Treats are solid food, so you can take them on an airplane. They are also convenient to pack in suitcases, carry in handbags, and place in the storage areas of the carrier.
Research has demonstrated the positive influence of CBD in dogs during car travel and separation. In the study, dogs were either given a daily dose of CBD or a placebo for six months. Dogs who took the CBD were observed be more relaxed and showed fewer physical signs of discomfort, like decreased temperature and cortisol production, compared to a placebo group of dogs.
The following are some recommendations for when you know you will be traveling.
• If already giving your pet CBD, make sure it is formulated for calming.
• Administer CBD oil or feed CBD treats to your dog or cat on a routine schedule before traveling for at least a month before the trip starts.
• Give your dog or cat a CBD dose a half hour before beginning your trip.
• Continue administering CBD regularly to your pet every day while traveling.
The key word is “consistency” in CBD administration whether giving CBD for cats or dogs. Using CBD to calm a pet can be effective, but it is essential to approach it with care and professional guidance. Always check with your veterinarian when you know you will be traveling, and make sure CBD for pets is a good choice.
Destination Considerations
The following are some additional tips for traveling with a dog or a cat.
- Choose a direct flight whenever possible with a schedule allowing for feeding times to be as normal as possible.
- Verify that your destination is pet friendly, even if you’re staying with family or friends.
- Verify the laws and regulations concerning pets of your final destination, whether traveling in the U.S. or internationally.
- Research the CBD laws in the state or country you identified as your end destination.
- Identify the nearest veterinarian at your destination in case your pet experiences an emergency.
Successfully Traveling With Pets
Successfully traveling with pets is mostly a matter of planning ahead and taking precautions. You want to ensure your dog or cat is comfortable and remains calm. Speak to your veterinarian if you have any questions or concerns about traveling with your pets.
Sources
- https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/state-to-state
- https://www.americanhumane.org/public-education/remember-safety-while-driving-with-pets/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9992179/
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