As you gear up for spring break, Memorial Day weekend, and summer vacations, you might be wondering if you can take your dog along for the ride (or flight!). Of course we’ve got you covered if you’d like to schedule drop-in visits, overnights, or boarding, but taking your fur balls on vacation can be fun too.
We’ve collected a few tips and tricks for traveling with your fur ball this during the upcoming spring and summer months. As always, remember that each pet has its own unique needs and it’s important to plan accordingly.
Plan ahead – while it seems obvious, there are lots of additional things to consider when you travel with your fur ball. Things to consider:
- Does your hotel or rental property accept animals? Do they have a crate or gated area to keep your pet safe when you’re not around?
- What route should we take to ensure we will find places to stop for potty breaks?
- Do I have an idea of 1-2 vets in the destination location who we can see in case of an emergency?
- What activities can my fur ball participate in with us? Is there a dog-friendly beach or restaurant in the area?
- What is the weather forecast and how will that impact our plans? Remember: never leave your dog unattended in your car, especially during the hot summer months.
Feeding before a car ride – we recommend adjusting the feeding schedule a bit, so that your dog has time to digest and defecate before entering the car. Feeding them at least 60 minutes before they hop in the car is a good rule of thumb. Does your dog get motion sickness? You might opt to feed them after you reach your destination if the journey is relatively short.
Flying with your dog or cat – prior to jumping on a plane with your fur ball, it’s important that you have them checked for fitness by a veterinarian and purchase an appropriate crate or travel bag. In general, small dogs can ride with you in the cabin and the rules about carriers are a bit more lax in this situation. However, if you are traveling with a larger dog – especially internationally – it is important that you follow specific container guidelines as outlined by your airline, countries of departure and arrival, and The International Air Travel Association.
Flying with your fur ball as an “emotional support companion” just got a bit harder – after multiple complaints and concerning incidents, airlines are beginning to tighten regulations around the qualification of animals as emotional support companions. If you’ve traveled with your dog, cat, parrot, or even snake (yikes!) under this program before, make sure to check with your airline as rules might have changed.
Water is critical, no matter the mode of travel – your balls need water to ensure they don’t get dehydrated. We recommend offering short drinks of water throughout the journey, but keeping moderation in mind to avoid accidents.
Our #1 recommendation? Invest additional time in researching the best options now so your vacation with Fido is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
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