Summer’s here, and that means escaping city limits for vacation destinations around the world. For pet owners who don’t like leaving their furry extended family behind, that can also mean additional planning and preparation. Here are 10 things to keep in mind when taking your pet along for the ride.
1. Give Your Dog Plenty Of Exercise First.
When traveling with a pet for long distances, it’s recommended that you keep them in a crate. (In the event of an accident, it can keep them from being thrown around.) While confined to his temporary habitat, a dog will feel more at ease if he’s not harboring a lot of pent-up energy: making sure he’s gone for a jog or ball-chasing session beforehand can mean the difference between a stressful journey (for both of you) and a relaxed trip.
2. Keep Them Running On Empty.
Whether a dog is going by car or plane, it’s a good idea to make sure they’ve emptied their bladder first. If possible, fasting for six or so hours prior to departure can also prevent any accidents.
3. Make Sure They’re Tagged.
A lot can happen during air or road travel that could result in an accidental separation. To maximize the chances for a quick reunion, make sure your pet has an ID tag and a microchip—the former should have information about your destination along with a contact number.
4. Obtain A Health Certificate.
If you travel by plane, most airlines will require a current health certificate from a veterinarian stating your pet is in good health. Your vet can also advise on relaxation techniques that don’t involve sedation.
5. Create A Familiar Environment.
Your pet will be getting a bit of sensory overload with a new beach or hotel room to experience, so make sure he has something from home—a toy, a blanket, a favorite treat—that can help make him feel more comfortable.
6. Avoid The Window Breezes.
Dogs love sticking their head out of a car window, but their safety can be compromised: eye injuries from foreign objects can be an issue, especially at high speeds.
7. Keep Them In The Back.
A dog riding shotgun may seem like the natural choice, but for their safety, it’s best to keep their crate stored in a back seat. A deployed front airbag runs the risk of harming your pet.
8. Know That Some Breeds Aren’t Plane-Friendly.
A dog or cat breed with a “flat” face (bulldogs, Persian cats) runs an increased risk of developing oxygen deprivation or heat stroke due to their shortened nasal passages. Always make sure you understand the factors involved in air travel, particularly with the uncontrolled climate of the cargo hold, before committing.
9. Stick To Bottled Water.
If your dog drinks from the tap, he or she has gotten used to your area’s water supply. That won’t be the case at your destination, where a different city’s or region’s water carries the risk of upsetting your dog’s stomach. Stick with bottled or slowly acclimate your pet to the new source by adding a little at a time to his bowl.
10. Head Back To The Vet.
Once you and your pet are home, take another trip back to the vet for a check-up, especially if you’ve spent a portion of your time camping or hiking: parasites and other pests might have hitched a ride back with you.
Keeping your pets safe is important, and having the right pet insurance coverage is, too. Find out how the GEICO Insurance Agency can help you find coverage for your four-legged family member at a great rate.
Debra says,
Where would I take my German shepherd to get trained for this?
Cathy says,
Thank you ! This really helped about the car ride.
Great insight ! We have poodles and I bought my first car seat.
Natasha Rodriguez says,
Thank you so much for this important information for our pets.
Juan A. Velez says,
Thank you fro the ten steps on traveling with a pet, it help me to know how to take care of my dog while on the road.
Dario Delgado says,
Thank you for your 10 good ideas to traveling with my dogs
Tennison says,
Unsecured crates can also be dangerous, for the dogs and for other passengers. There are many excellent harnesses designed for or that facilitate use with a seatbelt. I use the “freedom harness” manufactured by 2 Hounds Design, which has a loop at the back, and the seatbelt fits through easily. A secondary benefit is that the dog is more relaxed when she is firmly secured and more likely to drop right off to sleep.
Ivette says,
This is great information! Thank you, Geico!
Pete smith says,
This is very good information for dog owners that don’t travel with their pet often. My wife are,old pro’s at it. We do a lots of traveling in our coach but we often drives the conversation van and our dog has a built-in special seat built between the wife. He is something else. Thanks so much for the information.
Deborah Brown says,
Great tips I’m so glad I do most of them some people need to know this 2 thumbs up
Edwin says,
That was great information.
Sue says,
Great article on travel with our favorite 4-legged companions.
Mari says,
Great info! Thanks Geico:)
Ingrid says,
I take a spare car key for those times I must make a potty break and leave the dogs in the car and the air running. The sun reaches 160 degrees in 8 minutes in the summer here.
Elaine Remillet says,
Never, ever, leave pets unattended in an un-air conditioned car if you stop for a restroom or meal break. Heat can be deadly.
Rachel Strickland says,
This was really good information. Thank you very much.
Rodolfo morin says,
good tips thanks Geico