Traveling With Your Pet

With their own seatbelts, luggage and collapsible food and water bowls, our pets are now, more than ever, ready to travel with us. So, what can you do to insure that your pet will arrive safely and ready to enjoy your vacation?

According to the American Animal Hospital Association, more than 53 percent of dogs and cats travel with their owners. But pets are prohibited from traveling by bus or train in most states. That leaves driving or flying with us. There are many simple things that pet owners can do to insure their pet’s comfort and safety during any trip.


Necessary Documents

Make sure that your pet has proper identification at all times. This can be an ID tag on his collar. But a more permanent solution would be the use of an implantable microchip. Make sure you have current copies of vaccination records and needed medications easily accessible. Ask your family veterinarian for a recommendation of an emergency hospital near your destination. Some airlines and travel sites may require a health certificate for your pet dated within 10 days from the start of your travels.

Pets that will be flying must be over eight weeks old and weaned for at least five days. Most airlines require a health certificate and all recommend arriving at the airport early to insure the smooth check-in of your pet. Kennels that will be checked into the cargo area must be non-collapsible, large enough to allow the pet to stand and have a leak-proof bottom covered with absorbent material.


Extra Precautions

Be sure to check the weather at home and at your destination. Some specific breeds and individual pets may not do well traveling during warmer temperatures. Airlines may refuse to transport pets if the temperature exceeds 85 degrees in the cargo hold or is less than 45 degrees anywhere along the itinerary. American Airlines, for example, requires a veterinarian’s statement that the pet is acclimated to cold weather if the temperature drops below 45 degrees.

The majority of accidents and injuries that happen to pets on airplanes are the result of poor quality carriers or kennels that are missing pieces. Good preparation for travel can avoid a loss or death of a pet. For owners who have contemplated sedation for their pets, the answer is a resounding no. The American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Humane Association both agree that sedation during flight is a health risk pet owners shouldn’t take.

On the Road

Traveling by car may be less complex than air travel, but due to the longer time frames, owners need to plan rest stops and exercise times for their animal companions. Keep a jug of fresh water accessible at all times. Pets travel better being offered small amounts of food and water frequently rather than their normal amount all at once. Cats should be kept in carriers or cages during travel to avoid escape or the cat getting underfoot of the driver.

Diane Levitan, V.M.D., is director of The Center for Specialized Veterinary Care in Westbury.