How to Travel Safely With Your Pet

Bringing the family dog along on your yearly vacation is becoming an increasingly common occurrence these days. Thirty-seven percent of people travel with their pets each year. There are many pet-friendly cities that are vacation hotspots for travelers who have four-legged family members. However, traveling safely with your pet is something that too few pet owners pause to consider.

Recently, a French bulldog named Papacito was the victim of every pet owner’s worst nightmare when he died on a United Airlines flight after being stowed in an overhead bin. While Papacito’s situation might be extreme, it’s drawing attention to the dangers of flying or traveling with a beloved pet. Just like humans, pets require special considerations and safety conditions for their health and wellness. Here’s how to consider your pet’s health when vacation planning.

Traveling Safely with Your Pet

When traveling with your pet, whether you are flying or driving, whether you’re renting a hotel or camping in an RV, there are some important safety considerations you should take:

• The airline industry often treats your pet like luggage. In addition to the United Airlines story mentioned above, it’s also quite common for airlines to leave pet carriers sitting on the tarmac, even in extreme weather, or mishandled along with other bags and luggage. For these reasons, the ASPCA recommends booking direct flights whenever possible to avoid layovers.
• Always travel with your pet in an approved carrier and check with your vet beforehand to see if you should bring any medications, including medicines to reduce anxiety and help your pet relax.
• Although it is sometimes possible to teach an old dog new travel tricks, it’s better to start them young, says Chicago veterinarian Dr. Kelly Ballantyne. Pets who’ve traveled all their lives are less likely to find the experience stressful.

If You Absolutely Can’t Bring Your Pet

Sometimes, it really isn’t in your pet’s best interests to come with you. After all, that round-the-world trip might do wonders for you, but for a pug with breathing difficulties, an overseas flight can quickly escalate to a life-or-death situation. Other times, you may not be able to afford to bring your beloved pet. Many hotels and resorts refuse to allow pets on their property, and some breeds of dogs are banned on certain airlines. Even if you do find hotels and airlines that are pet-friendly, the hefty fees are unaffordable for many people.

Although this doesn’t mean you’ll need to cancel your vacation, it does mean you’ll need to consider a few safety precautions. Here are a few safety tips for leaving your dog home alone.

• Consider your dog’s temperament and health conditions. If your dog is prone to separation anxiety or has any sort of health condition that needs to be monitored, it might be best to board your dog or hire a pet sitter.
• Make sure that your home is dog-proof or cat-proof before you leave. This includes putting away any foods or plants that are toxic to dogs and cats. You might store them out of reach on a high shelf or locked inside a closed pantry.
• Keep kitchen trash in a lidded bin. Depending upon the size and intelligence of your dog, you might want to consider a latched bin. Smaller trash bins, such as the bathroom trash, can be tucked away beneath the sink.

One final tip: Dogs are pack animals and shouldn’t be left home alone for days at a time.  Although the safe window to leave your dog home alone depends on your dog’s breed, age, and health conditions, the max is probably three to four hours, experts say. If you plan to be gone for longer than a short day trip, plan to have a pet sitter on standby just in case. This way, your dog will be safe and taken care of and you won’t have to worry about your home being trashed when you return.

Taking a trip should be fun. And by following these simple tips and taking some proactive steps, you can enjoy a safe, stress-free vacation — whether you bring your pet with you or leave him at home.