Consider alternatives such as leaving the pet home to be cared for by an experienced pet companion, familiar and trusted neighbor, or boarding the pet at a kennel.

If you decide to travel with your pet, here are some tips to reduce the pet’s stress and make the trip more pleasant:

Pet ID and Photo – Make sure your pet has a microchip and/or current identification tag that includes your name, address and cell phone number. Also, add a travel destination identification tag that includes destination information such as a contact name, address and telephone number.  Travel with a recent photo and description of the pet. These measures will enable your pet to be returned more quickly in the unfortunate event that he becomes lost while traveling.

Travel Plans – Make your travel plans well in advance. Make reservations at pet-friendly hotels and campgrounds. Make sure relatives and friends with whom you are staying will welcome your pet.

Grooming – Groom and bathe your pet prior to travel so he is pleasant to travel with. Clip nails to prevent harm to himself and pet handlers. Brush well to remove loose fur.

Health Certificates and Current Vaccinations – Make an appointment to visit the vet no more than ten days before the trip. Your vet can check and treat pet for common health conditions, transmittable diseases and infestations, and update vaccinations. The vet will issue a health certificate that is required by federal and state rules as well as airlines if flying, and hotels and campgrounds. Make sure you are familiar with health requirements at destinations, and check on restrictions and quarantine requirements if traveling overseas.

Tranquilizers and Motion Sickness Medication – Consult with your veterinarian. Many vets advise against using tranquilizers and motion sickness medicines because their side effects on the pet include dizziness and inability to stand up and balance. Also, the effects of tranquilizers at high altitudes while flying are unpredictable.

First Aid Kit – Travel with a pet first aid kit, including antiseptic ointments, bandages, vitamins and prescription medicine, and anti-diarrheal medicine as prescribed by a vet. Also include health care contact information such as the name and number for your regular veterinarian, the number for a 24 hour poison hotline, and the number and address for a local 24 hour emergency veterinarian hospital.

Carrier – The pet carrier should be large enough for the pet to stand up in and turn around easily. It should have a leak-proof bottom and be well-covered with absorbent material. Include a favorite unwashed blanket and familiar items such as sock or chew toy. It should have adequate ventilation and contain identification information for the owner as well as the destination. Plan on only one pet per carrier. Plan to keep the pet in the carrier while traveling by car to prevent injury to the pet during sudden stops and distraction to the driver from a roaming pet.

Introduce Pet to Carrier - Give the pet a chance to explore the open carrier to become familiar with it in advance.

Leash – Always keep the leash with you. Do not put it inside the carrier where the pet can get tangled in it. Put the leash on the pet before you open car doors or fully open a carrier door.

Food and Water– Pack travel food and water dishes. Pack bottled water. Continue using familiar favorite foods, this is not the time to try a new kibble or canned food.

Chow Time – Attempt to keep the pet on regular schedule for meals and snacks as much as possible. Avoid giving the pet a large meal just before traveling as they will be more comfortable traveling on an emptier stomach.

Water – Travel with bottled water and offer water every few hours. To avoid your pet having traveler’s diarrhea, when you arrive at the destination either continue to use bottled water or start to dilute local tap water with bottled water remove extra space here over a few days so the pet has a chance to adjust to the local water.

Litter Box and Litter – Pack a litter box and familiar kitty litter for cats. Cats dislike traveling anyway and will be stressed by additional changes such a new litter with a different scent or texture.

Exercise – Provide exercise as close as possible to the time of confinement in a carrier or car. If traveling by car, plan to stop every two hours to stretch their legs.

Daily Pet Health Assessment – Allow time to check the health of your pet every day. Be aware of any changes in appetite, energy and mood. Notice eye and nasal discharges, excessive scratching or biting, excessive thirst and water consumption, abnormal elimination, limps or other changes, and have the pet checked if you have any concerns.

Additional information about traveling with pets can be found at these links:

http://www.aspca.org
http://www.avma.org