Traveling With Your Pet, Tips and Advice

“I have my cat…I want a travel trailer for her…What should I buy for my cat?” As with all pet purchases, there are a variety of products and services available to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of your pet. Before making travel arrangements, familiarize yourself with the necessities to assure the trip is both safe and pleasurable for both you and your beloved pet. By doing so, you can avoid making common mistakes and fully prepare yourself for your travel.

“We travel once or twice a year for extended periods. Is it safe to carry on a pet in the cabin with me? Would a harness or collar do the job? Our travel veterinarian suggests a harness with an ID tag for quick identification in the event of mishappenings while traveling with your pet.”

All domesticated animals require specific accommodations to ensure their safety during travel. The majority of airlines today provide a variety of options to accommodate your pets’ special needs. If possible, it is advisable to bring two dogs, two cats, and one smaller dog or cat in the cabin with you as the cabin configuration usually limits the number of dogs/cats you can take with you. It may be more challenging to board a flight with small dogs and cats as they may be held at the kennels where they can be observed while the other animals are screened for security. Boarding a plane with an animal other than the one normally booked will raise certain issues with the airline staff.

Carrier

One option to consider for transporting your pet on a hot or cold flight is a carrier or kennel. Kennels or carriers (often referred to as “barkers”) are designed to hold pets during long flights. They are similar to cages, but they allow you …