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Traveling with Your Pet

When leaving on vacation, many pet owners opt to leave their pet behind at a boarding house or with family or friends; however, some clients choose to have their pets join the holiday fun. Before traveling with pets, be sure to check local regulations regarding pet travel and safety. Also confirm that the places you will be staying (hotel, friend’s house, etc.) allows pets. 

Airplane

Each airline has different regulations regarding pet travel. It is the clients responsibility to know the requirements for the airline and the destination country prior to your visit, ie. export papers. We ask you bring the specific paperwork required for your veterinarian to sign. Most airlines require a certificate of health and proof of vaccination dated no more than 10 days prior to your flight. The following requirements are true for most major airlines: 

  • Allow your pet a familiar toy during the flight. 
  • Attach a pet water container to the side of the crate. 
  • Crate must have slits for ventilation and handles to grip. 
  • Crate should be lined with absorbent materials in case of pet accident. 
  • Crate should have contact information labeled clearly on it along with a current photo of the pet owner. 
  • Pet should have proper identification on collar. 
  • Pets need to be secured in a bolted crate. 
  • Trim your pet’s nails to avoid catching on crate openings.

Car

Traveling by car is one of the most common ways pet owners travel. For pets accustomed to car rides, travel is fairly easy on both pet and owner. Pets will need a comfortable area to lie down, frequent stops for exercise and elimination, and ventilation via windows. Be sure to bring your pet’s leash and an adequate supply of food and water for your trip. Pets should never be left in the car alone and should never have access to a fully opened window. If you are traveling with cats, it is suggested that they remain in a small crate which allows more security than being allowed to roam the car. Be sure that your pet is equipped with identification (ie. collar/ID, microchip) prior to travel, on the off chance that they get away during your trip. It is not unusual for pets to experience nausea while travelling in the car. Ask your Veterinarian for recommendations on how to prevent and/or help manage this.