First time traveling with your pet? Here’s the ultimate checklist to make sure you and your buddy have the time of your lives on your trip together!

1. Get an appropriate carrier

As is the case with any other kind of precious package you’ve tracked across the world, ensuring that your pet is kept safe and secured when traveling on an airplane (but also in a car) is essential. A crate or special carrier is a fantastic method to accomplish this and is also required by most airlines. The right kind of crate can also help keep your pet out of trouble in a hotel or at your host’s house. 

When shopping for a travel crate, make sure that it is large enough for your pet to stand in, turn, and lie down comfortably. It should be robust, with handles and grips and no internal protrusions. The bottom of the crate should be leak-proof and coated with an absorbent material in case of accidents, whereas ventilation should be provided on both sides, with outside handles that do not obstruct airflow. Include a soft mat, your pet’s favorite toy, and a water bottle.

If your pet travels with cargo, do not forget to place a “Live Animal” label, upright arrows, and your name, address, and phone number on the crate. 

2. Have clear pet identification

Suppose your cat or dog becomes separated from you during your journey. In that case, you can drastically improve the chances of them being safely returned to you by making sure they can be correctly identified. 

Therefore, your pet should be wearing a strong collar with an identification tag containing their name, your name, and your phone number, as well as proof of mandatory shots. Experts also recommend microchipping your pet as a permanent form of identification. 

If you plan to spend more than a few days on your trip, consider getting a second identification tag with your vacation home address and phone number. 

3. Stay up-to-date on vaccinations

Before embarking on a lengthy journey, take your pet to the veterinarian for a checkup to ensure that all of their vaccines are up to date. Airline travel requires a prior health clearance, so you should consult your veterinarian to assess whether your pet is in good enough mental and physical condition to travel. 

Of course, you should be prepared in case of a health emergency. Find the phone number for the nearest 24-hour veterinary emergency facility in your vacation spot and save it on your phone, along with the office and emergency numbers of your usual veterinarian so you can contact them for advice.

4. Book pet-friendly accommodation

Many hotels do not allow pets on their premises or simply have size limitations. Find out ahead of time whether the kind of lodging you plan on booking is pet-friendly or not.

Respect other guests, employees, and the property if your dog is allowed to stay at a hotel by maintaining as much silence as possible. Do not leave them alone for extended periods; many dogs will bark or destroy property if left alone in an unfamiliar location.

Ask the management where you should walk your dog and where you should pick up after him. Remember that one poor encounter with a canine visitor may cause the hotel management to refuse all pets in the future. 

5. Bring pet food from home

Your pet may have an upset stomach if their diet or eating habits change while you’re away, and the easiest way to mitigate that is to bring their food from home. If you’re traveling to a place where you won’t be able to find the same pet food brands you normally buy, make sure to pack your suitcase appropriately so that you can fit several days’ worth of your pet’s food in there as well. 

This is also important because changing your pet’s diet as you travel might be difficult, especially for picky eaters. Make sure to bring the right serving of a trusted brand, like freshly cooked dog food for your pup and your cat’s favorite kibble, to ensure your pet is happy and healthy throughout the trip. 

In addition, make sure that you stick to their regular feeding routine — most cats and dogs might feel anxious about traveling and spending time in an unfamiliar place. In contrast, sticking to a routine they are familiar with will help provide the necessary peace of mind for them to stay relaxed and comfortable during your trip.

Final thoughts

Hopefully, this article provided you with the information that you need to make your next pet travel experience run as smoothly as possible.

We've discussed keeping your pet healthy while traveling, booking reservations, and bringing everything that you need when you make the trip. You might want to save this one for future reference!

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