The idea of traveling with pets may make you feel excited and overwhelmed at the same time. You are filled with questions about what you should do, how you should do it, and where to stay. Traveling with pets can be quite an adventure, not only for the pet but for you as well. With careful planning and following these 7 Tips for Traveling with Pets, traveling with your pet can be as fun as riding with your head out the window.
1. Plan Your Travel Route
Open Google Maps, and type in the city and state you are departing and the city and state of your destination. Only add stops to the route if it adds miles to your total. Knowing the total miles to travel will give you an idea of how many days this adventure will last.
Next, decide how many miles you want to travel in a day. The Sterling Pooch Pet Services limits our VIP Pet Ground Transports and Your Pet Your Car Transports to approximately 525 miles per day. The hours spent driving 525 miles, plus adding the time spent getting gas, eating, and walking your dog, could easily total ten or more hours on the road.
2. Decide Your Pet’s Ride: Crate, Seat Restraint, or Free Ride
Your dog or cat’s safety, comfort, and well-being are essential when deciding how to transport your pet during the car ride. Their crate or kennel from home will give your pet a feeling of safety. If your dog or cat has anxiety, their crate and bedding will help relieve some of their stress. A seat restraint resembles a short leash where one end attaches to your pet’s harness and the other clicks into the seatbelt or attaches under the headrest. The seat restraint allows your pet some movement but keeps them safe if you have to make a sudden stop. The free ride allows your pet to move around your car during transport. However, a couple of things to consider when allowing your pet to move freely. First, if you must hit the brake suddenly, your dog or cat becomes a missile. They could hit you from behind or go through the windshield. Second, if an accident occurred, your scared pet could flee the scene and become lost.
3. The Dog or Cat House
Not all hotels, motels, campsites, RV parks, Airbnb, or VRBOs allow pets, so read the property website carefully to determine if pets are allowed. Also, the fine print may mention charging a per night, per pet fee.
When utilizing online hotel booking sites, there are two filters The Sterling Pooch Pet Services uses in the hotel search: pet-friendly and free parking. Important Note: If you travel with a cat, pet-friendly does not mean cat friendly. You must call the hotel property, and speak to the front desk person, asking if the hotel allows cats. If you do not verify this detail, you may not be allowed to check in at that hotel.
Another item to consider is if your accommodation has a grassy area for your dog’s potty needs. I have stayed at many pet-friendly hotels that didn’t have nearby grassy areas. Unless your dog is comfortable doing business on concrete, you may want to view outdoor pictures of your accommodations before reserving.
A great resource is the BringFido app. This is a user-friendly app and is great for finding pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, and activities. Click the Services tab and there you will find listings for Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers, Doggie Daycare and Boarding, Veterinarians, Pet Stores, Dog Training, Dog Grooming, and Animal Shelters.
4. Get the “All Clear”
Before making a long-distance ground transport with your pet, a trip to your veterinarian is required. An examination of your pet will be done to ensure your pet is in good health. Most states require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) to be completed and signed by your veterinarian. Dogs and cats over three months must have proof of Rabies vaccination.
Read about the requirements for your destination state.
5. Petphrenalia (I made it up)
A few days before starting this adventure, gather the items (petphrenalia) your pet will need while on the road. You may be surprised at how much room your pet, crate, and petphrenalia will occupy in your car.
Here are ways to save space:
- Buy small bags of pet food and cat litter to last the trip and purchase larger bags when you arrive at your destination.
- Personal luggage can be secured on top of crates if light enough. Be careful not to cover any of the crate’s air holes.
- Put bedding and toys inside their crates.
- Use collapsible food and water dishes.
6. Comfort Stops
Stopping and stretching every two hours of driving is a good idea when traveling long distances. Getting out of the car and walking around will alleviate sluggishness. Your dog (not the cat!) will also need a break to stretch, potty, and have some water (give some to the cat). Take this time for you and your dog to enjoy the fresh air. Allow your dog time to sniff the area and process the different smells.
The “not so fun part of dog ownership”- Please clean up after your dog and put the waste in the trash can.
7. Make it Fun!
Take lots of photos of your dog and cat during this adventure. Walk your dog at national monuments, roadside attractions, hiking in parks, wading in streams, pictures of your cat playing in hotel rooms and looking grumpy in the car. Google locations of quirky and fun roadside attractions on your route. You could make an album on your Facebook page of “Our Big Adventure” for friends and family to enjoy.
Renee is the owner of The Sterling Pooch Pet Services and believes in the importance of continuing her education to offer the best of care to your loved pets.
As an avid animal lover and former Vet Tech, Renee not only gives her heart to your pets, but also keeps a clinical eye on their physical and behavior health.
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