What You Need To Know Before Traveling With Your Pets
We have curated a list of tips that will make travels with your pet as smooth and as comfortable as possible
09/03/2020
Planning a trip can be overwhelming with the many details that need to be taken care of. Adding a pet to your travel plans can quickly make it confusing, especially if you have never traveled with them before. There are many reasons that would make you want your pet to join your trips, whether for emotional support, going on vacation for fun, or if you are simply relocating to a different country. There are a few things that you need to know and prepare before taking your pet with you. Before you embark on this journey with your pet, we’ve curated a list of tips that will make your travels as smooth and as comfortable as possible
Get Your Pet Ready
Your pets, unlike you, are creatures of habit and will most likely not be welcoming of new changes of scenery and experience. You should plan in advance for getting them accommodated and comfortable with the new sensations and sights they will be seeing. When you’re traveling, your pet will be in a carrier and they will need to get used to vibrations and loud noises.
Start by keeping a carrier that isn’t locked near their sleeping spot and teach them how to use it without shutting the door. This will help familiarize them with a carrier and sitting in it. Pick it up and place it down with your pet inside so they’d get used to the motions. The same goes for vibrations and moving vehicles. Whether you will be traveling by plane, train, or car, start taking your pet with you on your short errands to the supermarket or to the pharmacy. They will get used to being exposed to the car vibrations, the wind, and the unfamiliar noises which will help make them less jumpy when it comes to traveling.
Pet Passports
Applying for a pet passport ahead of your travel plans is essential. PETS or Pet Travel Schemas is essentially a passport for your pet. This passport is issued by your vet and includes all the information and documentation on your pet’s health and vaccines. For your pet to be eligible for a passport they will be microchipped to ensure that they can be tracked if they get lost. They will also have to be vaccinated against rabies and provide proof of treatment against ticks and tapeworms. Depending on the country you are traveling to, at least one or all of the above requirements are a must for them to be allowed into the country. In these situations, it is highly advisable to think about pet insurance, as well.
Flying with a Pet
Before you decide to book a flight for your pet, call the airlines to understand their requirements and regulations regarding animals. Their only way to ensure that your pet will be able to stay with you is if they are a registered emotional support animal (ESA). To be eligible, you must have a certified travel letter from a physician that you are in need of an ESA. You will need to find out if you qualify using a confidential screening test that would let you know if you can be referred to a physician to issue a travel letter for your pet. Unless your pet is an emotional support animal, they might not allow them to be with you during the flight. Each airline will have different policies. Some airlines don’t allow pets in the cabin, while others may allow a small pet but only in a carrier that can fit under your seat. Also, some airlines will need them to be in a travel crate and tranquilized in the inflight storage area. Traveling can be a taxing experience for your pets, and you should try to ensure their comfort throughout the journey as much as possible.
Visit the Vet
A few days before your trip date, make sure you take your fluffy ball of fur to the vet for a checkup as it is a prerequisite before your pet travels. Depending on your travel destination, your vet will let you know of any required travel vaccines that they might need to get. They can assess to see if your pet's health is in good condition and will be able to handle the stress of traveling and high altitudes, and overall give you an updated bill of health as part of your pet's travel documentation that they have been cleared for travel.
While traveling to a new destination with your pet can be fun, it can also be overwhelming if you are not well prepared. Make sure your pet gets accustomed to new noises and carriers, ensure they are in good health, vaccinated and microchipped, and issue their pet passport early on. The preparations before traveling will make all the difference to your pet’s well-being and allow you to feel excited about your upcoming trip.