How to Include Your Pets in Your Travel Plans

Pet Care
How to Include Your Pets in Your Travel Plans

Many people think of their pet as a member of their family and having to leave them behind on a family vacation can feel almost as though they’re in a rendition of home alone three… or four? I can’t even recall what number that series has reached but either way, I’m sure that going on holiday without your pet can create a noticeable void in your life. The good news is that there are options you can consider if you decide to take your pet with you!

Before making the decision to have them travel with you, you’ll want to plan ahead to ensure that you and your pet can have a smooth and worry-free vacation.

  1. traveling with your petTraveling by plane during this time of year can be hectic as so many of us are scrambling to spend the holidays with our families. If you decide to travel by plane with your pet, there are a few things to consider:
    1. Research the pet policies of the airline you plan on taking: Many major commercial airlines offer options for passengers to take their pet with them in the cabin, assuming they are able to comfortably fit in a pet carrier that can be stowed under the seat. Airline carriers such as American, Air Canada, Delta, JetBlue, Spirit, and Southwest all offer this option for a fee that will range somewhere between $100 – $150. Some airlines only offer this option to domestic flyers, so if you plan to fly internationally with your pet you should research the policy of the airline you plan to take.
    2. It is highly recommended by the American Veterinary Medical Association not to tranquilize your pet for the flight. Although this might seem like a smart idea to prevent your pet from feeling anxiety or stress, it could prevent your pet from naturally adjusting to the changing air pressure and could cause respiratory or cardiovascular problems. There are alternative options for keeping your pet calm, such as having them engage in exercise prior to take-off to ensure that they will be fatigued for the flight as well as taking along a favorite toy or some treats.
  1. traveling with your petIf you decide to travel with your pet by car, there are also some things to be aware of:
    1. If your pet is not used to the car: Do a trial run and take it on a short drive to gauge its reaction. This will help you assess what it may need for the long drive.
    2. Cats should be kept in a carrier to prevent them from exploring the car, which could cause distractions and be dangerous to the driver.
    3. Dogs should be restrained in the back seat or kept in a kennel if there is space to do so. I realize that this rule might be hard to follow given that so many of us love having our dogs by our side on a road trip, but unfortunately AAA reports that 30,000 accidents are caused each year by an unrestrained dog in the front seat, so this is an important rule to follow.
    4. Dogs should not be transported in the bed of a truck and it is wise to avoid rolling down the windows. Although your dog may enjoy sticking his head out the window, riding this way could cause ear damage or expose him to lung infections, according to the ASPCA.
    5. Be sure to take plenty of food and water for your animal and plan to make potty stops if you are bringing your dog.
  1. traveling with your petIn addition to planning pet-friendly transportation for your vacation, if you are not staying with family, you will have to book a pet-friendly hotel. Of course, you can always search for hotels in the area where you are vacationing and call them or consult their website to see if they have lodging options for pet owners. For reference, however, here is a list of hotels that provide accommodations for patrons who are traveling with pets:
    1. La Quinta Inn and Suites
    2. Some Hyatt locations
    3. Red Roof Inn
    4. Motel 6
    5. Fairmont Hotels
    6. Kimpton Hotels
    7. Indigo Hotels

Some of these hotels include fees with pet lodging, so check before you book you stay to ensure that you don’t encounter any surprise fees!

For so many families, traveling is an unavoidable part of the holidays, and this often means leaving a pet behind. On the contrary, there are options if you decide to take the alternative and include your pet in your holiday plans. Just be sure and do your research so that you can accommodate your pet and have a fun and safe vacation that includes the whole family!

Have you ever traveled with your pet? How did it go? Leave a comment and share your story with us!