What You Need to Know About Traveling With Pets

[Emma Sturgis]

For many of us, family vacation now includes the entire family; those with fur and those without. When the dog or cat is going to come on any vacation with the family, there are new things to worry about. Type of travel matters, and so does the destination. None of us want to leave the furry family members behind, so here are the top things to consider when traveling with pets.

Is your pet ready for travel?

Going to some far off location with your pet along for the ride is not as easy as just packing some food and toys and hitting the road. To ensure that your pet is actually ready to travel, make sure to think about these important points.

• Is your pet in good enough health to travel? If your pet has any kind of injury or illness, then it will not be comfortable for any kind of trip.
• Do you have your pet microchipped? While it is not absolutely necessary, it is the best way to make sure that your pet is returned if it is lost.
• Are all of your pet's papers in order? Traveling across borders will mean that you need a health certification for your pet signed by a licensed veterinarian.

How are you going to get from A to B?

It makes a big difference if you are taking the car or a plane. Whichever you choose, here are a few tips for each.

• Make sure your pet does not get car sick
• Even if your pet likes to stick his head out the window, you should try and limit it as much as possible. Hearing damage and lung infections are both possible outcomes.
• Not every airline is equal. Airlines do not have uniform policies when it comes to pets, so make sure you check with the airline you are taking first.
• Consider safety. Incidents of pets being lost or injured on planes have been rising in the past few years; take that into account.

Where can you stay along the way?

Lastly, give some thought to your options for room and board. Not all places that let humans in will be alright with your four-legged friend. If you have friends or family at your destination you might be alright, but if not be sure to find a pet-friendly hotel. The famously pet-friendly Red Roof Inn has locations all over the United States, if your travels are based in America. If you're traveling on a budget, you can use a Red Roof Inn promo code to save on lodgings for you and your furry friend.

Above all, your pet’s safety and comfort should be your top priority if you bring them on a trip. Most pets will enjoy the experience, especially if you’ve planned ahead to make it as simple and comfortable as possible for them.