A Practical Guide to Traveling with Pets
by Krysten Davis
Pets can be members of the family, too—so what do you do with Fido or Fluffy when it’s time to take a family vacation? Some families elect to bring their animals along, while others opt to leave them at home in the care of friends, relatives, sitters, or kennels. We’ve compiled a guide to traveling with your animal friends, as well as resources to use if you decide to leave them at home, so you can decide which option works best for all the members of your family.
Pets on the Road
If you’ve decided to bring your pet along, you’ll have to decide on the best method of travel. Is it better to drive and give everyone (including the animals) the chance to stretch their legs and take frequent breaks, or is it better to fly and get the traveling over with as quickly as possible?
If Traveling by Car…
If you decide to drive, it’s important to make sure to keep your pet comfortable while in transit. The ASPCA provides a list of tips for car travel with pets, including the following:
- Keep the pet or pets secured in a well-ventilated carrier. Many pets feel more secure in a carrier that’s on the small side, though you should make sure they have enough room to stand up, turn around, sit, and lie down. You may want to put a favorite toy, pillow, or blanket in the carrier with your pet if there’s room to remind him or her of home and increase feelings of security. It’s a good idea to get your pet used to the container before your trip begins, too.
- Try taking short test drives with your pet to get him or her used to being in the car—it’ll make the long drive that much easier.
- Be sure to keep your pet well hydrated, especially when traveling in the heat of the summer. Use bottled water or tap water from your home, as unfamiliar water may give your pet a tummy upset—the last thing you want on the road.
- Never leave your animal in a parked car without air-conditioning, even with the windows open. Cars can turn into ovens in no time at all, and heatstroke can develop in the amount of time it takes you to run into a grocery store and come back.
- Feed your pet a light meal several hours before departing. Don’t feed him or her in a moving vehicle. If the pet is in good health, they should be able to wait until you stop for a break or the trip is over to eat.
- Microchip your pet and make sure his or her collar is up-to-date with your name and contact information.
- Make sure all your pet’s vaccines are up-to-date and documented by paperwork from your vet.
- Bring a traveling kit that includes travel papers, food, bowl, leash, a waste scoop, plastic bags, grooming supplies, medication and a pet first-aid kit, as well as any toys or “comfort objects” you think will help your pet feel at home while traveling.
- Don’t let pets travel with their heads outside the car window, as they may be hit by flying objects, especially on the highway. Make sure they’re secured in carriers or traveling harnesses.
If Traveling by Plane…
If you decide to fly, you may want to consult the FAA’s pet travel policy as well as checking with the airline you intend to use to find out what their requirements are. Typical restrictions for pets traveling in the cabin with you (i.e., being kept under the seat in front of you as opposed to in a separate part of the plane) include:
- A size and weight limit: the pet must fit comfortably in an airline-standard-sized carrier (small enough to fit under the seat), with room to turn around and stand up comfortably. Weight limit for an individual pet is typically around 20 lbs., including the pet’s carrier. If you’re traveling with puppies or kittens, many airlines will allow two animals per container if they are between eight weeks and six months old and their combined weight is less than 20 lbs. (carrier included). Some also require the animals to be from the same litter.
- An age limit: animals must be over eight weeks old and weaned for at least five days. Specific food and water requirements may obtain for animals under sixteen weeks of age.
- A per-person limit: most airlines allow one pet carrier to be brought on board in place of a carry-on item, which means one pet per person (or two pets under 20 lbs. or so).
- A traveling heath certificate issued by a veterinarian within 10 days of your departure date; the same certificate can be usually be used for your return trip. This certifies, among other things, that your pet is in good health and unlikely to be harmed by the stresses of traveling, and that he or she is up-to-date on rabies shots and other vaccinations. You may also want to keep the animal’s rabies certificate handy, as some airlines like to see both documents.
- An additional fee, usually around $75 – $120 per pet, depending on the airline. Not all airlines charge a fee for pets to travel in place of carry-on items, but most do.
If you can’t keep your pet or pets in the cabin with you, for whatever reasons (for example, you have more than one pet per traveler or the pet is too large to fit underneath the seat in front of you), airline requirements for pets traveling in the cargo hold are similar to those for pets traveling in the cabin. Typical requirements for pets in the cargo hold include:
- A standard-sized, hard-sided, FAA-approved pet carrier for your pet. Usually the airline will ask you what size your pet’s carrier is, ranging from extra-small (100-size, or 15” x 16” x 21”) to extra-large (500-size, or 30” x 27” x 40”); not all airlines accept all carrier sizes, so make sure they can accommodate your pet before you book your ticket.
- Food and water containers that hook to the inside of the carrier, but are accessible without needing to open the carrier door.
- A traveling health certificate issued by a veterinarian within 10 days of your departure date.
- An age limit identical to that used for pets traveling in the cabin (animals must be over eight weeks old and weaned for at least five days).
- A fee, which may be the same as or less than the fee for pets traveling in the cabin.
Many travelers are concerned that traveling in the cargo hold will be uncomfortable or frightening for their animals. Travelers should be aware that the cargo compartments where pets are kept are pressurized and climate-controlled, and that airlines do all they can to ensure that pets will be comfortable during flight. Despite those efforts, this may not be the best option for pets that are very young or very old, or that tend to be nervous when traveling.
Travelers should also be aware that pet embargoes may be in place, depending on the breed of your pet, the climate here in Houston and at your destination, and the time of day your flight arrives and departs. Many airlines will not accept pets arriving at or departing from Houston airports between noon and 8 pm June – September, and some will not transport pets to and from Houston during the summer months at all, due to the summer heat and the dangers it poses to your pets’ health. Be sure to check the airline’s policies before you book your ticket. Also, be aware that most airlines have a limit on the number of pets they can accept on any given flight, so it’s best to book your tickets and let them know you’re bringing pets along well before your intended departure date.
If you’re traveling to Hawaii or taking an international vacation, you should also look into quarantine requirements at your destination. Hawaii’s quarantine period is typically 120 days; other quarantine periods may be as long as six months. Check before you book your tickets to find out if it’s worth bringing your pet along.
If you’re looking for pet-friendly lodging arrangements at your destination, try searching for accommodations on sites like petswelcome.com or pettravel.com. Both provide in-site search engines to help you locate pet-friendly hotels in the area you’ll be visiting. In addition, many hotel chains like Best Western, La Quinta, and Red Roof Inn make a policy of welcoming pets at all or almost all their locations at no extra charge. Be sure to contact hotels ahead of time just to make sure that their pet policies haven’t changed.
Pets at Home
If all of that seems like too much hassle or you don’t want to subject your pet to the stresses of traveling, consider leaving your pet at home. If relatives or friends can’t look after the animal, you may want to look into getting a pet sitter. Sites like yelp.com provide listings of pet sitting services with reviews from other customers, and sites like petsittersnmore.com and houstonsbestpetsitters.com provide professional, bonded sitters for animals in the Houston area. You may also want to call your vet to see if she or he can offer kennel services while you’re out of town, or if there are kennels or pet sitters he or she recommends.
Whatever you decide, remember: the important thing is to make sure that all the members of your family have a safe, relaxed, and enjoyable experience while you’re on vacation.
