Buckle up! Prepare your furry friend for riding, flying, boating or boarding

Here’s advice on preparing your fur baby for vacations and travel in cars, planes, and boats, along with advice from vets, pet owners, and more. Knowing how to travel with your pet is essential — there are many rules to follow! And if your pet can’t join your trip, you may have questions about boarding your pet.

If you plan to bring your pet along, you’ll want to be aware of any flying guidelines and make sure your pet is comfortable, whether you’re traveling a couple of hours away or across the country.

No matter how much you love your pet, you want to know whether they’re ready for travel. Consider their comfort levels along the way. 

Older pets unused to travel, loud, excitable pets (like my young dog), or pets with a history of aggression or anxiety may not be the best companions. Does your pet become aggressive or anxious in a carrier? If they’re sick, will they need quick, easy, and frequent access to grass or other spaces to use the bathroom?

For U.S. travelers, moving from point A to point B may involve a car or plane. Other less-chosen travel methods include buses, trains, or boats. Regardless of the vehicle, talk to your vet beforehand because your pet may need an interstate health certificate to travel. Your vet can also offer recommendations to make your pet comfortable.

If you’re flying out of the country, your pet will likely need an international health certificate, more vaccines, deworming, and/or vaccine titers, depending on where you’re going.

👉 It’s crucial to talk to your local vet as soon as you know your travel dates, as some requirements need completion at certain time intervals.

It may also take a while to complete all the necessary paperwork. Before you hit the road (or water or skies), you may also microchip your pet if it escapes its carrier.

Car.  Some dogs enjoy a road trip, though you’ll want to prepare them for longer trips. Bring your pet crate, leash, food, water, and identification. Traveling on an empty stomach can help prevent car sickness, and make sure to stop often for potty and exercise breaks. Most importantly, if you stop for gas or go into a rest stop – and we all know this, but just in case – don’t leave your dog alone in a closed car – in fact, leave a responsible, adult human in the car with the dog.

Plane. Flying with pets is more common these days. Many airports have pet relief stations, so your pet can use the bathroom before catching their flight. You’ll need to check with your airline about pet requirements. You may travel with smaller pets in a carrier in the main cabin. Pets in carriers can also go into the heated and ventilated cargo hold.

👉 The U.S. Pet Travel website offers more information on traveling by plane with pets depending on location.

Bus. Some bus lines will allow small pets and/or pets in carriers. Buses may require pets to be up-to-date on vaccinations, particularly rabies vaccines. Be sure to contact the bus line in advance to make sure your pet can be accommodated.

Train. Some trains, like Amtrak, do allow small pets up to 20 pounds to ride along with you. There may be a limit on the length of the ride. For example, pets can ride on some Amtrak trains for routes 7 hours or less. Note that there may be strict requirements for bringing a pet on a train⁵. This may include keeping your pet stowed in a carrier.

A boat. If you’re traveling by boat, like on a cruise, you may need specific documentation. You can inquire about the requirements for pets with the cruise or boat company. Also, come prepared with a life vest for your furry friend if the boat won’t have one available. 

Depending on the length of your trip, some travel methods make way more sense than others. For a cross-country trip, you may choose to fly. In that case, you’d want to make sure to pick flights with minimal layovers. For a short trip, a car is often your best bet.

Driving in the car

Ready for a road trip? Fortunately, your pet may already be familiar with riding in a car. It’s also easy to acclimate them to this type of travel. But there are some downsides.

Pros

• If you often load up Fido to hit the dog park or go visit friends, your pup might already be familiar with the car. This can be more comfortable for pets compared to other modes of transportation.
• You’re in control of the car, so you can stop as often as you need for potty breaks.
• Taking a car is usually best for pets of all sizes, while there may be weight restrictions for public transportation.

Cons

• You may need to buy extra safety equipment, like doggy seat belts or harnesses to secure their crate in place. This simple seat belt from Active Pets can be used with your dog’s harness. It simply snaps into your car’s seat belt holder.
• Cars are one of the least safe methods of transportation for both humans and pets due to the high risk of collisions.

Special considerations

• Never leave a pet unattended in a closed vehicle.
• Don’t let your dog hang their head out the window. Yes, they might look happy with the wind in their face, but this could result in serious eye injuries should something fly into their face.
• Besides your pet’s regular food, water, and medications, you should also pack proof of vaccinations and other health documentation. These papers may be required if you are traveling from state to state.
• Keep pets in the back seat, and don’t let them roam the car freely when it is in motion.

Flying on a plane

Pets fly on planes every day. But this experience can be nerve-wracking for your furry friends. Traveling by plane means you should think a lot about your pet’s comfort. For example, you may want to arrive at night at a hot location. Keep layovers to a minimum.

Pros

• Flying may be the quickest option for longer routes.

Cons

• Flying with a pet is expensive. Major airlines charge an average of $125 to bring a pet, but it could be higher depending on your destination.
• You’ll need to follow strict policies, including pet carrier size limits and health checks.
• Flying is risky for brachycephalic dog breeds, like pugs or bulldogs. It’s also more dangerous for overweight pets or pets with existing health conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes.
• There are usually limits for the number of pets that can board each flight.

Special considerations

• You’ll need to take your pet to the vet for a health checkup, usually within 10 days of your trip². Check with your vet as soon as you know your travel dates. Some countries have several travel requirements for pets that have time restrictions.
• Airlines may have stipulations on the types of carriers and where pets can board. Sometimes, your pet may not be allowed in the cabin with you. Make sure you purchase a USDA-approved shipping crate.
• Label your pet’s crate with your name, cell phone, and destination phone number.

Taking a train

Like buses, trains often don’t allow pets. Some major train companies, like Amtrak, do have recent updates to their animal policies. For example, Amtrak does allow small pets up to 20 pounds on some of its trains.

Pros

• Bringing a pet on a train is usually cheaper than flying. Pets can travel for just $26 on Amtrak.

Cons

• Many trains only allow service animals.
• There may be a weight limit.
• There may be a limit on the length of the trip. For example, Amtrak only allows pets on routes that are 7 hours or less.

Special considerations

• Check with the train company about pet requirements. You may need to prove your pet’s clean bill of health and bring along medical records or vaccination status.
• Pets often must remain inside a carrier under your seat on trains.

Sailing on a boat 

Whether you plan to catch the ferry, ride in a sailboat,  or take a cruise, it’s best to keep your pet with a friend or board them at a kennel. If you do decide to bring your pet along, consider these important pros, cons, and special requirements.

Pros

• Boating may be positively stimulating for your pet.

Cons

• Bathroom breaks can be more challenging for dogs and cats on a boat.
• Pets may become motion sick on a boat.
• Because you need to keep your pet restrained (either in a carrier or on a leash) while boating, they won’t get much exercise for longer excursions.
• Boats will only stop when they reach the next destination, again making bathroom breaks and exercise tricky.

Special considerations

• You’ll need an International Certificate of Veterinary Inspection if you are traveling to other countries, like on a cruise.
• Bring a life jacket for your pet.
• You’ll need to keep your pet in a carrier,  on a leash, or confined to your cabin to prevent them from falling overboard.
• All that sun and sea means you’ll need to consult your vet for a pet-safe sunscreen option to protect your furry friend’s skin.

By Paige Bennett. Reprinted from betterpet.com