How to Travel with Animals? Proven Ways to Keep You and Your Pet Happy

Traveling with an animal means taking responsibility for its condition, leisure, and health. However, in reality, it can be a unique experience for you and your little friend. How to take into account the comfort of your pet to the maximum? How to travel with pets safely? Today's article will help you figure it out!

Essential Tips for Traveling with Pets

If this is your first trip together, you need to get acquainted with the basic rules and useful tips to help you out in any situation and prevent problems. We have highlighted several key ones:

• Make sure your pet is healthy. Visit a doctor for a general examination. This will help avoid critical conditions of the animal, and you will be able to get the missing certificates and vaccinations.
• Create a comfortable environment for your pet. Buy a safe carrier that fits your friend in size. You can put their favorite toys, snacks, or a blanket with a familiar smell in there.
• Plan stops. If you travel by land transport, try to get off at stops every 3–4 hours. A short walk, some fresh air, and changing the litter box will help your pet reset a bit, and it will be less stressed from the trip.

These tips will help you make the question of what to do with pets when traveling clearer for you. Don't forget to assess your pet's condition from time to time. Check how comfortable it feels, whether it drinks enough water, and whether it can sleep.

Preparing Your Pet for Travel

Your pet will feel better if you start preparing for the trip in advance. You can react faster in a stressful situation if you are ready for it. Keep this checklist to be prepared for any difficulties:

• Getting used to the carrier. Start putting your pet in the carrier a few days before the trip, gradually increasing the time inside. The animal will feel more comfortable because its scent is already there, and it knows it is safe.
• Training rides. Traveling by car? Take a few “test” rides. For example, try going to the store together or driving around the block to understand how pets should travel. Keep an eye on your pet now – what place it chooses, whether it gets motion sickness or looks out the window.
• Diet. Sickness and stress on long trips can be unexpected. Try not to feed your pet 3-4 hours before the trip to reduce the load on the digestive tract.
• Preparing a first aid kit. Even a healthy animal may need additional supplies in a critical situation. Take antiemetic, sedative sprays, antiseptics, antihistamines, and painkillers with you.
• Familiarization with routes. Traveling by car, train, or bus often involves stops. Study the route in advance to know when you will have time to go for a walk.

Unlike a person, an animal cannot share its experiences or problems with you, so it is important to notice them yourself and know what to do with a pet when traveling. If you see that your friend is uncomfortable or anxious, pick it up, give it water, and try to make it more cozy and calm.

Best Practices for Safe Pet Travel

Modern travel options allow you to take your pet with you on vacations, trips, and even circumnavigations. However, some situations can put your pet at risk. Here are some practices to help keep them safe:

• Never leave your pet unattended. This is especially true on buses and cars. The temperature of the cabin changes quickly, as do the smells. Always take your pet with you or ask someone to watch over it.
• Make sure it is safe. Does the carrier close securely? Is the seat belt fastened properly? These small gestures will keep your pet safe in an emergency and reduce the risk of injury.
• Buy a collar with a GPS tracker, or use beacons. Some people insert air tags inside the collar or simply write the owner's contact information so that someone can return the lost pet to you. In this case, leave several contacts.
• Air travel requirements. If you choose to travel by plane, contact the airlines in advance to find out which ones offer the best conditions for traveling with animals. Ideally, you can take your pet to the salon.

These tips will help you feel more confident and quickly navigate a critical situation. Remember that it is essential for you to remain calm in any case because you are responsible for your friend.

How to Travel With a Pet: Accommodating Their Needs 

Monitoring your pet's comfort and regularly satisfying its basic needs is essential when traveling. The temperature in the transport is the first thing you should pay attention to. If possible, ventilate the place where the animal sits and check on it more often.

Stressful situations worry your friend more than you. Some travelers use special calming mats that make quiet sounds or have a unique structure. Distracting from stress with your voice, stroking, or playing a little game makes sense, too.

Take care of hygiene. Take a portable tray with you if you are traveling with a cat and small plastic bags with a dog. In addition, buy wet towels, napkins, antiseptic, and diapers.

Travel Options: How Should Pets Travel?

The modern world has allowed us to adapt to the needs of our four-legged friends, even when traveling. You can choose the method of how to travel with animals, places, and convenience based on your preferences. Here is the best way to travel with a pet:

• By car. Here, you can give your friend maximum attention if you are not traveling alone. The main thing is to check on them regularly, make stops, and entertain them.
• By plane. Discuss the rules for transporting different breeds with a company. Usually, small breeds are allowed in the cabin, while large breeds fly in the luggage compartment.
• By train. Most countries allow you to import any pets if you have all the vaccinations and documents required by the state. However, you may be limited by the requirements for a cage or carrier.
• By ship. Cruise companies are less likely to accept animals than others. Depending on the length of the trip, it is better to change your decision if you cannot clarify this issue.

Even the best transportation conditions cannot completely relieve the pet's stress. However, if you are nearby, if the environment is calm and comfortable, and all physical needs are met, it will feel much easier for the pet.

What to Do with Your Pet When You Cannot Take Them Along

Leaving your pet at home is an unpleasant but sometimes the only right decision. If you can’t take your animal with you, you’ll want to ensure they’re safe and comfortable. Here are some options for where to put your little friend if you can’t take them with you:

• Pet hotels. The advantage of this option is that hotels also offer additional treatments, grooming, play, and socialization for the animal.
• Sitters. The comfort of your home will help your pet feel less stressed, which will help them survive your absence. Sitters usually stay in the owner’s home during the period they’re away, but you can also ask them to take your pet into their place.
• Pet care services. Hire a special company: they will check and feed your pet for as long as you agree. Their services are typically similar to those of a pet sitter.

The right option depends on your pet’s personality and habits and the length of your absence. Preparation and planning will help you and your pet feel comfortable even when separated.

Find Reliable Pet Care While Traveling with FlatRover

Traveling with pets isn't always possible, and many owners prefer to leave their pets with reliable people. But how can you find a great pet sitter and save money? FlatRover is the solution for you: we connect pet sitters and owners from different corners of the world to help each other. Here's how it works:

• Choose a sitter. We've developed a questionnaire system for candidates so you can learn more about them: experience with animals, place of work, social networks, and so on.
• Check its availability dates. The built-in calendar will show when you can use its services.
• Leave a review. Reviews and ratings will help our service work more accurately. Moreover, you will be able to leave your impressions for other owners.

We unite people with the same interests and love for animals, so that you can travel freely and try the experience of housing with animals. Register now to test all the features of FlatRover!

FAQ

What are the requirements for traveling with pets on airplanes?

It depends on the length of the flight, border crossings, and the policies of your airline. In general, you will be asked for health certificates, vaccinations, and a special carrier. You may also need to pay a tax. Ensure in advance that your pet's breed meets the requirements of the company and the country you are flying to.

How can I keep my pet calm during travel?

Comfort and safety are what your pet should experience during the flight. To do this, take their comfort toys that smell like home, take short walks around the plane's cabin, or warm up. You can also consult a veterinarian and take sedative sprays or tablets with you.

What are the best pet-friendly travel accommodations?

You can find a place to stay on Airbnb because there you can see if it is allowed to stay with pets. Many large hotels are also pet-friendly and provide a separate service for cats and dogs. A favorite pastime for dog lovers is visiting national parks and natural attractions, as most allow pets.

What should I pack for my pet when traveling?

Take water, some snacks, food, relevant documents, diapers, sedatives, and toys. If your pet needs additional medications, consult with the airline before taking them on board. Wet wipes, antiseptic, and towels will be great helpers.

How do I handle international travel with my pet?

Traveling abroad requires a responsible approach in advance. Prepare all the documents, find out about the requirements for entering the country, and choose an airline that is suitable for flying with animals. Remember that this is more stressful for the animal than for you, and you must bear full responsibility for this.