Planning and preparation are important when traveling with family pets. There are dogs and cats that do not enjoy traveling as much as their owners. My own animals enjoy coming to “camp” at Whiskers and Paws Pet Resort at Murphy Road Animal Hospital when I travel.
Be considerate of your hosts by asking them in advance if your pet is welcome. Always check with hotels, motels, and campgrounds before arriving. Many places charge an additional fee or ask you to stay in a smoking room when pets are guests. If your pet must be left alone in a hotel room, place a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door and consider keeping your pet in a crate in hotel rooms. Friends and family members may also appreciate a crate if they are not comfortable allowing your pet to roam freely when no one is home.
Traveling by air can be full of concerns. Most airlines that will transport pets require a health certificate issued by a veterinarian within 10 days prior to travel. Let the airline know you are traveling with a pet when making your reservations. When possible, book a nonstop flight for your travel. During our hot Texas summers, the airlines will restrict the times of day on which pets may fly to prevent exposure to extreme temperatures. Check your flight arrangements the day before you leave to be sure there have been no unexpected flight changes. Arrive at the airport early, exercise your pet, personally place it in its crate, and pick up the animal promptly upon arrival at your destination. When boarding the plane, let the flight attendant know that your pet is in the cargo hold. If your pet will be traveling with you in the cabin, arrange to check–in as late as possible to reduce the amount of time your pet will have to spend in the busy terminal.
At the airport, you may be asked to remove your pet from the carrier so the carrier can be put through an x-ray scanner. To prevent chasing a loose pet through the airport, put a halter or collar and leash on your pet before you put it in the carrier.
Lastly, we do not recommend giving tranquilizers to your pet when traveling by air because they can increase the risk of heart or respiratory problems.
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