Between packing and preparing for travel, getting ready for a vacation can be stressful for anyone, but it can be even more stressful for your pet. If you’re planning on taking man’s best friend along for the ride on your summer vacation it’s important to keep a few simple tips in mind.
"I would check with your veterinarian to make sure your pets is healthy enough for travel,” says veterinarian Dr. Anna Maria Tadlock.
Once you get the all clear and it’s time to hit the road, there are a few more things to keep in mind for car travel.
"One thing that’s very important is make sure that your pet is in a secured area in the cab of a car,” Dr. Tadlock says. “We see a lot of injuries when dogs fall out of the back of a pickup truck, or fall out of car windows that are too far open."
Dr. Tadlock says a good crate or even a pet seatbelt is helpful to make sure pets don’t get hurt or cause you to get hurt. She also suggests practicing, take your pets on a few short trips to get them used to the car and give them plenty of treats.
Once you’re on the road?
"I would say stopping every couple hours to give them a little bit of a break, give them a little bit of water, checking on them making sure they are doing ok," says Dr. Tadlock.
If driving with your pooch isn’t your cup of tea maybe you’ll take to the friendly skies this summer.
"If you are going to be on an airline, make sure you have an airline approved carrier, make sure it has your identification on it, it’s well ventilated and an appropriate size for your pets," says Dr. Tadlock.
"We highly encourage you to check with the airline you are flying,” says Boise Airport spokesman Sean Briggs. “There are a variety of different restrictions on each airline based on the animal’s size, breed, final destination and various other factors."
No matter how you get to your destination there are a few extra things to keep on hand for your trip.
“A good number to have while you are traveling would be your veterinarian's phone number as well as any vet in the area that you are going to,” says Dr. Tadlock. “If there is a 24-hour emergency hospital, just so you have it on hand in case that you need it.”
