Planning for a vacation for yourself and your family can be a daunting task. Adding pets into the mix can make it even more challenging, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible to accomplish. In fact, sometimes, taking your furry or feathered friends on the trip is the best or only option. A bit of preparation is key to successfully traveling with pets. Here are some steps to consider before em”bark”ing on your journey.
Plan Ahead
The first thing you want to think about is how you plan to get from here to there. For instance, if you’re traveling by plane, the airline may have certain parameters to follow in order to bring your pet. So, it’s a good idea to contact the company to see what is required. Suppose you want to take your family to a different country — that takes even more research. Gathering all the information and making a list beforehand will give you a guideline of everything you need to do to bring your pet with you on vacation.
Planning ahead will generally start with a trip to the vet. You want to make sure your animal is up to date on all their shots, is healthy, and perhaps microchipped in case they escape on your travels. While there, talk to the vet about the best ways to reduce stress for your pet, especially if this is their first time traveling. If they have meds or supplements they take on a regular basis like CBD hip and joint soft chews for dogs, make sure you plan ahead for those as well. You’ll want to make sure you have enough to get you through your trip.
Choosing a place to stay will also take some work on your part. Whether you’re using a service like Airbnb and VRBO or sleeping in a hotel, you need to find out if they accept pets. Many times there are extra fees to bring your animal, and there are likely limitations on what type of pets you can bring, how many, and their size. Be sure to follow the rules, too, because the last thing you want is to be kicked out of your temporary abode with nowhere to stay in the middle of your vacay.
Point A to Point B
No matter how you choose to arrive at your destination, your pet will need some comfort and a distraction. Consider packing your pet’s favorite toy so they are occupied on long car rides or flights. In addition, be sure to bring treats for rewards and comfort.
Also, how are they traveling, specifically? You might need a container if you’re using an airline, but you need to think about how your pet will travel in a car as well. You likely don’t want them to have full access to the vehicle while driving long distances because that can be dangerous for them and for you. Perhaps talk to your vet about the best crate or containment system for your type of animal.
If you’re driving to your destination, plan to stop frequently. Map out some good places to let your animal stretch their legs and relieve themselves along your route. Sometimes you may have to stop in an emergency, but having areas in mind before embarking on your journey might make the trip just a bit more smooth overall.
Enjoy Your Time
No matter how or where you plan to go on vacation, the point is you want to enjoy time with your family and your pet. It may seem overwhelming to include your animals in your travel plans, but the truth is, there are only a few extra steps to ensure everyone has a good vacation.
Have you ever taken your pet on a trip? Do you have any tips to share? Drop them in the comments.
0 Comments