Many pets, especially dogs, enjoy traveling and would much rather go along for the ride than be separated from you while you are away, but some animals don’t handle pet travel due to health issues, temperament, or their reaction to the stress that accompanies changes in their routine.
How to Decide if Pet Travel Works for Your Pet
Here are a few rules of thumb regarding pet travel, to help you decide whether your pet should join you on your trip, and what to do if your pet stays behind:
- Consider the type of travel you have planned, and whether your pet can really participate. Dogs may love camping and hiking, but your cat probably won’t. Cats may be perfectly happy curled up in a corner of your RV, but the same quarters may be confining and potentially dangerous for a large dog. Think about what your pet needs to be happy, healthy and safe while traveling, and whether you will be able to create that pet travel environment throughout your trip.
- Before you travel somewhere, be sure there are no pet restrictions where you’re going. Most countries impose strict pet quarantines of several months, so unless you plan a very extended stay, international pet travel is not realistic in most cases.
For pet travel within the United States, most people don’t realize that the rules vary from state to state. North Carolina has restrictions on pets in hotels and other accommodations, for example, and Hawaii requires pet quarantines of 30-120 days on all carnivorous animals to help prevent the spread of rabies.
- Pets that are sick, injured, or pregnant are not good candidates for pet travel. It’s not fair to the animal, and your vacation is likely to be less than relaxing if you spend every day caring for an animal that could get better care at home.
- If your pet bites, barks, yowls or whines excessively, or is unable to follow basic obedience commands, he or she should stay at home. It is unfair to subject other travelers to such behavior.
If You Decide to Leave Your Pet at Home
If you decide that pet travel is not a good idea for your companion, be sure to leave your animal friend in good hands while you are away. Choose a safe environment with someone you trust:
- Family members, friends and neighbors who are willing make good pet sitters, because they know your pet and can often care for them in familiar surroundings, which creates less stress for your pet.
- Professional pet sitters are another good option. Most offer services ranging from daily feeding, walking and play time to full-time house sitting and pet care in your home. When choosing a pet sitter, be sure to interview more than one potential sitter and check their references before hiring them to care for your pet. For more information about pet sitters, check with the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters or Pet Sitters International.
- Another option is to board your pet with a professional kennel or veterinary clinic. Generally, the level of human interaction for your pet is less at a kennel or vet clinic than with a professional pet sitter or someone you know, but for animals that need medical care a veterinary clinic may be the best alternative. For a list of kennels in your area, check with your veterinarian or contact the American Boarding Kennels Association.
If you are still unsure if pet travel is a reasonable option for your companion, ask your veterinarian for advice.
