Are you planning on traveling with pets this summer? Make sure you’re prepared with our travel essentials checklist! Vacations with pets can be fun, but you need to be prepared for the unexpected, including traffic jams, medical emergencies, and inclement weather. Fortunately, we’ve put together a handy checklist and list of tips to make your summer vacation with Fluffy a breeze!
Travel Essentials Checklist:
- Food and water dishes
- Extra food
- LOTS of water, especially when traveling in the summer
- Interactive toys (tennis balls, food dispensers, frisbees, etc.)
- Chew toys or treats (KONGs, natural bones, Nylabone chews)
- Crate, carrier, or cage
- Harness, collar, and leash- plus an extra leash is recommended
- ID tags, including rabies vaccination tags
- Blankets and towels
- Plastic bags- dog waste bags are inexpensive and readily available at Target
- Grooming supplies- brush, nail clippers, shampoo, etc. Just in case Fido rolls into something gross!
- Medications or supplements
- First Aid Kit
- Medical records
- Certifications or paperwork, such as ESA, Therapy, etc.
All the products you need for your pet, at unbeatable prices, can be found here!
Tips for Traveling With Pets:
If you want to take your pet on vacation, take them somewhere they will actually enjoy. Camping trips, the beach, lakehouse, or a pet-friendly city are great travel destinations. Fido probably won’t enjoy Disneyland or Times Square as much as you will.
Road trips are definitely preferable for pets. Flying with animals is scary, unless they can be in the cabin with you. Besides, the odds are good that your dog is already used to the car, so a road trip probably won’t phase or distress him at all.
If you’re planning to travel with your cat, take him on a series of short car rides before embarking on your journey. This will help him get used to the car. When traveling with cats, always keep him secured in his carrier or on a leash while in the car.
Use a crate, pet barrier, or harness seat clip to keep your dog secure during travel. As much as dogs love to stick their heads out the car window, they can be injured by flying rocks and debris, and are more likely to be injured in an accident if not restrained.
Make sure to stop every 2-3 hours for bathroom breaks for your pet. Most rest stops have designated pet areas where Rover can go to relieve himself and sniff some exciting new smells. You can also offer your pet some water when you stop.
Always bring extra food and water. You never know when you may face delays, so be sure to take a few extra days ’supply of food.
Research your destination ahead of time to ensure that your hotel or camping accommodations are pet-friendly. Note any fees or documentation your accommodations may require for pets, as well as their pet policies.
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