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Traveling is common during the winter holidays, but it can be more difficult to do if you're taking your dog with you. Luckily, it's not impossible, though. Use these holiday travel tips to help you and your pet arrive at your loved one's homes safe and sound.
Always Ask if Places Are Pet-Friendly
Whether you're stopping for lunch before you head to the airport or you're road-tripping across the country this holiday season, it's important to know whether your dog will be allowed inside restaurants, hotels, or other establishments with you. While some places claim to be pet-friendly on their websites, you'll find in person that only some locations are. Other times, an outdated website will say "no pets" when the reality is that the establishment is now dog-friendly. Calling ahead can save you a lot of time and frustration during your travels. Of course, if you do take your dog inside somewhere with you, ensure he has a strong harness, such as the Switchbak Dog Harness by Ruffwear and collar that will help you stay in control of him.
Microchip Your Pet and Get Him New Tags
No matter how well you prepare for traveling via air or land with your pet, things can go wrong. Before you set off on your holiday adventures, make sure your pet has an up-to-date microchip as well as updated tags. Take your dog to the vet for microchipping if he doesn't already have one. The microchip is a small implantable device that can be scanned to find a lost dog's owner's name, address, and phone number. If your dog already has a microchip, be sure the information is up to date before you start traveling. In addition to the microchip, your pet should have a good identification tag that provides his name, your phone number, and any other important information, such as whether your pet needs medications. Tags are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes to suit your style and your pet's needs. For example, if you love things that are cute and feminine, the Heart Large Engravable Pet I.D. Tag in Pink Hearts Epoxy is cute and functional.
Get Your Dog Ready for the Road
If you will be traveling by car this holiday season, you need to be sure your dog is ready for the road and in more ways than one. First, start with his gear. It's important to keep your pooch safe while you're driving. If your dog is small enough, you can purchase a booster seat that keeps him in one place and safe during the ride. Try the PetSafe Happy Ride Dog Booster Seat. For a larger dog, you may need to pare it down to a Seatbelt Strap Dog Car Leash by Doggie Design. This buckles directly into the car seat's buckle and keeps your dog in a safe space during the ride. Remember to pack a jacket, blanket, pet waste bags, and a travel water bowl in case you are on the road longer than expected. Once you have all your gear, it's important to ensure your dog is ready for a long road trip. If your dog hasn't been on a long car trip before, spend a few weeks beforehand taking trips with him to show him that being in the car is okay. Start with short trips to the dog park, working your way to longer trips, such as running errands together or taking a short weekend visit to another town. Gradually building his tolerance makes for a safer and happier holiday trip.
Make Sure Your Pet Is Ready for Air Travel
You can't just pop your dog in his crate and head to the airport with him, especially if you want your air travel to go smoothly. There are several things that you must consider first. Start with whether you'll be taking your pet as cargo or a carry-on. Rules vary between airlines, but typically, your dog can only fly as a carry-on if he is small enough to fit in a carrier that goes under your seat on the plane. Consider something like the Rodeo Signature Quilted Dog Travel Carrier, especially if you want something that is stylish as the rest of your luggage. If your dog is any larger, or if he or she doesn't have good manners, you'll need to put him in the cargo with the rest of the luggage during your trip. Keep in mind that you'll need to pay for your pet to fly with you either way and if he is in the cargo hold, you'll need a bigger, more protective travel crate for him. Regardless of which type of crate you need, you'll need to pack it appropriately. In addition to durability and good ventilation, it needs a leak-proof bottom, strong handles, and the ability for you to label it with up-pointing arrows, a "live animal" tag, and your contact information.
Finally, ensure your pet has all of his vaccines up to date, including any special ones he may need if you are traveling to Hawaii or out of the country. Even if your dog doesn't need any vaccinations, you'll want to take him for a check-up. You must have a health certificate, often no older than 10 days, that lets the airline know your pet is up-to-date on shots and has a clean bill of health. Above all else, remember to think of your dog as an individual. If he isn't a good traveler, keep him at home with a loved family member or friend. You know your dog better than anybody else. Taking his needs into mind ensures happy holidays for all involved.
