Everything You Need to Know About Traveling with Your Pet

Everything You Need to Know About Traveling with Your Pet 

There is nothing better than going on for a vacation. It becomes more joyful if you bring your pet alongside with you also. What could be better than going on vacation? Bring your baby in fur for fun, of course. But before planning your trip with your pet, keep in mind that having an animal by your side can complicate matters. Here’s what you need to know about traveling with pets.

Take your pet on a trip.

It would be best if you made your pet habitual for the road trip, and it is better to take your pet on short car trips to assess how well they drive the car. If they better get used to the car, take them frequently for short distances.

Once you are on the road, it is essential to take breaks. You should always wear a harness and strap before exiting the car for safety reasons. Put a litter box on the floor behind the seats instead of risking getting them out of the car if you travel with a cat.

Always keep windows and sunroof closed when traveling with animals to prevent them from escaping. There is a need for pet seat belts in their vehicles, as some states require pet owners to keep their pets safe in vehicles.

Room with your pet in a hotel

If you are staying at a hotel with your pet, it is essential to book with a pet-friendly hotel that is also affordable. Not all hotels accept pets and those that generally charge extra per night and pet. These charges will depend on the particular hotel.

Even if your hotel accepts pets, pets will not run like they would at home. Understand and follow the rules for pets at your hotel. Pets are often not allowed to be left unattended in the room or must be packed if so.

Keep your pet calm and safe while traveling.

Whichever method you use to travel, you can take a few safety precautions to make sure your pet is always safe.

You should also identify the closest emergency veterinary clinics to your hotel if there is a medical problem that you cannot handle by yourself. You can also contact the hotel concierge for recommendations about identifying a clinic.

To keep your pet relatively calm, there are a few things you can try. Items like a favourite blanket or t-shirt you recently wore can ease travel stress by bringing the scent home for the trip. However, please note that you should only bring these items in the car; Toys, blankets, and other items in your pet’s baby carrier can pose a safety risk during air travel. Heavy jackets provide comfort, like wrapping a baby in blankets. You can also divert the attention of your pet and keep them calm by giving delicious pet treats during the trip. Treats that have health benefits and also suit the palate of your pet are guaranteed to keep him happily busy for some time.

How to prepare your pet for the trip

You need to check in advance for the immigration rules for the countries you are traveling to. If you want to know about the immigration of pets, you can easily find it on Google.

Traveling with a pet by plane

Please note that the Transportation Control Administration has special pet control rules when you arrive at the airport. You will have to remove them from their support just before starting the control process and take them with you,

Dog friendly places in San Francisco

In a city that ranks in the top 10 for ‘outdoor pet friendliness,’ you should have no problem finding things to do and places to stay with your pet. Here are some of them. 

If you like your dog to be off-leash, head to this park close to Mission District. Dolores Park is great for pets and their owners. Picnics happen in the main space of the park regularly too. If you’re looking for some more exercise, get to Skyline Boulevard and enjoy a whole day of exploration at Fort Funston. There are beach spaces and nature trails to explore here. By far the most popular park in the city is the Golden Gate Park. It is also the biggest pet-friendly park here. Sit on a bench and watch life pass by, or get up and play a game with your pet in any of the four off leash areas the park has. If your dog loves the water (and which dog does not) go to Crissy Field. This is an off-leash beach and your four-legged friend can have a wonderful time chasing the waves here. 

If your young dog and you have a lot of energy to burn, you should certainly head to the many hiking parks in San Francisco. For example, the Mount Sutro Open Space Reserve. Put your dog on a leash for this hike and explore to your heart’s content. Many birds call this space home, making their dwellings in a forest that’s over a century old. You may be able to spot some wildlife too. The Bernal Heights Park is another joyful space that is known for its spectacular views. Take a picture of your dog against the San Francisco Bay or the Golden Gate and make a great memory. A very popular hike with the locals is Grandview Park. There are wooden stairs here and the trail is soft and sandy, so watch out for that. The trails are small, and the plants along the dunes are a pleasure to see. Another park that’s talked about often is Lands End Trail. Check that out for some spectacular coastline and gorgeous flowers. San Francisco also has a host of bars and restaurants that welcome dogs and their people. 

The city also has a host of hotels that are happy to accept your dogs. Close to Crissy Field is the Inn at the Presidio. This hotel is a bread and breakfast and has a bowling alley to book, too. The architecture is simple and the property has some lovely eucalyptus groves to meander through. The Inn is happy to host your pet for a fee. On Post Street, look for Hotel Adagio. It takes its dog-friendly tag seriously and offers the visitor rooms on pet-specific floors. What’s more, bowls for food and water and doggie treats are also part of the service. Check with the hotel for the closest dog park or store and you’ll get good directions. Other choices are the Argonaut Hotel, Hotel Emblem, Kimpton Buchanan and Triton, among many others. Do check the hotel policy (fee, size of dog, on leash, etc.) and then plan your stay. Additionally you can also check the Top 15 pet-friendly hotels in San Francisco by clicking the link.

Flying With Your Dog In-Cabin: What You Need to Know

Have you ever thought about how to fly in-cabin hassle-free with your dog? Truth be told, “hassle-free” might just be too much to ask if you’re flying with your pet. No matter how much you prepare, there might be some sort of snafu just waiting to happen while you’re in an airplane thousands of miles up in the air! It can be a barking spell, a poop emergency, or a dog-hating individual who just has to complain about something even though your dog is not bothering anyone.

While the possibility of hassles is always there, there are actually many things that you can do to make the flight as comfortable as possible for your pet. In this article, we’ll provide you with a few tips on who to fly in-cabin with your dog.

A Note on Plane Travel with Pet Dogs

Before deciding to bring your dog along for air travel, make sure to ask yourself first whether it’s worth the trouble, or more importantly, the risk. Take note that while some airline companies are more than happy to welcome small dogs in the cabin as long as they are inside a carrier, many others require all pets to be transported as cargo.

Extreme heat and cold are the most significant risks to dogs when they are placed in a plane’s cargo area, although underlying medical conditions can also considerably increase the risk for many other dogs. Snub-nosed or brachycephalic dogs such as pugs, bulldogs, boxers, and chow chows are also at an increased risk for respiratory stress because their physiology impairs their capacity to breath, especially under extreme temperatures or when they are stressed out.

In the 1990s, some 5000 animals were lost, injured, or killed on commercial flights annually according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which is why they advocated the passage of the Safe Air Transport for Animals Act. Given the possibilities, if traveling with your pet is not of absolute necessity, you’d be well advised to leave them at home in the care of your friends or family. Otherwise, make sure to talk to your veterinarian in advance so you can discuss the best way to transport your dog.

Traveling with Your Dog In-Cabin

Thankfully, there are airliners that allow smaller dogs to be carried in the cabin, where they can be more comfortable and near their owners. However, certain rules are typically specified by individual airline companies. You will want to make sure that you have an appropriate carrier for your dog. For example, American Airlines requires the dog and the carrier to weigh just 20 pounds (9 Kg) combined, and the carrier itself must fit underneath the seat in front of the passenger. Other airline companies will have their own rules, so make sure to check in advance what these rules are. For example, many airliners will not allow very young puppies or snub-nosed dogs to fly. The fees also vary from airline to airline.

Make sure to make arrangements with the airline company months in advance because they typically only allow a limited number of dogs onboard. This also allows them to make preparations in the event that another passenger informs them that they have pet allergies.

See to It That Your Dog Has the Right Attitude for Flying

Some dogs are naturally quiet and chill, while others are temperamental and easily stressed, especially when kept in cramped or uncomfortable situations. If your dog is the latter, do yourself and your pet a favor, and don’t force them to fly! Check your dog in a pet hotel, or better yet, have a friend take care of them instead. If you would really love to go on a vacation with your dog, consider going on a road trip instead.

Make Sure That Your Dog Has the Necessary Documents to Fly

Again, consult your veterinarian and the airline company in advance so you’ll be able to get your dog’s papers in order before the flight. One requirement that may be asked of you is updated vaccination for your pet with accompanying documents to prove it.

Choose a Comfortable Carrier for Your Pet

The carrier will be your dog’s personal “seat” in the aircraft, and given the size requirements, it might not exactly be the most comfortable place for your pet to be stowed in for many hours. Nevertheless, you can make the journey cozier for your dog by choosing a high-quality carrier that is just the right size for your pet but will still fit underneath the seat in front of you. One thing to remember, though, is that the carrier will become your carry-on baggage, so all other bags aside from your small personal item will have to be checked in.

 

Make sure to introduce your pet to their carrier weeks or maybe even months before the flight. Make the lodging experience as positive as possible by placing treats and some of their toys inside. You can also practice going on trips by placing your dog in the carrier and taking them out for a ride in your car.

 

Pack Right for the Flight

 

Once you have acquired your dog’s papers and have chosen an appropriate carrier for your dog, it’s time to start getting packed! First up, make sure to line your dog’s carrier with an absorbent lining pad, so just in case your pet needs to urinate, they won’t get wet. An absorbent lining pad typically has adhesive strips that keeps it in place and prevents it from bunching up. It also contains absorbent polymers deep inside, allowing any liquid to become absorbed and trapped within seconds.

 

Aside from an absorbent lining pad, other important things to bring along are wet wipes, poop bags, a dog collar and a leash, a small food and water bowl, treats, dog food (for emergency flight disruptions), a water bottle that you can fill up at the boarding gate, and something familiar from home, like your dog’s favorite toy.

 

Flying with your dog in-cabin can be a lot more comfortable for you and your pet if you prepare well for your flight. It is important to consult your veterinarian to rule out any underlying medical condition that could make flying unsafe for your pet. Likewise, you should also communicate with your chosen airline company in advance to make sure everything is in order and arrangements are made to accommodate you and your pet according to your expectations.