Traveling With Your Pets

As summer comes, most Americans embark on their annual travel routine to visit friends and family, and a lot of them will be bringing not just the kids but also their pets. It turns out that more than 70 percent of us go on vacation or travel with our pets on a regular basis. And while pet-friendly hotels and a wide range of supplies make traveling with pets easier, it still requires planning.

Should I Bring My Pet?
Remember that some pets are not too comfortable with traveling. So before you bring your 'best friend' with you, go through the following checklist first:

• Is it safe if I bring my pet with me?
This means you have to make the call if your pet is fit enough to travel.

• Does my pet like to travel?
If your dog runs and hides when you open the car door, consider hiring a pet sitter and leaving him at home.

• Will this trip be appropriate for my pet
For some destinations, you can tell right away that it's not good for your pets.

If, after answering these questions, you feel that the trip is in your pet's best interest, or if it is necessary because you are moving, taking the proper precautions can minimize the risk to your 'best friend'.

• Do Your Homework
If your pet's only experience in a car has been a trip to the vet, you will want to acclimate him to riding in the car a few weeks before your trip. Start with short trips, such as 5 or 10 minute drives. When you get home from these short trips, don't forget to give him a treat , then start lengthening the next trips.

• Safety on the Road
If you travel with your kids, you always fasten their seatbelts. Do the same for your pets. It's a must for you to restrain your pet as you travel. You do not need to always go with those metal travel crates, as there are other options nowadays that offer more comfort and mobility . Think safety harnesses that can attach to any seatbelt, or even safety gates that will allow your pet some mobility in their own space, as you travel. Sturdy, well ventilated crates are a must for smaller animals, such as cats, that normally don't travel as much as dogs.

If you roll using one of those big RV's, you do have more freedom and flexibility, but you still need to be aware of the basics. Make sure all items, such as food or medicine, are properly stowed and secured inside your RV. To avoid injury to loose animals during sudden stops and turns, block off small areas with baby gates. No matter what type of vehicle you drive, you will need to stop every few hours for a pet pit stop. Also make sure your pets have their leash as you open your vehicle's doors when you go for these pit stops.

• Travel Kit
Don't forget to pack a separate bag for your animal. To avoid an upset stomach, take some of his favorite food, as well as a gallon of water because water characteristics change regionally. Cats can generally travel up to 10 hours without having to use a litterbox, but it never hurts to bring along a disposable litterbox for emergencies or overnight stops. You will also need to bring a pet first-aid kit and some extra towels, in case of accidents. And a favorite toy or pillow will give your animal a sense of familiarity. Keep a current health certificate for your pet handy during interstate travel, because many states require one.

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Lakshmi is a student who has gotten into IM to make a little money, promoting a varied collection of sites, such as providing info on both the dolphin pool cleaner and the hayward pool cleaner.

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