Planning and preparation are important when traveling with pets. Key steps include ensuring all vaccinations are up-to-date, getting a veterinary health certificate if traveling by air within 10 days, and acclimating pets to any crates or carriers needed for the mode of transportation. When traveling by air, consider the pet's breed, age, and temperament to determine if they can withstand the stresses of flight. Nonstop flights are preferable to avoid connections. For car trips, ensure pets are comfortable riding in vehicles before long drives and give them short practice rides in advance.
Planning and preparation are important when traveling with pets. Key steps include ensuring all vaccinations are up-to-date, getting a veterinary health certificate if traveling by air within 10 days, and acclimating pets to any crates or carriers needed for the mode of transportation. When traveling by air, consider the pet's breed, age, and temperament to determine if they can withstand the stresses of flight. Nonstop flights are preferable to avoid connections. For car trips, ensure pets are comfortable riding in vehicles before long drives and give them short practice rides in advance.
Planning and preparation are important when traveling with pets. Key steps include ensuring all vaccinations are up-to-date, getting a veterinary health certificate if traveling by air within 10 days, and acclimating pets to any crates or carriers needed for the mode of transportation. When traveling by air, consider the pet's breed, age, and temperament to determine if they can withstand the stresses of flight. Nonstop flights are preferable to avoid connections. For car trips, ensure pets are comfortable riding in vehicles before long drives and give them short practice rides in advance.
Planning and preparation are important when traveling with pets. Key steps include ensuring all vaccinations are up-to-date, getting a veterinary health certificate if traveling by air within 10 days, and acclimating pets to any crates or carriers needed for the mode of transportation. When traveling by air, consider the pet's breed, age, and temperament to determine if they can withstand the stresses of flight. Nonstop flights are preferable to avoid connections. For car trips, ensure pets are comfortable riding in vehicles before long drives and give them short practice rides in advance.
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Planning and Preparation your veterinarian to ensure that all required vaccinations
are up-to-date and to receive a certificate of veterinary
allowing exposures to temperatures above 85 degrees F for more than 45 minutes. Take time to accustom your pet to the crate in which it will be traveling. At the airport, you may be asked to Planning and preparation are important when inspection within ten days prior to travel by air. remove your pet from the carrier so the carrier can be traveling with family pets. There are dogs and cats Reconfirm your flight arrangements the day before you put through an x-ray scanner. To minimize the chance leave to ensure there have been no unexpected flight that you will have to chase a loose pet through the airport, that cannot withstand the rigors of any type of travel due to illness, injury, or temperament. If this Travel By Air changes. Arrive at the airport early, exercise your pet, personally place it in its crate, and pick up the animal put a halter or collar and leash on your pet before you put it in the carrier. is the case, discuss with your veterinarian options Transporting pets by air concerns pet owners the most. such as hiring a reliable pet-sitter or housing your promptly upon arrival at your destination. When boarding Certain breeds such as brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs Ask your veterinarian for specific feeding instructions. pet in a clean, well-managed boarding facility. the plane, let the flight attendant know that your pet is and cats may have difficulty with air travel. Federal For your pet’s comfort, air travel on an almost empty in the cargo hold. If your pet will be traveling with you regulations require that pets be at least 8 weeks old and stomach is usually recommended. The age and size of For car travel, consider whether or not your pet in the cabin, arrange to check-in as late as possible to weaned at least 5 days before flying. Most airlines that your pet, time and distance of the flight, and your pet’s is comfortable in the vehicle before committing reduce the amount of time your pet will have to spend will transport pets require a certificate of veterinary inspection regular dietary routine will be considered when feeding to a long road trip. A car-sick pet is sure to make in the busy terminal. (health certificate) that is issued within 10 days prior to recommendations are made. It is recommended that you the trip miserable for everyone. When planning travel. Today, many major airlines allow cats and small your trip, if you will be staying with friends or The various airlines occasionally update their pet travel not give tranquilizers to your pet when traveling by air dogs to travel in specially designed carry-on luggage that because they can increase the risk of heart or respiratory family along the way, be considerate and ask them regulations including restrictions on breeds and size, will fit underneath the seat. If you are traveling problems. in advance if your pet is welcome. The same applies restrictions relating to weather conditions and time of internationally, consult your veterinarian and/or your to choosing hotels, motels, parks, and campgrounds. year, and charges for checked kennels. Consult with your state’s USDA Veterinary Services Area Office or the Always check if pets are allowed or if kennel facilities are available. If a hotel or motel claims to be “pet destination country’s embassy or consulate about additional travel restrictions or quarantine requirements. veterinarian to determine what is best for your pet’s well-being and ask about current airline regulations. Travel By Car friendly,” clarify exactly what that means to be sure If your pet is not accustomed to car travel, take it for a it will accommodate you and your pet’s needs. If Whenever possible, book a nonstop flight and avoid few short rides before your trip so it will feel confident your pet must be left alone in a hotel room, place Defective kennels that a car outing does not necessarily mean a trip to the plane changes and busy holidays. During warm weather are the most common a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door and inform months, choose early morning or late evening flights. In veterinarian or unpleasant destination. If your dog has a the maid and the front desk. Before leaving home, cause of escaped or colder months, choose midday flights. As of the revision injured animals consider bringing along a portable kennel for use date of this brochure, regulations associated with the Cats should always be confined in hotel rooms or the homes of friends or relatives Federal Animal Welfare Act prohibit airlines from accepting during air travel. to a cage or in a cat carrier to who are not comfortable allowing your pet to roam dogs and cats for shipment if the airline cannot prevent Approved transport crates, allow them to feel secure and freely when no one is home. exposure of the animal to temperatures less than 45 available from most airlines or pet shops, must: prevent them from crawling degrees F (7.2 C) or more than 85 degrees F (29.5 C) • Be large enough to allow the animal to stand (without under the driver’s feet. Whether you travel by car or by plane, be sure for more than 45 minutes when the animal is transferred your pet is wearing an ID tag and, if possible, also touching the top of the cage), sit erect, turn around, and problem with carsickness, your between the terminal and the plane, or for more than 4 lie down in a natural position. has an imbedded identification microchip. While hours when the animal is in a holding facility. However, veterinarian can prescribe both should contain accurate contact information, • Latch securely. medication that will help it feel the prohibition against exposure to temperatures below consider not including your pet’s name on its ID 45 degrees F is waived if a veterinarian provides an • Be strong and free of interior protrusions, with handle more comfortable during long tag. How a pet responds to hearing its name used acclimation certificate stating that the dog or cat can be or grips. trips. Cats should always be could be helpful in reuniting a lost or stolen pet with its exposed to lower temperatures. Your • Have a solid, leak-proof bottom covered with plenty of confined to a cage or in a cat carrier to allow them to rightful owner. Grooming (bathing, combing, trimming veterinarian absorbent material. feel secure and prevent them from crawling under the nails) before a trip, plus taking along your pet’s favorite cannot • Be appropriately and clearly labeled. Include your name, driver’s feet. Providing a familiar toy or blanket can help food, toy(s), and dishes will make your pet more issue a home address, home phone number, and destination make your pet more comfortable in its carrier. Regardless comfortable. Carry proof of rabies vaccination and a certificate contact information, as well as a designation of “Live of the length of the trip, pets should not be left unattended current health certificate when crossing state or Animals,” with arrows indicating the crate’s upright in a car. international borders. Finally, keep a printed photograph position. In addition, carry your pet’s photo and health (a digital copy is also good to have) of your pet with you information with you on the plane for easy identification A dog that must ride in a truck bed should be confined to assist with identification in case your pet is lost. in the event the cage label is lost. in a protective kennel that is fastened to the truck bed. • Be adequately ventilated so that airflow is not impeded. Dogs riding in a car should not ride in the passenger seat Most importantly, before undertaking any trip, consult if it is equipped with an airbag, and should never be allowed to sit on the driver’s lap. Harnesses, tethers, and other accessories to secure pets during car travel are Travel By Bus or Train For more information and helpful tips available at most pet stores. Accustom your dog to a Most states prohibit animals from riding on buses and on traveling with your pet seatbelt harness by attaching a leash and taking your dog similar regulations restrict travel on trains. Exceptions are American Veterinary Medical Association for short walks while wearing it. Offer your dog a treat made for guide and service dogs accompanying blind and www.avma.org and praise at the end of the walk to associate a positive disabled persons. Consult your local carriers for current experience with wearing the harness. Don’t let your pet information. Import and Export and Interstate Travel – ride with its head outside the car window as particles of Veterinary Practice Resource Center – AVMA dirt or other debris can enter the eyes, ears, and nose, http://www.avma.org/services/vprc/travel.asp causing injury or infection. Camping With Pets United States Department of Transportation Aviation Consumer Protection Division Dogs riding in a car Traveling to country settings http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publications/animals.htm should not ride in the with your pet presents its own passenger seat if it is challenges. Skunks, raccoons, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) equipped with an porcupines, snakes, and other Animal Care Pet Travel Page http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/pet_travel/pet_travel.shtml airbag, and should never wildlife can bite or otherwise be allowed to sit on the injure your pet. Keep your pet USDA Veterinary Services Area Offices Locator within sight and on a leash. http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/area_offices/ driver’s lap. Carry an adequate supply of water for you and your dog. International Air Transport Association Live Animals Transportation by During the trip, maintain Be considerate of other campers. Prior to the trip, ask your Air (includes guidelines on selecting an appropriately sized animal carrier) your regular feeding routine veterinarian about flea, tick, and heartworm prevention http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/live_animals/index.html and serve the main meal at and make sure your pet is vaccinated against rabies. Before the end of the day or when taking your dog on a long hike, be sure your pet is physically Centers for Disease Control and Prevention able to handle the exercise. Frequently Asked Questions about Animal Importation you reach your destination. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/animal/faq.htm Feeding dry food will be more convenient, assuming your pet readily consumes it. Dispose of unused canned Additional Pet Travel & Health Tips This brochure is made possible in part food unless it can be refrigerated. Take along a plastic jug • When traveling by car, pack a simple pet first-aid kit through an educational grant from Subaru. of cold water in case other reliable water sources are not that includes assorted bandages, antiseptic cream, an available. On long trips, feed your pet small portions of antidiarrheal medication that is safe for pets (ask your food and water and plan to stop every two hours for veterinarian to suggest a product), gauze squares, and the exercise. Remember to include a leash with your pet’s phone numbers of your veterinarian, a national poison traveling supplies. control hotline, and a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital. • In addition to a standard identification tag (which should be labeled with your name, home address, and phone number), your pet’s collar should include a travel tag with information on where you are staying while away from home. Should your pet become lost, this will allow you to be contacted locally. • Perform a daily “health check” on your pet when away from home. In unfamiliar surroundings, your pet’s appetite, energy, and disposition may change. Watch for unusual American Veterinary Medical Association discharges from the nose and eyes, excessive scratching 1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100 or biting of any body part, abnormal elimination, or Schaumburg, Illinois 60173 - 4360 excessive water consumption. Visit a local veterinarian if Phone: 847-925-8070 • Fax: 847-925-1329 www.avma.org you are concerned about any physical or behavioral changes. Revised 3-2009 Printed in the U.S.A.