Summer Travel with Pets: Planning for a Safe and Stress-Free Adventure
Summer is the perfect time for road trips, family vacations, and outdoor adventures. For many pet owners, those plans include bringing their furry family members along for the ride. While traveling with pets can create wonderful memories, it also requires some preparation to keep them safe, comfortable, and healthy throughout the journey.
Car Travel Safety
Just as seatbelts protect human passengers, pets should be properly secured whenever they travel in a vehicle. Allowing pets to roam freely in the car can be dangerous for both the pet and the driver.
Consider using:
- A crash-tested harness secured to a seatbelt
- A secured travel crate or carrier
- Vehicle barriers designed for pets
Pets should never ride in the front seat, where airbags can cause serious injury. During long trips, plan for regular breaks every 2-3 hours so your pet can stretch, drink water, and relieve themselves.
Never leave a pet unattended in a vehicle, even for a few minutes. Even when the outside temperature is in the 70s, the inside temperature will climb into the triple digits within a few minutes. This poses a significant risk of heat stroke, a life-threatening emergency, to your pet.
Does My Pet Need a Health Certificate?
If you're traveling across state lines or flying with your pet, you may need a health certificate.
A health certificate is an official document completed by a veterinarian that confirms your pet is healthy and free of contagious diseases. Airlines, some states, boarding facilities, and pet-friendly lodging may require this documentation.
Requirements vary depending on your destination and mode of travel, so it's important to research your specific travel plans well in advance. Some certificates must be issued within a certain number of days before departure.
If you're planning to travel with your pet this summer, visit the APHIS website to ensure you are prepared for any required documentation.
Motion Sickness in Pets
Just like people, some pets experience motion sickness during travel.
Signs of motion sickness may include:
- Excessive drooling
- Lip licking
- Yawning
- Whining
- Restlessness
- Vomiting
To help reduce motion sickness, avoid feeding a large meal immediately before travel. It may help to keep the vehicle cool and well-ventilated and to take frequent breaks during longer trips. Consider shorter practice rides before a major trip to see how your pet responds.
If your pet struggles with motion sickness, we may recommend medications that can help make travel more comfortable.
Managing Travel Anxiety
Travel can be exciting for some pets and stressful for others. New sounds, unfamiliar locations, strange people, and disruptions to normal routines can all contribute to anxiety.
Common signs of travel-related stress include:
- Panting
- Pacing
- Trembling
- Excessive vocalization
- Hiding
- Changes in appetite
Before your trip, help your pet become familiar with travel equipment such as carriers or crates. Leaving these items out at home and associating them with treats or positive experiences can help build comfort. Bringing familiar items such as bedding, favorite toys, or blankets can also help provide reassurance in new environments.
For pets with significant anxiety, there are a variety of calming supplements, pheromone products, or prescription medications to help reduce stress during travel. Several over-the-counter supplements may provide the calming support your pet needs. Mushroom Relax uses a blend of mushroom extracts, amino acids, and soothing herbs to reduce stress. Standard Process offers supplements that support nervous system health and promote relaxation, such as Calming Comfort Pro.
If your pet needs more relief, we are happy to discuss prescription strength options to help your pet have a stress free journey.
Adjusting to New Environments
Whether you're staying with family, camping, visiting a pet-friendly hotel, or even traveling locally, remember that your pet is entering an unfamiliar environment.
To help them adjust:
- Keep feeding schedules as consistent as possible.
- Maintain regular exercise routines.
- Ensure identification tags and microchip information are current.
- Supervise pets closely in unfamiliar areas.
- Research nearby veterinary hospitals before your trip.
Even well-behaved pets may attempt to escape or act in unusual ways when they are in a new location.
Before You Hit the Road
A pre-travel veterinary visit can help ensure your pet is healthy and ready for the journey. Our veterinarians can discuss vaccine recommendations, parasite prevention, health certificates, motion sickness management, and anxiety-reducing options tailored to your pet's needs.
With a little planning, summer travel can be a safe and enjoyable experience for the entire family.
Safe travels, and happy adventures!