Holiday Travel With Pets: Get Prepped with this 5-Point Checklist

Are you making plans to travel with your pet this winter season? Whether you’re headed home for the holidays or escaping to the tropics, there’s nothing quite like traveling with your four-legged family member in tow. Use this five-point checklist to make sure your cat or dog is travel-ready before take-off.

Five Things To Do Before Holiday Travel with Pets

1. Schedule a pre-trip wellness check.
No matter where your travels take you, it makes sense to take your pet for a checkup beforehand to make sure they’re healthy enough to go along. If you’ll be leaving your state or country, you may need a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) or a health certificate from your vet issued no more than 10 days before travel. Timelines, endorsements, and requirements vary between airlines and local ordinances.

2. Get your pet used to their travel crate.
Whether you’re traveling by car, by bus, by train, or by plane, your pet will need to be safely contained. Airlines require you to use an airline approved pet carrier and only allow small pets to ride in-cabin with you, while larger pets need to be checked as cargo. If you’re driving, a carrier or pet seatbelt ensures that your pet does not become a distraction. Purchase your pet’s travel carrier well in advance and leave it out in the weeks leading up to the trip so they can become familiar with it.

3. Stock up on anxiety aids.
An anxiety aid can help calm your pet’s nervous system so they’ll be more likely to relax and take a nap while they’re on the road or in the air. Calming treats and herbal anxiety supplements for pets can help with mild anxiety, or you can talk to your veterinarian about prescription anxiety medication if your pet needs additional support.

4. Plan a pet-friendly trip.
While traveling with pets is a wonderful experience, it comes with some unique challenges and extra costs. If you’ll be traveling by plane, don’t forget to check their pet travel guidelines and pay the extra pet fee, if it applies. Map out vets, pet supply stores, and emergency vet clinics near your destination. Also, make sure your must-see sites are pet-friendly. Many popular national parks, beaches, and nature reserves only allow pets during certain times of year, or in specific areas, if at all.

5. Provide routine care before traveling.
If your trip will be shorter than two weeks, you’ll want to make sure your pet’s nails are trimmed a day or two before you leave. Make sure they’ve had a bath, if they take one regularly. Plan ahead to make sure they get their flea and tick prevention and heartworm preventative on time. If you’ll be going on a longer trip, make sure you bring grooming supplies and enough of their prescription medications and preventatives to last the trip. Remember, most pets find traveling stressful, especially if it’s a new experience for them. Keeping up with routines and sticking with familiar food, toys, and treats can help minimize stress so they can enjoy a memorable holiday trip with you.