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