Pet Vacation Trip - Take Your Pet With You

Vacations are one of the peak seasons for travel, and it's the perfect time to take your pet with you. Whether you're on a ski vacation, visiting family, or perhaps enjoying the magical feel of a Swiss town at Christmas, having your best friend will make the trip more enjoyable.

Be sure to consider identifying your pet before you leave. Pet ID tags with your CELL PHONE number are great as there will be no one at home to answer the phone. You should consider the added security of a pet microchip. If your pet is สัตว์น่าเลี้ยง, a shelter or vet can read the chip and can then trace it back through the database of the company that made the microchip. If you will be spending a couple of weeks in one place, consider purchasing a second pet identification tag with the contact information for where you will be staying.

Pet cages are a great way to keep your pet safe when traveling in the car. Unless a pet is confined or caged, its behavior can be very distracting to the driver of the vehicle. As much as we all like to have a smaller pet on our lap, it is detrimental to the safety of the pet, the driver, and the passengers traveling in the car. A collision, even at low speed, can seriously injure an unrestrained pet. The safety of your pet is your responsibility. Be sure to fasten them (like you do yourself) or confine them in a box.

If it is very hot or very cold, do not leave your pet alone in the car. Be prepared by having a supply of water, food, and water / food bowls in the car. You may not find the brand of pet food they are used to where you go.

If your pet weighs more than about 15 pounds and is traveling by plane, then you will need a pet cage that complies with the International Airline Transportation Association (IATA) regulations. If you are staying in a hotel, then the pet crate is the right place to leave your pet while you go out to dinner. Make sure the pet cage is large enough for your pet to stand up and roll over. Be sure to leave an adequate supply of food and water for the period you will be away. It is also a good idea to place an absorbent pet pad in the bottom of the box that will keep your pet dry in case of accidents.

Buy your cage well in advance of your trip so your pet gets used to it before traveling. Pet cages come in two pieces, a top and a bottom. For a few days, leave the top of the box and put treats and a favorite toy only at the bottom. After checking that your pet is comfortable, mount the cage and leave the door open. Invite them with compliments and treats.

Flying with your pet is easy these days. Almost all airlines accept pets on board the plane. Very small pets can often travel in the aircraft cabin with you in a pet carrier that complies with airline regulations. Larger pets will travel as checked baggage in a special section of the cargo hold where the temperature and pressure are the same as in the cabin. Be sure to alert the captain of the aircraft that you have a pet in the cargo, as he will take extra care to keep the temperature and pressure at the proper levels. You will need a health certificate stating that your pet is healthy enough to fly. Be sure to make reservations in advance, as airlines only allow a limited number of pets per flight. Stay away from medical tranquilizers for your pet and instead give him an all-natural product that makes them less anxious, such as a product called Happy Traveler.

You will need accommodation along the way. A vast majority of pet-friendly hotels, motels, and B & Bs do accept pets but do not always accept all types and sizes. It is important to make your reservations in advance and ask about their pet policy. Under no circumstances should you leave your pet in the car overnight.

When traveling, keep your pet on his normal schedule by feeding him and taking him for a "walk" as close to the usual time as possible. Be sure to pack a supply of plastic bags to take on those walks. If you are traveling with a cat, portable cat litter trays are available. Keep in mind that your pet is out of his normal environment, so be sure to keep him on a leash and watch him closely.