Planning and Preparation Travel By Car · a health certificate within ten days of travel. Air...

If your pet is not accustomed to car travel, take it for a fewshort rides before your trip so it will feel confident that a carouting does not necessarily mean a trip to the veterinarian oran unpleasant destination. Cats should always be confined toa cage or in a cat carrier to allow them to feel secure andprevent them from crawling under your feet while you aredriving.

A dog that must ride in a truck bed should be confined in aprotective kennel that is fastened to the truck bed. Dogs ridingin a car should not ride in the passenger seat if it is equippedwith an airbag, and should not be allowed to sit on the driver’slap. Harnesses, tethers, and other accessories to secure petsduring car travel are available at most pet stores. Accustomyour dog to a seatbelt harness by attaching a leash and takingyour dog for short walks while wearing it. Offer your dog atreat and praise at the end of the walk to associate a positiveexperience with wearing the harness. Pets should not be allowedto ride with their heads outside car windows. Particles of dirtor other debris can enter the eyes, ears, and nose, causing injuryor infection.

Stick to your regular feeding routine and give the main mealat the end of the day or when you reach your destination.Feeding dry food will be more convenient, assuming your petreadily consumes it. Dispose of unused canned food unless itcan be refrigerated. Take along a plastic jug of cold water incase other reliable water sources are not available. Give smallportions of food and water and plan to stop every two hoursfor exercise. Remember to include a leash with your pet’straveling supplies. If your dog is has a problem with carsickness,

your veterinariancan prescribem e d i c a t i o nthat will helpthe dog feelcomfortableduring a longcar trip. Pets

should not beleft unattended

in cars.

Planning and Preparation

Travel By Air

Travel By Car

Planning and preparation are necessary when travelingwith family pets. Consider whether your pet is comfortablewhen traveling. Some animals, like some people, functionbetter in familiar surroundings. A car-sick animal can makea trip miserable for everyone. Some dogs and cats cannotwithstand the rigors of travel due to illness, injury, ortemperament. If this is the case, discuss options such asusing a reliable pet-sitter or a clean, well-managed boardingfacility with your veterinarian. If you will be staying with friends along the way, beconsiderate. Find out in advance if the pet is welcome.The same goes for hotels, motels, parks, and campgrounds.Always check whether pets are allowed or kennel facilitiesare available. If the pet must be left alone in a hotel room,place a “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door and informthe maid and the front desk. Consider bringing along aportable kennel for use in hotel rooms or the homes offriends or relatives who are not comfortable having yourpet loose when no one is home.

A few general tips apply whether you travel by car orplane. Be sure your pet is properly identified with a currenttag and/or a microchip. Grooming (bathing, combing, trimmingnails) before a trip, plus having its favorite food, toy(s), anddishes available will make your pet more comfortable. Haveproof of rabies vaccination and a current health certificate withyou when crossing state or international borders. Keep a photoof your pet with you to help with identification in case yourpet is lost.

Before undertaking any trip, consult your veterinarian to besure that all required vaccinations are up-to-date and to receivea health certificate within ten days of travel.

Air travel is of most concern to pet owners. The airlinessometimes update their regulations on pet travel includingrestrictions on breeds and size, and may charge for checkedkennels. Most airlines require a health certificate issued within10 days prior to travel. Check with the airline well in advancefor their current regulations. Many of the major airlines allowcats and small dogs to travel in specially designed carry-onluggage that will fit under the seat.

Federal regulations requirethat pets be at least 8 weeks

old and weaned at least 5days before flying. Always

try to book a nonstopflight and avoid plane

changes and busy holidays whenever possible. During warmweather periods, choose early morning or late evening flights.In colder months, choose midday flights. Regulations associatedwith the Federal Animal Welfare Act prohibit airlines fromaccepting dogs and cats for shipment if the airline cannotprevent exposure of the animal to temperatures less than 45degrees F (7.2 C) or more than 85 degrees F (29.5 C) for morethan 45 minutes when the animal is transferred between theterminal and the plane, or for more than 4 hours when theanimal is in a holding facility. However, the prohibition againstexposure to temperatures below 45 degrees F is waived if aveterinarian provides an acclimation certificate stating thatthe dog or cat can be exposed to lower temperatures. Yourveterinarian cannot give a certificate allowing exposures totemperatures above 85 degrees F for more than 45 minutes.Brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs may have more difficultywith air travel.

Reconfirm your flight arrangements the day before you leaveto ensure there have been no unexpected flight changes. Arriveat the airport early, exercise your pet, personally place it in itscrate, and pick up the animal promptly upon arrival at yourdestination. When boarding the plane, let the flight attendantknow that your pet is in the cargo hold. If your pet will betraveling with you in the cabin, arrange to check in as late aspossible to reduce the amount of time your pet will have tospend in the busy terminal.

Defective kennels are the most common cause of escapedor injured animals during air travel. Approved transportcrates, available from most airlines or pet shops, must:

Ask your veterinarian for specific feeding instructions. Foryour pet’s comfort, air travel on an almost empty stomach isusually recommended. The age and size of your pet, time anddistance of the flight, and your pet’s regular dietary routinewill be considered when feeding recommendations are made.It is recommended that you not give tranquilizers to your petwhen traveling by air because they can increase the risk ofheart or respiratory problems.

• Be large enough to allow theanimal to stand (without touchingthe top of the cage), sit erect, turnaround, and lie down in a naturalposition.• Latch securely.• Be strong and free of interior protrusions, with handle orgrips.• Have a solid, leak-proof bottom that is covered with plentyof absorbent material.• Be appropriately and clearly labeled. Include your name,home address, home phone number, and destination contactinformation, as well as a designation of “Live Animals,” witharrows indicating the crate’s upright position. In addition,carry your pet’s photo and health information with you onthe plane for easy identification in the event the cage labelis lost.• Be adequately ventilated so that airflow is not impeded.

Before leaving on your trip, take time to accustom your petto the crate in which it will be traveling.

American Veterinary Medical Association1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100Schaumburg, Illinois 60173 - 4360Phone: 847-925-8070 • Fax: 847-925-1329www.avma.org

Revised 3-2008Printed in the U.S.A.

This brochure is made possible in part throughan educational grant from Suburu.

Most states prohibit animals from riding on buses and similarregulations restrict travel on trains. Exceptions are made forguide and service dogs accompanying blind and disabled persons.Consult your local carriers in advance for information.

Travel By Bus or Train

Camping With Pets

• When traveling by car, pack a simple pet first-aid kit thatincludes assorted bandages, antiseptic cream, an antidiarrhealmedication that is safe for pets (ask your veterinarian to suggesta product), gauze squares, and the phone numbers of yourveterinarian, a national poison control hotline, and a 24-houremergency veterinary hospital• In addition to a standard identification tag (which should belabeled with your name, home address, and phone number),your pet’s collar should include a travel tag with informationon where you are staying while away from home. Should yourpet become lost, this will allow you to be contacted locally.•Perform a daily “health check” on your pet when away fromhome. In unfamiliar surroundings, your pet’s appetite, energy,and disposition may change. Watch for unusual discharges fromthe nose and eyes, excessive scratching or biting of any bodypart, abnormal elimination, or excessive water consumption.Visit a local veterinarian if you are concerned about any physicalor behavioral changes.

Additional Pet Travel and Health Tips

For more information and helpful tipson traveling with your pet

American Veterinary Medical Associationwww.avma.org

United States Department of Transportation AviationConsumer Protection Division

http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publications/animals.html

United States Department of AgricultureAnimal Care Pet Travel Page

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ac/pettravel.html

International Air Transport Association Live AnimalsTransportation by Air

http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/live_animals/index.htm

Traveling to country settings with your pet presents its ownchallenges. Skunks, raccoons, porcupines, snakes, and otherwildlife can bite or otherwise injure your pet. Keep your petwithin sight and on a leash. Be considerate of other campers.Be sure to ask your veterinarian about flea, tick, and heartwormprevention before you leave.

http://airconsumer.ost.dot.gov/publications/animals.htm