Whether it’s a trip out of town for the holidays or a spur-of-the-moment getaway, our pets are a huge consideration when planning a trip out of town. Whether you’re flying, driving, or boarding your furry friend, preparing for what’s to come can remove some of the stress from traveling with pets.
Airline Travel
Pet Carriers and Airline Tickets
The guidelines for domestic travel may differ from those for international flights, so please check with your specific airline for their rules before traveling. We’ve put together some general guidelines for domestic travel.
Pet(s) must be small enough to fit in a hard or soft carrier underneath the seat in front of you. This means you may not sit in the emergency exit or first rows of the airplane. The general measurements for soft and hard carriers are 18”x11”x11” with soft carriers as the preference over hard carriers. The Petmate Soft Sided Carrier is a good option for airline travel.
Some airlines will allow your pet to travel outside of a carrier but may charge you for another seat on your flight. In this case, your pet must sit next to you. Make sure you have a well-fitting harness and/or dog collar with current contact information on the tags in case your pet gets away from you.
At the Airport and During the Flight
Be sure to notify the airline at least 48 hours in advance that you will be flying with your pet. Once the day comes, arrive at the airport early and go to the ticket counter to get yourself and your pet checked in. You will typically only be allowed to carry your pet plus one small personal item, so pack accordingly. Pet strollers will need to be checked at added to your luggage in the cargo area of the plane, so be sure to attach luggage tags with your current contact information.
Be sure to visit the pet relief area of the airport before boarding! Pack some treats to motivate your pet to do their business in a new and strange place, and reward them strategically (meaning, don’t give them too many treats or they’ll need an extra evacuation mid-flight). Also, be sure to have waste bags on hand for easy disposal.
To make the flight a little easier on your pet, consider CBD or other calming aids to “take the edge off” of the anxiety your pet may be feeling before, during, and even after the flight. We carry a wide variety of calming products in all our locations.
*CBD products are only available in-store and not online due to state regulations. See us in person to explore those options.
Traveling by Car
Taking a trip in your vehicle removes some of the official travel rules and restrictions but comes with some considerations to make it a smooth and safe trip.
Seatbelts aren’t just for people! That’s right, there are seatbelts made for your pup. Think about it, you want your children and other guests in your car to be buckled in and secure, so why wouldn’t you do the same for your dog? If you brake suddenly – or worse- get into an accident, you want your pup to stay put.
You’ll want to make sure you stop every few hours to stretch out your legs and give your pet a chance to smell some new grass and relieve themselves. They’ll need water and would benefit from some activity to get energy out.
Wherever you spend your holiday, we hope you create lifelong memories to share with those you love most… including your pets.