Traveling with Pets

People traveling with their pets often claim to have more rewarding experiences than those traveling with friends or family members. (Maybe because the dog doesn’t complain?) We once had a family traveling with a parrot stay at the resort. We never saw them without that bird sitting on someone’s shoulder. It was part of their family.

Our friend Chris' dog, Beacon, probably has her own frequent flyer account she travels so much. Here's a real insider tip: cute dogs often score their owners seat upgrades on airlines. Of course it's dependant on the counter agent's feelings about pooches, but sometimes just a peek of a sweet face is enough to make the day more pleasant for a weary airline employee and you could reap the rewards. Even if you don't get the upgrade, your time at the counter may be more pleasant.

Don't think that dogs have exclusivity when it comes to traveling with their owners. We have friends who take their cat camping with them. And we once saw a young woman at a highway restaurant traveling with a horse trailer in tow. Not an unusual sight in Texas, but we noticed that as she opened the door of her pickup truck a cat jumped out. At first we were alarmed, thinking that now she was going to be scrambling to catch her runaway cat, but while the woman tended to her horse in back, the cat calmly walked to a nearby patch of grass, did his business, returned to the truck, and waited patiently for her return. He jumped right in when she opened the door again and off they went. (Disclaimer: Don't try this one with your own cat without a harness and leash at first.)

Got horses? Plan a trip with them. There are campgrounds across the country with equine facilities and trails to ride. There are also accommodations like ours where you can stay in a cabin and your four hoofed friends get a barn, pasture, or pen nearby. Alyssa used to be quite expert at finding the most incredible places she wanted us to go as a family with the horses.

Here's a cool car seat saver for pets who shed.

Here are some tips from friends and family members who travel frequently with their animals:

1. Get the animal used to it's carrier well in advance of a long trip. Kennel trained pets travel the best.

2. Same thing applies to new feed/water bowls. Don't expect them to drink from that new-fangled drinking thing in a busy parking lot if they never tried it at home.

3. Shop for pet travel gadgets. Pet super stores have an enormous selection of things to make you both more comfortable.

4. Pay attention to you pet's bathroom needs. Our friend Chris even works Beacon's pooping schedule into his travel plans. Seriously. We don't make this stuff up.

5. If possible, try to take several short trips before taking a long one. 

6. Stop as often as your mode of transportation allows.

7. When all else fails and you must travel with a nervous animal, seek veterinary advice.

The real key to traveling with pets is to do your research regarding accommodations and transportation. You should do everything necessary to ensure your pet’s safety and comfort, but the number one rule: never, ever assume that your pet is welcome somewhere just because you are. This means parks, hotels, campgrounds, and Aunt Jane’s house. Not everyone loves animals and some people have severe allergies. Even people with pets of their own may not appreciate visiting animals, so ask first, then enjoy exploring with your beloved pet