Taking your pets on vacation? Check out our packing list for a stress-free adventure.
Overpacking is a knee-jerk reaction when traveling. After all, you may really need that thing you haven’t used in two years on your week-long vacation. The same idea usually applies to when we pack for our pets. Planning ahead and packing just the right amount can make a huge difference in alleviating stress and curbing any unnecessary spending when away.
Before taking your pet on a trip, you should visit the vet to ensure that they’re in tip-top health and up to date on all vaccines. Take note of any vaccine requirements for the location where you’re traveling. Airlines usually have specific requirements for traveling with pets—including what their health status should be—so get in contact with them to get the most up-to-date information. Additionally, you should start the preparation process with your pet ahead of time.
When planning to take your dog, this could include taking them on short car rides to familiarize them with what it's like. If traveling by air, make sure they feel safe and comfortable in their crate or carrier. Some dogs may not be good travelers, so you should leave them at home in the care of someone you trust.
“If your dog is used to traveling and you are going to a dog-friendly vacation spot, it's great to take them with you! This can be a good experience for them and most dogs love being able to go places with their family. If your dog gets carsick or has anxiety with travel or new places, taking them on vacation may not be the best idea.” - Dr. Jennifer Schott
When it comes to your cat, it may be best to make plans for them to stay at home or leave them with a friend. Generally, dogs are more adaptable to new people, environments, and situations than cats are so they may do better with travel than their cat counterparts. If you do want to bring your cat, get them acclimated ahead of time to carriers, crates, and general travel can go a long way in helping them feel comfortable. With both cats and dogs, consider chatting with your vet about calming supplements or anxiety medications and make sure you keep their routine as best you can when away.
“If you want an adventure cat, starting them with harness and leash training very young is key! Some cats love exploring and going new places, however some cats prefer to stay home so not all cats are cut out for adventures.” - Dr. Jennifer Schott
If you’re bringing your pet along, ensure your accommodations are pet-friendly. It’s also great to know what the host expects from your stay with your pet—including cleanliness, rules, and any pet fees—which is usually in the pet policy. Ensuring spaces are pet-friendly also extends to any restaurants, bars, activities, stores or parks that you plan on visiting. Not every website or review is up to date, and it can be disappointing to be turned away from a spot you were excited to check out. Planning ahead of time helps to ensure you don’t run into any unnecessary snags.
For longer trips, you’ll want to be more discerning in your packing list and pay special attention to what you pack to ensure you don’t miss anything. Each packing list will look different depending on how long the travel time is and where you’re headed. For the time between you leaving your house to the time you reach your destination, your pet may need:
Throwing it back to the basics, think about what your pet uses every single day. That’s how you can start your list. These things include their food, health information, and treats, as well as:
🚨You should always have your pet's microchip number and the phone number of the monitoring company in case you get separated.
Depending on location, you may need to pack your pet’s food for the entire trip. In some cases, you may be able to have pet food delivered to your rental ahead of time or arrange for it to be delivered shortly following your arrival. This can help remove one less thing from your packing to-do list, creating room in your luggage for other things.
While traveling, you’ll want to be sure that your pet's food (and medications!) are stored properly whether they need to be refrigerated, frozen, or kept at a certain temperature. Coolers and ice packs can help keep things safe during transit.
While these aren’t directly related to the daily health and wellness of your pets, some pet-related supplies can make life a lot easier while traveling. From cleaning to safety, consider bringing these—or buying them when you get to your destination:
Not all pets will be good travel buddies, and that’s okay. Their health and safety are the most important things, so if you think your pet may not be cut out for it, have them stay in the care of someone you trust. But if you’re confident they’re up for the adventure, make sure you’re prepared with everything they need to thrive alongside you.
Stick to the basics: food, identification, leash/harness, treats, vet records, medications, and waste bags. From there, think of what your pet uses regularly.
The key items include food and water, their identification and vaccine records, their collar, any toys they might need, and any calming aids they use.
Airlines are fairly strict about pet carriers and ensuring that they meet their standards. Different airlines may have different requirements so do your research ahead of time.
Start with a vet visit to ensure they’re in good health. From there, you’ll want to crate/carrier train them and gather any calming medications they may need. Exercising your pet beforehand can help tire them out, and a small meal a few hours before the flight can alleviate any tummy troubles while in flight.
Most require documentation and a health certificate—which comes from a vet and is less than 10 days old. They often have breed and size restrictions and fees for transporting pets. If you have a service animal, airlines can’t charge you to bring them with you.
