Travel Tips For Pet Travel

Travel Tips For Pet Travel

Author: Amy Nutt

Putting a pet on a plane for travel can be a stressful time for owners and their pet. Before you travel with your pet, it is important to make sure you have implemented the following tips to ensure your pet's safety as well as its health and well-being.

Pet Risk Destination Assessment: Check health risks in the destination area such as Lyme disease, Rabies, Heartworm, and other parasites and viruses. Treat your pet to prevent affliction. As well, check for breed restrictions at the destination before traveling. Some types of breeds and animal species are banned.

Assess Your Pet's Health: Travel can be a stressful time for any pet. Make sure that your pet is healthy. Sick, injured, too young or too old, and pregnant pets should not fly. Make sure all of the vaccinations are up-to-date. Vaccinations must be administered at least 30 days before departure. Rabies certificates should be obtained and signed no more than 10 days before departure. Make sure that your pet's nails have been clipped to protect against them hooking on the carrier's door, holes, and other small spaces. Do not feed your pet for four to six hours prior to air travel. Vomiting in the carrier is messy.

Pet Identification: Provide your pet with two identification tags. Make sure the tag contains your name, all of your contact numbers, home address, and phone number and address of your destination location. A microchip is a permanent way to identify your pet. Another option is to acquire a pet passport. A pet passport can be purchased at most local pet stores or on the internet. The passport will keep all of your pet's health information and emergency contacts readily available. Attach a photograph of your pet to the top of the carrier. This will help with identification if it gets out of the carrier. You should keep a picture in your purse or wallet. You should also place the words, "Live Animal" on the top and the sides of the carrier.

Appropriate Pet Carrier: Make sure you have a durable carrier with handles and proper locking. It should also have good ventilation and the pet should be able stand up, turn around and lie down. Write your home and destination contact information on the carrier. On the inside, lay comfortable bedding such as linen. As well, place ice cubes in the pet's dish in the carrier. It will melt during the trip and provide the pet with water without making a mess.

Know Your Airline's Pet Policies: Pet policies differ among the various airlines. Some airlines have such restrictions as cabin weight limitations, a certain breed prohibited, no pets when there is bad weather, and certain pet carrier guidelines. Make sure you call ahead of time to obtain the essential information for flying with your pet.

Traveling with a pet requires much planning and preparation. When you pack for your pet, make sure to include leashes, collar, food, medication and its favorite toy. Following the above tips will help ensure a safe and less stressful trip on the airplane making your trip much more relaxing and enjoyable.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/travel-tips-for-pet-travel-1128117.html

About the Author:
Need information about flying, flights and airports? Our airline information pages tell everything you to need to know about booking cheap tickets online. Find cheap tickets and last minute flights for your next trip at Cheapflights!