Checklist for preparing to travel with a dog

Want to take your dog on vacation with you? A pet can make great travel companions if you figure out where you can take him in advance and take care of what he might need on the trip. This dog travel checklist will help you pack your bags and make sure you don’t forget anything.

Travel by car

How to transport an animal in a car? Consider how comfortable your dog will be. Doesn’t she get sick? Can she get in and out of the car without any problems? If you’re afraid that traveling by car might cause anxiety for your pet, it’s best to leave it at home with someone to look after it, or at a dog hostel.

Always limit your dog’s movement when traveling in a car with a crate, carrier, or harness, but remember to stop to rest so he can stretch. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) suggests stopping every two to three hours so that your pet can get out of the car, go to the toilet and drink.

Never leave an animal in a car in a parking lot! Even on a cool day, car temperatures can quickly rise to critical levels, putting your dog at risk of heatstroke or death. On cold days, your pet may get supercooled in a closed car.

The checklist for traveling by car with a dog should include the following items:

• Enough food and water for the whole trip.
• Goodies. Let’s be honest: your dog is a good boy and deserves a treat from time to time.
• Dog cleaning bags.
• Leash.
• A blanket or towel for your dog to lie on.
• Favorite toy or bone.
• An up-to-date photo of your dog (to show people if it gets lost).
• Documents and a medallion with detailed travel information, including your mobile phone number.
• Sunscreen if you are going to be in the sun. Dogs can get burned too.

Hiking trips

Find out in advance which campsite you can bring your dog to. Most campsites’ animal policies can be found on their websites. You don’t want to come to a vacation spot expecting a fun weekend only to find out your pet isn’t allowed there!

Visit your veterinarian before you travel to make sure your dog has all the necessary vaccinations. In addition, we recommend taking care to protect it from ticks, mosquitoes and other insects. Just like humans, dogs can get Lyme disease (borreliosis) and West Nile fever. Consult your veterinarian about flea and tick precautions and remedies.

Always keep your dog on a leash. You may want to give her a little run around, but remember – she is in an unfamiliar place and can easily get lost among the trees. In addition, if you keep your pet on a leash, then this will reduce the likelihood of her encountering wild animals. Even a small bite or scratch from a wild animal can cause serious injury.

Your camping checklist should include everything on your car travel checklist, as well as a first aid kit. Don’t forget to bring the following with you:

• Confirmation of current vaccinations.
• Additional leash and collar.
• Soap and water to disinfect any possible wounds and dressings.
• Brush or comb. It will come in handy if your dog collects a lot of bad things in his fur after a walk in the forest.
• Dog towel. Trust me, it will get dirty on your camping trip, so it’s best to dry it off before letting it into your van or tent.
• Tweezers for tick bites.
• A dog bed so she doesn’t have to sleep on the ground.
• Life jacket if you plan to go boating.

Flights (domestic and international)

Please check your airline’s website before you travel, as policies vary from airline to airline. You must carefully prepare and take into account any special rules and regulations before you go to the airport. It will not be superfluous to double-check everything! Read the pet policy again at least a few days before departure to make sure the airline hasn’t changed it without notifying you.

Find out in advance where your pet will fly. Many airlines, for example, allow dogs of a certain size to travel with their owners in the cabin. Other carriers may not allow pets at all.

Along with finding out the specifics of the flight, visit the websites of the airports through which you will be traveling. We recommend that you check the terminals’ pet policies in advance and check if they have designated dog walking areas where your dog can go to the bathroom and stretch. Be sure to visit your veterinarian before you travel to get the necessary vaccinations. In addition, many countries have different requirements for the admission of animals. Your veterinarian can explain to you the travel requirements for the country you are going to and make sure you meet all the requirements. One of the requirements in some countries is quarantine. It can last from several days to several months depending on the country, so it will require additional costs. The USDA maintains an up-to-date list of travel requirements for each country. Be prepared for things to change at the last minute because countries can often change their restrictions for hygiene reasons.

Your checklist will depend on the airline, so be sure to check their rules. As an example, the JetBlue checklist includes the following:

• Veterinary passport indicating the necessary vaccinations and other documentation.
• Medallions with identification information.
• Documents confirming the ownership of a pet.
• Approved pet carrier.
• Animal food and treats.

If your dog is unable to travel with you in the cabin, be sure to give him enough water and food, as well as his favorite toy and something with your scent so that he does not get too excited in flight. The same list will help you decide what to bring on the train.

Your dog is always at home with you, so why not take him on the vacation you’ve been waiting for. Taking the time to prepare not only yourself but also your pet for the holiday will make the process much easier for both of you, so you can have fun together without any hassle.