Traveling with pets

First, I don't really recommend traveling with pets in a lot of circumstances.  Why?  It's a being you need to care for, think about, and manage.  Often, when I'm on vacation or traveling I want to escape all of my normal responsibilities.  I think it's easier on everyone if you have adequate care at home.

That being said, there are circumstances where you might want to travel with a pet and/or need to.  Why travel with a pet?  Maybe you are going on a trip your pet would love, hiking or swimming with a dog could be fun.  Maybe, you are traveling alone and you want a companion.  Maybe, your pet is a service animal or provides relief from anxiety.  All great reasons to travel with a pet.

We are traveling with pets because we are moving across the country.  

Here are some things to consider if you are traveling with pets.  They are beings just like you - they sleep, eat, poop, and have anxieties.  So, how can you make traveling easier.  Think through routines and pack accordingly. 

• Pre-measured food into baggies for each pet. One baggie per day
• Treats and calming chews.  Test before your trip!
• Harness and leash for each pet
• Doggie bed that fits area in car
• Collapsible bowls for water and food
• Poop bags - tie to leash - Every time you use one replace one
• Travel litter box + litter
• Plastic bags for waste 
• Baby gate
• Pee-pee pads
• Any other toys or soft small things they luv

Establish routine - dog is first and last - took out first thing in the morning and right before bed.

• Everyone needs a little outdoor time - 10 minutes for the cat made a big difference
• Dog we took on a walk - 1/2 hour mid way through journey and again in the afternoon.
• The more active your pet the more time you need to allow.

I fed animals twice a day. Every morning, the cat normally woke everyone to be fed.  Then, as soon as we arrived at next location - I fed animals and set up litter box.  This provided positive reinforcement about where you are.

Penny has separation anxiety - so we walked her, gave her a treat and calming chew,  put her in an area with tile floor, her bed, and pee pad when we left.  This worked well.  Since she is used to baby gate at home we used that in doorway instead of closing the door.  She normally settled right down.

 

We are on day 9 of moving across the country and the cat barely meowed in the car today!  Every day is a little easier.  Penny loves sleeping in the car - she is excited to be with her pack all together!  A dogs true happy place. 😄

Don't forget to give your pets water along the way.  We changed environments many times and those changes require more fluids, so keep that collapsible bowl handy.  

Car seats with pockets are a bonus! You can have everything right there when you need it.

Hotels and Airbnb's accept pets but you will pay for this.  There's normally a pet fee and cleaning fee and they vary greatly, so do your research up front.  The cat was easier to travel with because once you arrive you can setup their supplies and leave them for a bit without worrying.  The dog requires more care and thoughtfulness.  Fewer places allow cats due to allergies.  This is often not clear until you make arrangements.  We called one place and they gave us an exception with the cat if we kept him in tiled area, which we did.  Baby gate made this possible.  Bonvoy hotels have pet friendly rooms and are often tiled.  They also have a great rewards program and have early check-in.  This provided time to get site seeing in along our journey.  

Best of luck and happy travels with pets or not! Luv, Eileen