Vacationing with Pets

Prepare: Always start off by ensuring you have a good plan for vacationing with your pet. Think about where you are going to go. Ensure that you verify that your lodging is pet friendly and if there are any restrictions (even if you are staying with family or friends).  Plan your route to include places to stop and potty if your pets need it or stretch their legs.

Understand: One of the important steps that people tend to forget is to train your pets to ride nicely in the car. Ensure that they are safely contained so that they aren’t trying to crawl into your lap for snuggles on the ride. No matter which option you choose, remember to take time to acclimate your pet to it. Know your pet as well, and understand that if they may be stressed for the trip, there is always an opportunity for you to have a conversation with your vet and see if there are any medications that may be helpful for them to have a more comfortable drive.

Plan: Remember to pack some essentials as well. Pet mess cleaner should always be brought along. Even if your pet never has accidents at home, it is easy for them to become stressed in a new environment or even find something that makes their stomachs upset. It is a good idea to bring along some blankets or spare sheets to cover furniture to keep fur from becoming embedded in the furniture. Bring poop bags, extra food, harnesses and collars with extra information, tie outs and kennels.

Start: Once you have the plans all in place and the car packed, it is time to relax and enjoy the trip! If you plan it right, both you and your pet can have lots of fun together on your vacation.