Traveling WITH Pets

I have a dog named NY, short for New York, pronounce it N-Y, and he travels 60% of the time with me. The past ten years, NY has traveled via airplanes, train, bus, vehicle, and I have mastered traveling with my dog. From making the dog feel comfortable to emergencies, here is what you need to know!

Before My Travels

Before I travel with NY, he usually does fasting, and I do not feed him any heavy meals 6 hours before our travels. It may sound like I am starving my dog, but I am not, especially if I provide him a light meal before the 6 hours, and I make sure he has done his business before the travels start. After I arrive at my destination, you best believe my dog has a lovely cooked or restaurant meal on arrival. That is my treat because traveling can be just as stressful to your pet as it may be for you when traveling with them.

Things to have for your pets before and during travels

All paperwork: with vaccines, the pets veterinary information, all required service animal paperwork. Please have all your vaccines up to date!

Airline Pet Policies: Before you fly with any airlines, check their pet policies. If you have a service animal, call ahead of time days, even weeks to inform the airline that you are traveling with your pet or a service animal with you. My airlines of preferences when traveling with my dog because of their outstanding service for pets are Jet Blue, Virgin America, and United Airlines.

Extra dog bags and paper towels: accidents happen, therefore have extra dog bags to pick up poop and baby wipes or towels to soak up any mess. Pets are just like kids, so if your dog has an accident at the airport, keep cool, calm, and collected, pick that shit up and act like it is normal, and nothing happened.

Water bottle: dogs get dehydrated quickly. Make sure you bring a water bottle and a bowl to feed them water during the travels. Especially if the dog has not eaten for a while, a water bottle and water is a must toto

Correct leach to have full control: When you are the airport, you will find other dogs. No matter how trained they are, dog confrontation is inevitable. Ensure you have the right collar or harness where you have full control of your pet in case of a friendly barking, mood swings happen, and dogs like to show off and claim who the alpha is.

Blanket: Believe it, or not a little blanket can help your pet with the stress of traveling. Just putting it down in an area where the pet can rest will encourage your pet to lay down and calm down; because it is going to be a long ride!

Pet Hotel Policy: Make sure you know the pet policies where ever you are staying. First, check to see if your pet is allowed and ask about their pet policy options.

Pet Relief Areas