Traveling with pets – Cautions to know

It will be simple when you have outings with relatives and friends, but not anymore when your journey includes the presence of a dog or any other pet. Planning a vacation with your pet requires more thoughtfulness and meticulousness than a regular vacation.

1. Evaluate your pet’s stamina while traveling

Do not find your dog likes to drive around in the city and assume that he will also enjoy long trips. In fact, active dogs don’t like being trapped in cars for hours. What will you do if you go half way, your pet suddenly gets excited … wants to get off the bus and wants to go home?

So, before deciding to take your dog on the journey with you, you need to understand its stamina when traveling long distances, not to mention meeting the dense travel schedule. If not, you will find it very troublesome because it takes a long time to comfort the dog, and the whole group is accidentally forced to rely on the dog to schedule a outing.

2. Buy car insurance (regardless of whether it’s your rental car or your own car)

Some car rental companies allow you to leave your pet in the car, but they will charge a very high fee for cleaning the dog’s hair from the car and repairing the damage that your dog will cause later. .

Therefore, you should buy insurance for the car that will accompany you on the trip. This way, you will get a part of the loss if your dog accidentally causes damage to the car.

In case you don’t want to buy car insurance, think about how to minimize the risks posed by the pet. For example, you can put him in a carton / foam box, plastic container, or a nest liner for him to lie down. To do this, you will need to agree with the owner of the vehicle that you are allowed to bring pets in the vehicle.

3. Always have travel insurance and understand what is covered

Travel insurance is indispensable for any trip. It gives you a sense of peace of mind because you are protected everywhere at all times. But there is one policy in which pet travelers need to be aware: pet travel insurance only applies to ADA ‘service animals’ (service animals are dogs). are individually trained to perform tasks or serve / support a person with a disability). This means that if your dog becomes ill prior to the trip, it will not be considered a covered reason for the cancellation.

However, travel insurance can still assist in some situations when you are traveling with a pet. Let’s say you paid a $ 150 pet fee at your destination, but later canceled the trip for an insured reason. The trip cancellation benefit can then reimburse you for these prepaid costs.

Or, if you have an emergency while traveling, you can call the 24 hour support hotline. The hotline specialists will do their best to ensure that both you and your pet are taken care of. For example, they will refer pets to reputable inpatient facilities if you become ill / injured in hospital.

Note, however, that insured travelers are responsible for all expenses associated with special services, such as flight tickets for pets.

Keep your dog healthy before traveling: How long will my puppy poop worms after deworming

4. Safety comes first when you drive with your dog

Your dog cannot tell you when it is too hot, too cold or tired or thirsty. Therefore, keeping your dog safe depends entirely on your knowledge and experience. When there is a puppy in the car, make sure it is secured with seat belts, cartons …

Don’t let it stick your head out a window, nor leave it alone in the car when you lock it out, even for a moment. Besides, need to pay attention to its manifestation, you will know if it is healthy or having a problem.

5. If you fly with your dog, plan carefully

Flying is definitely not something pets like, but there are many things you can do to make your dog’s flight more comfortable. Invest in a good travel case (hard side if your dog is in the cargo hold, soft side if it’s small enough to board with you).

Another thing you need to do is visit your veterinarian for a pet health certificate prior to boarding, as well as carefully read the airline’s policy on flying with pets (including restrictions. about the weight and breed of the dog, quarantine requirements, pet’s items…).

6. Know the difference between hotels that allow dogs to stay in and hotels that are actually dog-friendly

These days, traveling with dogs has become popular. Therefore, it is not difficult to find hotels that allow visitors to bring dogs. But you’ll find some hotels reluctantly accept that, with strict pet size limits as well as the breed of dog you can bring.

Therefore, if you want a truly puppy-friendly vacation, look for a hotel where puppies are warmly welcomed. According to the American Dog Breed Club, some of the most dog-friendly hotel chains include:

– Motel 6: unlimited weight and no pet fee, plus a maximum of two pets per room.

– Four Seasons: pet care with a dog bed and a bowl full of food at no extra charge.

– Kimpton Hotels: A place that offers luxurious amenities for pets.

Marriott Hotels: home to more than 1,500 dog-friendly locations across the portfolio of hotel brands.

Another tip for you is to choose a ground floor room when traveling with a pet. Because, some dogs are afraid of elevators, and moving up and down several times a day is a nightmare for them.

See more: Why do dogs like being pet

7. Reduce the chance that the dog will get lost

Stray pets can happen when you take them to an unfamiliar city. At this point, it is necessary to attach a positioning chip to the dog. There are companies that will not only help you install chips for your dog, but also give you advice if your dog runs away.

Before starting your journey, you need to do this right away, and do not forget to bring some pictures of the puppy in case the worst happens.

8. Check if the dog is welcome at the destination

This advice applies to wherever you stop on your itinerary: hotels, parks and other public places. If you go to the beach, check to see if the place you’re going to is going to ban dogs. If you visit the large parks, be sure to see if there is a comfortable dog entry or only a few trails.

Knowing carefully about the regulations of the attractions will help you not feel awkward when you fall into the “good” position. Besides, when you do research first, you will also choose pet-friendly destinations.