Traveling With Pets: Your Guide to Flying or Driving With a Furry Friend

Furry and loyal, our pets are integral members of our families. So when we embark on adventures, whether near or far, we want to bring our four-legged friends along for the journey. Like any aspect of pet ownership, preparing for long car or train rides, air travel, or hotel stays requires a bit of extra research and effort before departure day. Here’s everything you need to know about traveling with pets, including a pre-departure checklist and veterinarian-approved tips.

How to Prepare for Travel With Pets

Whether you're crossing the Atlantic or just state lines, there are essential precautions to take (and some products to consider) for your pet's health and safety. Some of these preparations can take months, so it’s best to get a head start.

Ensure Your Pet Is Properly Vaccinated

No matter if you’re traveling by train, plane, or car, or staying in a hotel or campground, vaccinations are crucial. Jeff Werber, D.V.M., the chief veterinary officer for Airvet Telemedicine, explains that there’s typically a core set of vaccines given in a series when your pet is young, followed by updates every three years. Your vet may recommend additional vaccines based on your location, lifestyle, and other factors. Since every vaccine has a different timeline for immunity, Dr. Werber advises informing your vet about your travel plans as soon as possible. If your destination poses a higher risk of exposure to diseases not common in the U.S., additional vaccinations may be necessary.

Often, your vet will issue a health certificate that will be checked when entering a new state or country, according to Dr. Jerry Klein, the chief veterinary officer of the American Kennel Club. In some cases, this certificate must be validated by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and may require a notary stamp for verification. This document is especially important for international travel; without it, your beloved pet may not be allowed entry into your destination country.

Consider Microchipping Your Pet

Losing a dog or cat in an unfamiliar place is every pet owner's worst nightmare. For peace of mind—and to meet requirements in some countries and states—Dr. Klein recommends microchipping your pet before traveling.

Your vet can perform this quick and simple procedure, linking the chip to your current contact information. "A tag is included with the microchip that has the microchip number and a mobile contact for the owner, so if the pet is found, they can use the tag to determine ownership without contacting a veterinarian," he adds.

Pack Extra Food

Keeping your pet’s food consistent while traveling is essential. Generally, it’s best not to feed your pet the morning of travel day to reduce the risk of nausea, advises Dr. Brian J. Bourquin, founder and chief medical officer at Boston Veterinary Clinic. He suggests measuring out your pet’s food and bringing enough for each day, plus some extra for unforeseen delays or changes in plans. And as every owner knows, there are never enough treats to reward good behavior or provide comfort, so be generous with them.

Tips for Traveling by Car

For some pets, there’s nothing quite as thrilling as a drive down a winding road, head out the window and tongue flapping in the wind. For others, the car signifies a scary experience, often associated with a trip to the groomer or vet. If you plan to take your furry friend on a road trip, here are some ways to make it as cozy and calm as possible.

Regularly Introduce Them to the Car

With puppies, the more you expose them to different aspects of your lifestyle, the more comfortable they will become. Mary R. Burch, PhD, certified applied animal behaviorist and family dog director at the American Kennel Club, suggests introducing your dog to the car early on. Here’s how:

1. Put the dog in the backseat for a few minutes, close the door, and stand outside.
2. Once the dog appears calm, reward it with a treat and let it out of the car.
3. Put it back in the car, get into the driver's seat while giving praise.
4. Start the engine and wait a few minutes.
5. Stop, and let everyone out of the car.

Once your dog is comfortable with this process, begin taking short trips around the block or to a nearby park. Reward good behavior with treats and a positive attitude.

Make Sure Your Pet Is Secure

While it may seem ideal to have your faithful companion snuggled in your lap for the entire ride, it’s not safe for you, other passengers, or your pet. Dr. Werber emphasizes that your pet must be properly restrained while in a moving vehicle. This could be through a harness that attaches to a seatbelt or an enclosed carrier. The crate your pet sleeps in is also a great option, as it’s familiar and comforting.

To make this more comfortable for your pet, bring along its favorite toys or chew sticks from home.

Plan for Pit Stops

Before packing up the car and hitting the road, travel expert Josh Viner likes to map out the drive to be aware of construction zones or heavy traffic and ensure his dog, Frankie, will have access to pit stops along the way. Every few hours, he recommends allowing your dog to stretch its legs, relieve itself, or run around to burn off nervous energy.

Products to Make Car Rides Easier

Harry Barker Kennel Club Food Storage Bag

This modern and sturdy food storage bag provides easy access to kibble while locking in freshness and preventing moisture from getting in.

K&H Pet Products Travel Safety Pet Carrier

This spacious carrier comes in three sizes and allows your pet to walk or roam around while remaining safely enclosed.

mumi Reusable Zip Up Food Storage Bags

Fill this washable, reusable bag with plenty of treats to give your pet a pick-me-up when needed.

Tips for Traveling by Train

Generally, your pet will need to be in a carrier to board a train. There are exceptions for service animals, but be prepared for your dog or cat to remain in an enclosed space for an extended period.

Make the Carrier a Happy Place

Your main task is to get your pet comfortable in a carrier, Dr. Burch advises. Start this process at home long before your departure day. Use a well-ventilated carrier with both a top and side opening so your pet can practice getting in and out. Begin by letting your pet smell the carrier, then lure it closer with treats. Gradually place your pet in the carrier, rewarding it with treats while it’s inside.

“When they’re comfortable, pick up the carrier and walk a few steps, then set it down and let them out,” she continues. “Work up to walking around the house with your dog in the carrier, then go outside and eventually into the car for short rides before progressing to the train ride.”

Visit the Train Station

If you've been to a train station before, you know that all the horns, voices, and activity can be overwhelming. This can be even more intimidating for an animal. Visit the train station with your pet before your trip. Dr. Burch suggests getting your pet used to the routine of walking down the steps to the train, along the platform, and back home.

Plan for Breaks

Understand that there may not be an opportunity for your pet to relieve itself during a train ride. Viner recommends talking to the staff to find out which stops will be best for your dog to get outside and take a break. Usually, these are stops in major cities, which pause longer than those in suburban or rural areas.

Products to Make Train Rides Easier

K9 Sport Sack Air Plus 2

If you're traveling alone and need to use the restroom, you may not want to carry your pet's large carrier into such a confined space. Instead, use a backpack dog carrier that allows you to keep your pet secure while you take care of business. Plus, this backpack is great for hikes and bike rides too.

First things first: All airlines have different restrictions regarding pet travel. Check the pet policy before booking your ticket so you understand the size restrictions for under-the-seat transportation and for cargo. Knowing exactly where your pet will go on a plane could save you a lot of headache and heartache at check-in. If your pet must travel in cargo, consult your vet for the right measures to take.

Practice Long Stays in the Carrier

Whether you have a larger dog traveling in cargo or a small dog in the cabin, you’ll need to teach your pet to tolerate and sleep in a crate or carrier for several hours, Dr. Burch says. Since you likely won’t have access to a plane to practice, you can recreate some of the experience. She recommends taking your pet to an outdoor restaurant and letting it nap in the carrier during your meal. Alternatively, have it stay with you at home in the carrier. The goal is to work up to a few hours so it’s not a new experience on the plane.

For an additional layer of exposure, try mimicking wind sounds with a sound machine or a loud fan to help your pet acclimate to the noise of takeoff, suggests Kait Hembree, VTS, CVT, KPA, CTP, head of training at GoodPup.

Pack Appropriately

Without the opportunity for breaks miles high in the air, Viner advises pet parents to ensure their pet’s carrier is stocked with all the necessities. This includes water, non-squeaking toys (to avoid annoying fellow passengers), and plenty of treats to help your pet feel at ease. Most importantly—don’t forget yourself!

“If your pet is stowed at your feet and becoming anxious, you can unzip their carrier occasionally to offer physical comfort or slip in a few more snacks,” he adds.

Check in Late

While you shouldn’t risk missing your flight, now isn’t the time to arrive excessively early at the airport. Instead, Hembree emphasizes the importance of giving your pets as much time out of the crate as possible before the flight. This helps them relieve themselves before boarding. Additionally, consider adding absorbent material, like pine shavings, in your crate when flying, so accidents are quickly absorbed. Plus, pine shavings will help your pet retain heat when the temperature drops at altitude.

Products to Make Flying With a Pet Easier

Sherpa Element Gray Dog Carrier

This soft and flexible carrier complies with most airlines and fits comfortably under the seat. The removable pad is machine washable for easy cleanup post-trip.

Arcadia Trail™ Collapsible Double Diner Travel Bowls

Keep one of these inside the carrier so your nervous pup can stay hydrated during the flight. Just like it’s taxing for us, it’s the same for our dogs, and having access to water is essential.

Smart Pet Love Snuggle Puppy Behavioral Aid Dog Toy

Comfort toys, like this cute one that resembles a pup, are excellent to have during stressful experiences. They provide a heartbeat sound, which can help your pet relax as it cuddles up to it.

Tips for Staying at a Hotel or Vacation Rental With Your Pet

Before confirming your Airbnb or hotel, read its pet policies. Some are completely pet-friendly, while others have size limitations, charge additional fees, or prohibit furry companions altogether. You never want to risk sneaking in your pet for fear of fines or being kicked out of the property. Once you find one that welcomes you and your animal, follow these tips to keep them happy.

Keep Their Routine Consistent

If you’re on vacation, you might want to sleep in, relax, and soak up the sun or hit the slopes. Your pup, however, thrives on routine. Dr. Werber suggests sticking to the usual feeding and walking schedule as much as possible. If you have space, bring along your pet’s most cherished belongings, including toys, bedding, and bowls.

Prioritize a Pet-Friendly Hotel

Pets are like children; instead of focusing solely on your needs from a hotel or rental property, consider their needs as well. Pet-friendly accommodations are more likely to provide everything you need for your dog, including in-room water bowls or dog beds. This may seem trivial, but these places will also smell like other pets, which is comforting for your furry friend.

Viner also suggests opting for a booking that offers access to green spaces or a beach, so pets can easily get the exercise they need.

Leave the Television On When You're Gone

If you plan to leave your dog in your hotel room, Dr. Burch recommends leaving the television on and providing the dog with something to do in the crate, like a toy stuffed with a treat. Consider the purpose of your trip, too. "If you will be gone all day and evening while your dog is in a hotel room alone for 12 or 14 hours, your dog might be more comfortable at home with a pet sitter," she adds.

Products to Bring to Your Hotel or Rental

Best Friends by Sheri The Original Calming Bed

Easy to pack for a trip, this calming dog bed is perfect for a hotel stay. It's super soft, comes with a blanket, and will help any place feel warmer and more welcoming for your pet.