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The holiday season is a time for celebrations and fun. It might also entail preparing the family for a road trip or a flight. Many families want to include their pet in their holiday plans, and fortunately, there are methods to make holiday travel safer and less stressful for you and your furry companions. Check out the holiday travel tips for pets below to ensure safe and happy travels for you and your four legged friends.

Consult your veterinarian about your vacation plans.
Make sure your pet is healthy and in good enough condition to travel. Tell your vet how you’ll be traveling (plane, train, car) and where you’ll be going, especially if this is not just your pet’s first trip with you, but also your first journey with a pet. In addition to ensuring that your pet is fit to fly, your veterinarian may provide advice and treatment for pests and vehicle sickness.

Get the appropriate pet restraints and carriers.
Pet crates or carriers are a terrific method to keep your pet safe while traveling, and they are required for some types of transportation. As much as we all love having our smaller pets on our laps, it might endanger the pet, the driver, and the people travelling with you. Use a pet harness or make sure you have the right carrier for your pet. This is your pet’s safe haven, where they can relax. Get your pet’s carrier or cage as soon as possible and make it secure, safe, and familiar to them.

Plan ahead.
Any good vacation requires preparation. Make your airline arrangements as soon as possible because airlines have a maximum number of pets each flight. The number of pet rooms offered at a hotel might be limited as well. Also keep in mind that pet’s may need extra time to relieve themselves so work this into your travel schedule. Unforeseen circumstances may also arise so consider this when planning out your route or arrival time.

Research alternatives to travelling with your pet.
As much as we may like to have our pets along with us for the holidays, their comfort, safety and routine should be a top priority. What may seem like a good time to us, may be overwhelming to our pets. With this in mind, research pet resorts in your hometown or where you will be arriving to accommodate your pet better during the holiday season. Allowing a professional facility to care for your pet will not only give you peace of mind, but allow your pet to enjoy accommodations made especially for them.

Traveling to or from Houston? Check out Meadowlake Pet Resort & Training Center for your pet care needs!

Happy Holidays!