Traveling with Your Best Friend
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Pet Column for the week of June 23, 1997
Office of Public Engagement
2001 S. Lincoln Ave.
Urbana, Illinois 61802
Phone: 217/333-2907
By Theresa A. Fuess, Ph.D.
Information Specialist
University of Illinois
College of Veterinary Medicine
Pets can be excellent traveling companions. A pet always agrees on which sight to see next.
A pet actually enjoys the diversion of taking a wrong turn. A pet provides an easy topic of
conversation when meeting new people. You can express your appreciation for all this by
making the trip safe and comfortable for your pet.
"First, be sure your pet is in good health," advises Dr. Sheila McCullough, a veterinarian formerly at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine at Urbana. "A checkup with your veterinarian will ensure that your pet's
vaccinations are up-to-date and that your pet is hardy enough to take on the stress of
travel. You can also obtain vaccination and health certificates and copies of your pet's
medical records from your vet if they are required for your travels.
"Second, be sure your pet is welcome, both en route and upon arrival," she says. "Several
travel books list hotels, bed and breakfasts, campsites, and parks that welcome pets.
Airlines, busses, and trains that allow pets have varying regulations regarding reservations
and fees for pet passengers, health and vaccination certificates, and travel cage
specifications. It is a good idea to call in advance and verify that pets are allowed."
On road trips, constrain your pet by a pet seat belt, in a travel cage, or in another person's
lap. This will prevent eye injuries to heads sticking out of windows, loss of the pet that bolts
out of the car door at a rest stop, or the unfortunate accident that occurs when a startled
pet climbs on the driver's head or under the brake pedal. Be sure that within the constraint
your pet has sufficient room to stretch out and move around.
If your pet is unaccustomed to travel by car, take it on several short local trips for practice.
If necessary, ask your vet for tranquilizers to help your pet relax. Withhold food for 6 hours
before traveling and limit time in the car for pets that get motion sickness.
Plan your schedule so as not to stress the pet. Periodically let it relieve itself. Avoid leaving
your pet alone in the car. If you must do so, put the car in a shady spot, leave the windows
open two or three inches, and check on the animal periodically. Always provide access to
plenty of fresh water.
Out-of-state travelers should have pet health and vaccination certificates available for
inspection. Out-of-country travelers should call the local embassy of the country of
destination, at least a month in advance, for information on pet travel. Some countries
require only health and vaccination certificates. Some require a six-month quarantine of
animals, making a vacation with a pet prohibitive.
Dr. McCullough offers the following check-list when packing for your pet:
water from home in gallon jugs for finicky pets who don't like the unfamiliar taste of water in
a new place,
plenty of your pet's usual food, enough for an unexpected extended stay; a change in food
can cause diarrhea and intestinal problems,
enough of your pet's medications for an extended stay (you may not be able to obtain refills
out of your home state) and your veterinarian's phone number,
identification of the animal on its collar or on a micro chip or tattoo,
car pet seat belts, cages, and portable fencing/confinement,
leash, collar, harness, halter,
litter and litter box or plastic clean-up bags,
grooming supplies, including tweezers for daily tick removal for pets that will be hiking and
veterinary-approved ear wash for pets that will be swimming,
rabies tag, rabies certificate, health certificate, and copies of health records if your pet has a
particular medical problem.
Once you've experienced the pleasure of a pet's company on vacation adventures, you'll
want to be able to do it again. Practicing good pet owner courtesy is the best way to keep
the welcome mat out. Never leave your pet alone in a hotel room, where lonely cries will
annoy other travelers, or at a campsite where it can taunt or be taunted by wildlife and other
campers. Clean up behind your pet at camp sites, at rest stops, on walks and hikes, and
everywhere you go. And always keep your pet on a leash--think of it as holding your heart
in your hand.