Need a Vacation in the Sun? Here’s How to Bring Your Pet Along

It’s no secret how much Americans love their pets. Almost 90.5 million families have a beloved cat, dog, or even ferret in their home. In fact, this number has actually skyrocketed by almost 60 percent since 1988. Dogs are by far the most popular pet—two-thirds of Americans have a pup in their home. The second most popular choice? The sassy and lovable cat, which over 40 percent of households have in their home.

As pet ownership becomes more widespread, services like pet insurance, fun grooming options, and even travel are now offered by fellow pet-lovers. One of the toughest things about going on vacation is having to leave pets behind. But what if you didn’t have to?

Nowadays, more and more hotels, vacation rentals, and travel agencies are going pet friendly. In fact, three-quarters of luxury, mid-scale, and economy hotels allow pets with limited to no additional fees for pet owners. Some of these hotels include the Four Seasons, Kimpton, Best Western, the Ace Hotel, Hotel Indigo, and the Red Roof Inn. Vacation rental services, such as AirBnB, also provide pet owners with the option to search for places to stay that allow pets.

With so many options for pet owners, it’s easier now than ever to plan a great vacation for you and your pet. But before you book your dream hotel, make dinner reservations, and get those plans ready to go, the first question is: how will your furry friend get there? Of course, traveling by car just means putting Fido in a cozy crate or in the backseat. But what about international trips or cross-country travel?

Although COVID-19 has all of us home-bound, once this passes, even the furry members of our family will be itching to get out and explore. Check out our handy guide below to learn everything you’ll need to know about traveling with your pet, including required veterinary care, traveling the day-of, and tips and tricks for everything in-between.

Traveling 101: What to Prepare

Traveling with pets requires lots of preparation before the big day. Both trains and planes commonly require proof of up-to-date shots. They also may have breed restrictions, requirements around when a pet can travel with you at your seat, and vaccination requirements.

First and foremost, always check with the airline, bus, or train company prior to booking a ticket. Most companies have a pet policy with instructions for travelers and deadlines. Never buy a ticket for a trip where you plan to travel with your pet before checking first.

Note that some companies may require you to make a separate airline, ticket, or bus reservation for your pet. For example, airlines will not allow pets on flights any longer than 11 hours and thirty minutes. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, animals should have water every 12 hours. If you are on a long international flight, be sure to book flights that leave enough time for water, bathroom breaks, and food.

There may also be restrictions as to where pets may fly and enter a state or country. For example, pets flying to a country in the European Union (EU) must travel as checked baggage and may not travel as a “carry-on”. They must also have a vaccination card and a microchip or tattoo.

On the other hand, pets traveling to Japan are only permitted to fly carry-on, must have a microchip and vaccination card, and pass inspection by the Japanese Animal Quarantine Service. While part of the United States, the State of Hawaii only allows animals to enter through the Honolulu airport, where they are subject to a mandatory 30-day quarantine. With so many different rules, it’s important to check with the company you plan to travel with to see restrictions, shot/vaccine requirements, and whether your pet must be microchipped. A health certificate from your veterinarian may also be required. They will make sure your pet is able to travel safely and satisfy the requirements for wherever your destination is. It is not recommended that older pets or those with pre-existing illness fly.

Prior to purchasing your ticket, check with the airline, bus, or train company to see which vaccines or shots your pet may need to get before traveling. The United States Centers for Disease Control has information about shot and vaccine requirements that are based on the country you are traveling from.

While age and vaccine requirements depend on the origin country’s rabies risk, dogs generally must be at least eight weeks old to be allowed to travel.Those traveling from a “high-risk country” or an area that may have a higher number of dogs with rabies due to lack of widespread rabies vaccination, have slightly stricter requirements. Dogs traveling from high-risk areas must be at least 16 weeks old and have proof of receiving a rabies shot before traveling into the United States.

While service animals may fly with no charge, there are typically fees for pets flying as carry-on or checked baggage. These fees range from $125 to $200. Furthermore, when a dog flies with a passenger as carry on, they are typically required to bring them in an approved airline carrier kennel. These carriers can typically be stowed under the seat in front of you and must meet kennel guidelines, so your pet can safely stand and sit up while traveling. Have a pet that doesn’t have those kinds of dimensions? You may have to fly your pet as checked baggage or avoid flying with them all together.

Pets flying as checked baggage must be in a hard-backed kennel secured with bolts and zipties (for the escape artists out there). It must also have three panels of ventilation for domestic travel and four panels of ventilation for international travel, as well as leak proof and with a secure door that fastens. Last but not least? Enough food and water for 24 hours, just in case your flight gets delayed. Note that airline carriers generally do not allow “brachycephalic” or snub-nosed dogs (pitbulls, french bulldogs. etc.) to fly in the baggage claim as checked baggage. Instead, travelers must bring these pets as carry-on.

Day-Of Travel Survival Guide

So you’ve done everything you need to do to prepare: received a health certificate from your veterinarian, double-checked every requirement, completed any required notification or pre-registration for inspection or quarantine at your destination, and gotten the right kennel for your pet to travel safely and in style.

First things first, make sure you arrive at the airport, bus terminal, or train station with ample time. Most airlines require those checking pets to contact the reservations desk at least 48 hours prior to travel. Contrary to popular belief, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA) does not recommend giving pets sedatives or tranquilizers before flying. Altitude pressures can cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems in pets, which sedatives and tranquilizers can make worse. Stick to the things they love, like toys and blankets, to help them stay calm. Encouragement and caresses always help too!

Pet owners checking baggage must check-in at the ticket counter several hours before their flight (though check-in typically starts no earlier than four hours before). Beforehand, set-up their approved hard-backed kennel with their favorite blanket, toys, food, and water. Make sure you bring enough medication and food for your trip, as well as a three-day surplus just in case.

You should also feed your pet before getting to the airport, taking them on a long walk so they can go to the bathroom and work off energy before the flight. During that time, you will go over a list with a ticket agent about your pet and provide them a health certificate. After that, your pet will be checked and taken to the baggage area.

For those traveling with a pet as a carry on, be sure to deck out your pet’s approved carrier with their favorite toys and blankets. Be sure to bring their leash and/or harness, as well as enough food for your trip (plus three-day surplus), ample water for the flight, a portable water and food bowl, any medications, poop bags, and lots of love.

Feed your pet before the flight, as well as take them on an ample walk beforehand to go to the bathroom and get out their energy. Most airports and ground transportation terminals (i.e., buses and trains) have places for pets to go to the bathroom, either outside or on artificial turf. If your flight has layovers, they are a great time to exercise your pet and take a bathroom break. Once you land, be sure to complete required declarations or inspections once you get to your destinations. Bon Voyage!

Animal Travelers to Follow

Looking for some inspiration to get the creative juices going for your next trip? Look no further than the pet travel bloggers below!

Django and Chloe
The inseparable duo, Django and Chloe, are four-year old pups whose parents take them on all kinds of exciting travels around the globe! While their homebase is in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, this pair has already traveled to the United States, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Austria, Sweden, and France. Check their Instagram account out for beautiful landscapes and the cutest friends in the world!

Traveling Chapati
Looking for a bit of adventure? Join Chapati, the rescued Indian Native dog globetrotting around the world with his Ukranian owners, Kristina Masalova and Eugene Petrus. A seasoned traveler, Chapati has been to Italy, Sweden, Poland, and even Thailand!

Burma the Adventure Cat
Not one to let dogs have all the fun, Burma—a self-described “brown cat”—is a fearless explorer based in Southern Oregon. When she’s not enjoying the spectacular beauty of the Pacific Northwest, Burma and her owner travel across the United States. She’s been everywhere from Mount Shasta in California to Acadia National Park in Maine—a total of 31 states in all!