Traveling with your Pet

 Traveling with your pet may be for fun or it may be a matter of necessity but with a little forward planning it will be much easier for everyone involved. First, make sure all of your animals are in good health. A health certificate is required if you are traveling across state lines and your vet can write one for you. Also, consider the destination. In places with lots of mosquitoes your pet may need heartworm prevention. Places with ticks means that your pet may need different vaccinations and tick preventive.
Planning for the trip is essential. Useful items to have on hand would include waterproof bags for soiled bedding, extra bedding, travel litter boxes and travel food and water dishes. My personal favorite item is a box of baby wipes, which are great for cleaning up little accidents and wiping up fur. If your pets are not already microchipped, this is the time!
If you are planning to travel by airplane it is strongly recommended that your pet travel with you in the cabin. It is difficult for airlines to provide safe travel in cargo, due to the real possibility of excessive heat or cold in the storage area under the plane. It may be necessary to pay an additional fee for your pet to travel in the cabin but the safety it provides is well worth the additional expense.
Some nervous pets may suffer from travel related nausea or extreme fear. Thankfully we’ve come a long way with pharmaceuticals and there are some excellent anti-nausea drugs on the market. There are also medications available for stressed pets, products ranging from pheromone emitting sprays and collars to tranquilizers that cause mild sedation and help take the edge off the fear.
No matter your destination, proper planning and preparation will give you and your pets a safe and exciting vacation! Happy Travels!
Please call Copper Hill Animal Clinic at 661-296-8848 to schedule an appointment.