How to Get Your Pet From Point A to Point B — Stress-Free

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Travel can be quite stressful. Whether you’re juggling a flight plan for an upcoming vacation or moving across state lines, there are a lot of logistics. Those challenges are compounded when you add a pet into the mix.

If you’re like most pet owners, you love your furry friend and consider them part of the family. You want them to be safe and comfortable during an extended period of travel. The question is how do you accomplish that without rearranging all of your plans and accommodations?

The good news is that you’re not the first pet owner that has fallen into this predicament. Thousands of pet owners before you have tried numerous strategies for pet travel. This article will outline the methods that have worked the best so you can get your pet from point A to point B stress-free.

Pet Transportation Services

Does your dog hate airplanes but you need to travel across the country? Is there no room to safely transport your cat in a packed U-Haul truck? There are numerous situations where a pet needs to be moved, but you may lack the capabilities to do so. If you find yourself in this dilemma, simply call up a pet transportation service.

Pet transport is as simple and effective as it sounds. A driver will arrive to pick up your pet. They will then take responsibility for its transport to your destination of choice. Throughout the journey, you can contact them to receive updates on your pet’s wellbeing and even receive photos at various checkpoints.

If your pet doesn’t do well on planes or your flight of choice doesn’t allow pets, this is a great compromise. You can catch your flight and wait for your pet to arrive via car. This is also helpful for families who are making a long move and have no room in their vehicles due to piles of boxes and belongings.

Pet-Friendly Airlines

Flying is a preferred form of travel for many because of how much faster it is than cross-country driving. A shorter trip is typically easier for your pet to manage. Luckily, there are a few airlines that are pet-friendly, allowing you to take your pet along for a flight.

Airlines that allow pets to travel include Southwest, American, United, and Delta airlines. However, take a moment to review each airline’s individual policies. Certain airlines might provide better accommodations for you and your pets specific travel needs. This will make your decision making, and your overall travel conditions, a lot easier.

Your responsibility as a pet owner here is twofold. First, you should be respectful of all airline rules and regulations concerning travel with pets. This is part of why it is important to do your research before selecting a flight. Second of all, be present for your pet and its needs throughout the journey. The more support you can actively give them, the more comfortable they will be.

Travel Training

You wouldn’t be doing your due diligence if you didn’t try to prepare your pet for extended travel. Especially when it’s their first long trip, you should do your best to get your furry friend ready for extended travel. This can be done by doing some travel training.

There are a few different approaches you can take to travel training. A common example is getting your pet acclimated to a carrier that will fit on a plane. Having them spend time in a new carrier for small periods of time will make it less of a shock for them when the day of travel arrives.

Another example would be taking your pet periodically to unfamiliar public places. This gives you teaching opportunities for managing themselves in locations that are new and loud, such as an airport. A test run at the outdoor mall or a very busy park will help you pinpoint the areas your pet needs to work on.

Break Up the Trip

A non-stop run of travel can really wear your pet down. Not to mention you’ll be tired from a full day of driving or scuttling through airport terminals too. Something you both will benefit from is breaking up the trip into more manageable pieces.

Let’s start with a road trip. Instead of trying to drive straight from the midwest to Vegas, pick a couple places in between for some small pit stops. Detour at a couple of parks to let your pet stretch their legs and get out some energy. You may even benefit from a little sight-seeing along the way.

Breaking up a plane trip is a little more challenging, but still possible. For example, during a layover, you can make it a point to do a couple of laps around the airport to get some energy out. You may even opt to book a connecting flight rather than one that is non-stop so that the trip is easier to endure.

The first long trip is usually the hardest. After some practice and experience, your pet will become a pro at traveling. They’ll become a more consistent travel buddy, or simply be more prepared for the next time you have to take a long drive.

Also Read: 5 Ways To Make Your Rental More Pet Friendly