Traveling with your pet means taking your best friend wherever you go. For animal lovers, there’s no such thing as spending too much time with your pet. However, you should start planning as soon as you decide to take your pet on your next adventure with you. You’ll need to pack for your pet just like you would for yourself. Here are the pet travel essentials you should never leave home without.
Microchip
A microchip isn’t something you need to pack with you, but you might want to consider having one implanted in your pet before you travel so your pet can be found and identified if he or she gets lost.
Microchips work by containing an ID number that should be registered with an agency so your contact information can be found by the ID. If your pet gets lost and ends up at a vet or animal shelter, they can scan the chip and get your ID and information so you can be contacted.
Pet Passport
A pet passport, certified by your vet, indicates your pet is healthy and up to date on vaccinations so he or she can travel. While the prospect of your dog or cat having a passport sounds adorable, it’s also an important item to have if you plan on bringing your pet on a plane. Your pet passport doesn’t have a photo of your pet, but you should make sure to bring one along just in case your pet gets lost.
Pet passports are not necessary if you’re traveling within the United States, but they can be useful when traveling overseas. In some places, pet passports might be necessary to ensure the authorities your pet is healthy and won’t spread illness to other dogs.
Before you travel overseas with your dog, research where you’re going to determine the pet import rules so you know exactly what documentation to bring with you. You can also contact the U.S. Embassy in the country where you’re traveling to learn more about bringing your pet overseas.
Anxiety Medication
Traveling gives many pets anxiety. While your pup might have a great time on a short drive, being stuck in the car or on another mode of transportation for hours can give them unnecessary stress. You’ll typically notice your dog getting stressed when he or she begins excessively panting. Many dogs even shake or whine.
There’s no reason for your pet to feel anxiety when traveling. You can help them feel more comfortable no matter where you’re going and how you’re getting there with pet anxiety meds that can help them relax and enjoy the ride.
Portable Litter Boxes
If you’re bringing your cat on an adventure, then you need to make sure they have somewhere to go potty. If you’re traveling by car with a dog, then you know that you have to make regular pit stops. Traveling with a cat is a little bit different. Luckily, you can bring your cat’s toilet with you by purchasing a portable litter box that folds for easy storage. You’ll throw the contents of the litter box away as soon as your cat is done.
Toys
Wherever you go with your pet, they’re going to need mental stimulation. Even if you take your dog on regular walks or hikes to keep them active, they still need something to do when you’re in your hotel room. Make sure you bring along your pet’s favorite toys so they have something to do and don’t feel too homesick. Change is difficult for animals, so bringing along the things they love can help them adjust.
First Aid-Kit
You never know what can happen when traveling with your pets, so it’s always best to prepare. If something happens to your pet, it’s always best to be prepared so you can help them start feeling better as soon as possible. There are a variety of different pet first-aid kits available online.
Remember, though, if your pet is hurt, a first aid kit isn’t meant to replace a vet. If your dog or cat gets sick or injured while you’re traveling, try to find the nearest vet as soon as possible. You can even prepare ahead of time by finding vets in the area where you’re traveling and bringing along your pet’s vaccination and medical records just in case.
Travel Bowls
The odds are you’re bringing a water bottle to keep yourself hydrated while traveling, so make sure your pet can take a sip when they’re thirsty as well. A collapsible water bowl can be goes almost anywhere and brought out so you can share some of your refreshing water with your best friend.
ID Tags
When your pet is at home, it may not be necessary for him or her to wear a collar with ID tags at all times. However, you should put your pet’s collar and ID tags on whenever you’re traveling just in case he or she gets lost. In addition to your pet’s regular name and phone number tag, consider getting a tag with contact information, rabies tags, and travel tags.
Pet Wipes
If your pet doesn’t enjoy taking a bath, then you might already use pet wipes to keep him or her clean in between those bath time struggles. Pet wipes are an essential travel item because you never know what types of messes your pet can get into. If you let your dog out to do his or her business while traveling in the car, they may find a big puddle of mud to play around in, so it’s always best to be prepared .
Collars, Harnesses & Leashes
Your daily pet essentials should also be your pet travel essentials. Any items you use with your pet every day will need to be pack such as collars, harnesses, and leashes. If you’re traveling with a dog, you’ll need to keep them close to you at all times, so make sure they’re wearing a comfortable collar or harness they can wear all day long.
If you’re traveling with a cat or small dog, you’ll likely need to keep them in a pet carrier for only the duration of your journey.
Traveling with Pets
Traveling with your best friend can be exciting for both of you. Your pet loves spending time with you, so why not include them on your next adventure? Traveling with pets is easy as long as you plan and make sure to pack them everything they need to be happy and healthy.
Marné Amoguis holds a B.A. in International Business from UC San Diego. She is a contributing writer at 365businesstips.com where she loves sharing her passion for digital marketing. Outside of writing, she loves traveling, playing music, and hiking.
Cover Credit: Photo by Rachel Claire from Pexels
