7 Common Pet Travel Mistakes To Avoid This Holiday Season

Many animal lovers feel their pets are family members, so it’s not surprising that cats and dogs are often part of holiday travel plans. In fact, Kinship research found that 54% of U.S. pet owners plan to travel with pets this holiday season.

Planning ahead is the key to making holiday travel with pets as safe and fun as possible, according to Michael Q. Bailey, DVM, DACVR, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association .

So here are seven common pet travel mistakes to avoid over the holidays.

Pet Travel Mistake No. 1:

Not using a pet safety harness or carrier in cars. To avoid injury, dogs and cats can be comfortably secured in car seats, harnesses that attach to seat belts or in pet carriers. “Never travel with your pet in an open pickup bed,” he noted.

Pet Travel Mistake No. 2:

Scheduling a pre-travel vet visit at the last minute. When traveling internationally by airplane , pets typically need a heath certificate from an accredited veterinarian. Whether traveling domestically or abroad, pets should be up to date on vaccinations, and it takes a couple of weeks for immunity to fully develop (bring shot records in case hotels, boarding or grooming facilities require them).

Dr. Bailey noted that veterinarians can also make recommendations for pets with anxiety issues, from prescription medications or supplements to pheromone sprays and pet acoustic devices, like portable speakers that play calming music designed for pets. When trying a new travel medication, have your pet try it at home several days before traveling to avoid any adverse reactions happening while on the road — or up in the air.

Pet Travel Mistake No. 3:

Not making sure the destination is truly pet friendly. Some hotels have weight restrictions for pets or only allow a certain number of animals. Holiday hosts can spark surprises, too — so make sure ahead of time that your pet is as welcome in a relative’s home as you think they should be. “Don’t assume,” Dr. Bailey said. “Confirm.”

Pet Travel Mistake No. 4:

Forgetting to pet-proof the destination. “When you do get there, make sure that it’s pet safe,” Dr. Bailey said. “That includes making sure they can’t get into the cabinets, they can’t get into the garbage cans, that they’re not going to fall down a blind staircase.”

Keep an eye out for toxic plants for pets like poinsettias and mistletoe, which can cause vomiting and other issues, and make sure chocolates and other toxic treats are put away where pets can’t reach them.

Pet proofing can also mean briefing family members about dietary restrictions, such as asking them to avoid feeding table scraps to your dog or cat to avoid stomach upset — or worse, pancreatitis — so you don’t spend the holidays in an emergency animal hospital.

Pet Travel Mistake No. 5:

Changing their routine. If your dog expects a walk at a certain time each day, try to do that on vacation. Keep mealtimes the same as well. “This keeps the pet on an even keel because when their routine goes out of whack, they start getting anxious,” Dr. Bailey said. To further reduce anxiety, create a safe area in a room with a dog or cat bed, water bowl, toys and other comfort items — without access to holiday lights or decorations.

Pet Travel Mistake No. 6:

Bringing a pet who would be happier staying at home. Dr. Bailey hopes people will truly consider whether their pet would be better off in a boarding facility or with a pet sitter. “Sometimes that’s more restful for the pet than going with you,” he noted.

Pet Travel Mistake No. 7:

Not having your contact information registered with a microchip registry. Microchips, a small device about the size of a grain of rice implanted between a pet’s shoulder blades, offer the best chance of being reunited with a lost or stolen pet. But the chip is useless if the microchip number is not registered with a registry (such as PetLink or AKC Reunite ), along with details like your pet’s name, your name, and your current phone number and email address.

Most shelters , animal hospitals, police and fire stations have microchip scanners that make it easy to scan a pet for a microchip and then see the owner’s contact information pop up. But you can help prevent your pet going missing by always keeping them on leash whenever you’re outside while traveling, Dr. Bailey noted.

Ultimately, avoiding common pet travel mistakes should help ensure the holidays are not just safe but happy for the entire family.

“It’s just like traveling with children,” Dr. Bailey said. “It really comes down to planning.”

By Jen Reeder, Contributor