Make sure your pet is prepared for their next trip with these travel tips! And wherever you’re headed, we hope you have a doggone purrfect vacation.
Schedule a pre-travel checkup. Before any trip, especially longer road trips or flights, it’s a good idea to bring your pet in for a wellness exam to confirm they’re healthy enough to travel and that their vaccinations and preventatives are current.
Secure your pet in the vehicle. A loose pet in a moving car can be a serious distraction and a safety hazard in the event of an accident. Use a properly fitted harness, secured carrier, or pet seatbelt to keep your pet safe during car travel.
Pack the essentials. Bring enough food, water, medications, and any comfort items your pet needs, along with a copy of their medical records in case you need to see a veterinarian while away from home.
Update identification before you go. Unfamiliar environments increase the risk of a pet becoming lost, so make sure your pet’s collar, ID tags, and microchip information are all current before you leave.
Never leave your pet in a parked car. Temperatures inside a vehicle can become dangerous within minutes, even with the windows cracked, so never leave your pet unattended in a car, especially during warmer months.
Research pet policies ahead of time. If you’re staying at a hotel, rental, or visiting family, confirm pet policies in advance, and look up nearby emergency veterinary clinics at your destination just in case.
Watch for signs of travel stress. Some pets experience anxiety or motion sickness during travel. If your pet has struggled with this before, talk to our team ahead of time about options that may help make the trip more comfortable.
If you have questions about travel preparations for your pet, or need copies of their medical records before a trip, call San Juan Veterinary Hospital at (505) 326-2205. Safe travels!