Traveling and pets: Important things to consider

Tips and suggestions for you and your pet to enjoy the most anywhere.

Whenever you travel, there are many aspects to consider while organizing those days which will help you quit the routine and enjoy some deserved holidays: the budget, the place, and the time you will spend. If you have pets, there are more things to add to the list: Do I take them with me? Do we travel on plane or by car? If they do not travel with me, who will take care of them?

To clarify your doubts and make you have some peaceful holidays, we ideally recommend looking for advice about everything that your dog or cat may need. To start thinking about your holidays, read carefully the following tips:

If you travel with your pet:
• Ask your Vet to reinforce internal and external deparasite treatments, update your pet’s vaccination plan, and look for advice on the necessary vaccines if you travel abroad.
• For any urgency, investigate which is the closest pet shop at the place where you are going to visit or stay during your holidays.
• If your pet needs a tranquilizer to travel, ask your Vet in advance for the options available and the corresponding doses.
• Avoid feeding them 2 hours before traveling (on plane or by car), since some pets suffer nauseas because of the movement.
• Protect your dog from beats by using Spray Protech every time he goes to, or comes back from, the beach, or from any walk.
• Look for pet-friendly places to enjoy more time together without worries.
• Avoid drastic diet changes. For this, find out if you can get the same type and brand of balance food at your holiday destination, or make sure taking enough food for all the trip.
• If necessary, have their hair cut some days before to keep them comfortable.

When traveling by car:
• Fasten the pretal (not the collar) to the special seat belt for pets, so that they travel over the seat.
• Another option is to carry your pet inside travel cages, always fastened to the traditional seat belt.
When traveling on plane:
• You should have an updated Vaccination Certificate Against Rabies, and the pet’s Sanitary Book indicating all the respective vaccines, and internal and external deparasite treatments up to date.
• Show your pet’s Health Certificate updated and signed by your Vet whenever you travel.
• Ask the airline about the requirements for pet travel, since they may vary among different companies.
• In every country, there are specific authorities in charge of controlling the entry and exit of pets. Get informed in advance of the requirements and the necessary documentation you should carry, since there may be changes year by year, and they may vary according to the destination.

If your pet stays home:
• If someone takes care of your pet during your absence, facilitate the living with them. Remember explaining the sitter everything you consider important, from your Vet’s information to such special features that make your pet unique.
• Control that your pet’s vaccines, and internal and external deparasite treatments are up to date. Otherwise, ask your Vet to update your pet’s sanitary plan.
• Reinforce their vaccines and deparasite treatments, since due to the stress, they may be more likely to get ill.
• Make sure that you leave enough balanced food (according to the necessary portion consumed per day), medicines, sanitary little stones, etc., until you get back.
• If your pet stays in a boarding cattery, visit the place and check the facilities (rest areas, leisure areas, shelter, etc.). Find out in advance about the requirements for pets’ admission.

Remember: in case of any doubt, ask your Vet.