Aditi Pai

 Important Travel Tips & Advice For Traveling with Your Fur Baby After a long and hectic schedule, I’m finally going on a trip to France with my son. But he’s not an ordinary child. For a two-year-old, he’s bright as a whip and can run faster than most toddlers I’ve ever known. And I don’t think many toddlers like chicken liver and sweet potatoes for breakfast! If you haven’t guessed it yet, I’m talking about taking a solo trip with my furry baby, Loki. He’s a rambunctious and inquisitive Golden Retriever. Like me, Loki loves to travel. Until recently, we’ve only taken short trips. Most of these were road trips, lasting for two weeks at a time. Loki and I love them. It’s definitely a break from city life and who doesn’t love to run freely in the open country (we both jog by the way). Most people shudder at the thought of traveling alone, but I’d have to disagree. Traveling alone awakens the existentialist in me. And thanks to Loki, I always feel there’s company- a kind of guardian angel if that makes sense? After taking so many short trips together, I figured Loki would love taking this overseas trip with me (from the U.S.). In fact, most dogs love traveling. However, let’s not forget that it can be a stressful experience for both dog and owner, especially if there’s no preparation. A little advanced planning will make this new journey memorable, comfortable, and safe for you and your fur baby. So here are some travel tips and suggestions I follow with Loki. I’ve grouped them into two sections- pre-travel and travel. Pre-Travel 1.Prior Training Before taking the big plane ride to Hawaii, I suggest taking a few short trips with your pet. This will familiarize them with riding in a vehicle. Gradually, change these short trips into long-distance traveling. Slow and progressive exposure helps reduce your pooch’s anxiety (and yours as well). Before planning my trip to France, I took Loki on at least 8 different mini vacations. They started off with half a day away from home to traveling by road for up to two weeks. 2. Collect Necessary Documents Like humans, pets must have travel documents. Most airlines will require the following: Your pet’s health certificate. Proof of rabies vaccination is a must. A signed form (provided by the airline). A copy of your pet’s digital photo (make sure he’s not showing teeth, just kidding).The face has to be visible so that his/her breed is identifiable. A digital pic of the travel crate. Make sure it meets the airline’s requirements. There may be more travel requirements, so it’s best to check well in advance. I’ve also purchased pet health insurance just to be on the safe side. Loki has a tendency to get in trouble when he puts on his deerstalker hat (what Sherlock Holmes wears). 3. Keep Pet Identity Visible. Loki is my son. I can’t imagine the anxiety he would face (or the heart attack I’d experience) if we ever get separated. So it’s extremely important to have a sturdy collar, fitted with an ID. You should keep your fur baby identifiable. There are a few ways to do this: Loki has got a microchip embedded behind his ear. In case we get separated (hopefully not), I’ll be able to track him with my phone. He’s also got an ID tag on his collar. The tag has my contact information, including address. I’ve also included my hotel reservation details. The collar is flat and clearly visible. 4. Prepare a Travel Kit. This is similar to the personal kit you would carry except it’s tailored towards your pet. Loki’s travel kit contains the following items: His health records copy of recent vaccinations Pet food Food bowls (I keep two, just in case one gets lost.) Medications (Something for fever, upset stomach, and diarrhea.) Pet thermometer A pooper scooper and waste bags. A few of Loki’s favorite toys and familiar items (he loves my socks). 5. Check the Mode of Travel Traveling by plane can pose a few challenges for certain types of dog breeds. For instance, dogs with short nasal passages like Pugs, Bull dogs, and Shih-Tzu’s may be more vulnerable to heat stroke and oxygen deprivation. If your dog fits this category, check with the airline to see if your fur baby can accompany you in the cabin. Do not wait until travel day to figure this out. Luckily, Loki is a Golden Retriever. I’ve also checked with our veterinarian. I suggest talking to your vet. Travel 1.Feed A Light Meal A couple of hours before the flight, I’m planning to give Loki a light meal. Whenever we’ve traveled by road, I’ve always stopped the SUV before feeding him. Driving and feeding at the same time is not a good idea. It may cause motion sickness and lead to vomiting. 2. Keep Rover Restrained Loki is used to walking beside me, mostly without a leash, because I’ve trained him that way. However, in France I plan to keep him on a leash. Plain and simple, this is unfamiliar territory for both of us. I don’t want to worry about him getting into an accident or wandering off. It also keeps him away from other pedestrians (Keep in mind not everyone likes dogs. Some people fear them.) Every country has its own regulations about pets in public places. In some countries, it is unlawful for pets to be without a leash. Do check this out BEFORE arriving at your destination. If your trip is cross-country, I recommend keeping Rover in the back seat. You may suddenly hit the brakes and Rover will go head-first towards the windshield. If possible, place Rover in a carrier and strap this in with another anchor or seatbelt. Ensure the carrier is sufficiently large. Your pet should be able to stand up easily in it. 3. Prepare your Vehicle. Loki’s comfort and safety matters a lot to me. Before heading off on our trips, I prep the SUV with special floor and seat covers. These help Loki settle in before we go anywhere. In case Loki has an accident, it’s easy to clean up too. 4. Never Leave Your Pet Unattended. Plain and simple. Would you ever leave your child alone in an unfamiliar place? While on holiday, I NEVER let Loki out of my sight. I know his curiosity can get him into trouble, so I try to keep him close to me as possible (hence the leash and ID I mentioned earlier). Unless it’s an absolute emergency, never entrust your pet to anyone else. If you must, leave it with a responsible member of the hotel staff such as the manager or supervisor. I’m quite excited about taking this trip with Loki. It’s been in the works for two years now. Some people laugh at the thought of traveling with their pets, but I find it comforting. Especially for solo travelers, it’s kind of like someone is there to give you company and protection (in case someone tries to grab your bag, just kidding). I hope your travel experience with your fur baby is as exciting and memorable as mine. Sign up for my mailing list and receive helpful tips for your fur baby. Don’t forget to check out my store as well. Happy Travels