The Holiday season means time with the family (including the furry ones), and often travel is involved. Here are some quick tips Zoetis came up with to make your pet comfortable when traveling to go see Grandma and Grandpa.

Allow extra time when traveling with a pet. Make sure to schedule extra time for travel, as your dog will need regular breaks to relieve themselves and stretch their legs. Cats don’t need these pit stops as much as dogs as long as you bring along a litter box for the car.
Try to keep a regular routine. Whether during a long road trip or at a relative’s home, your dog will appreciate eating their meals and taking their usual walk at the same time. Cats are creatures of habit too, so keeping their routine as normal as possible is important for limiting their stress.
Pack for your pet. You’ll want to stock up on waste bags for your dog’s outdoor breaks. Have plenty of water bowls and water on hand, and pack extra of your pet’s food. Don’t forget their medications and supplements — make sure you have enough for the whole time you’ll be away.
Don’t forget their papers. If you’re crossing state lines or traveling internationally, your pet may need a signed health certificate from your veterinarian. You’ll want to talk to your vet well in advance (at least two weeks) for your pet’s health certificate.
Update your pet’s ID tags and microchip. The last thing you want is for your pet to get lost while on holiday. But in case they do, having a collar with up-to-date contact information and making sure their microchip is registered and updated will increase your chances of a fast reunion.

Traveling with pets in the car can be intimidating, but here are some more tips on how to make the road trip enjoyable for you and your fur-baby.

Buckle up your pet. Traveling with your dog or cat in the car can create a big distraction for the driver and cause an accident. Unrestrained pets can be injured or even injure other passengers in an accident. When traveling with dogs in the car, secure them with a quality seat belt and harness combo or with a crash-tested dog crate or carrier. A soft-sided crate with space for a litterbox will make traveling with your cat in the car much easier.
Does your dog get car sick? They’re not alone! Nearly half of dog owners (48%) say their dog experiences motion sickness symptoms when traveling in the car. Thankfully, there are medications that you can give your dog to help prevent vomiting due to motion sickness. Talk to your veterinarian to make sure you have some on hand before you travel.
Address travel anxiety well in advance. Many pets get anxious when traveling in the car. Speak with your veterinarian about what treatments are available for travel anxiety and work with a certified trainer to learn simple desensitization exercises that can help your pet feel better about getting in the car or their carrier.

Traveling with pets on a plane

It’s recommended to avoid traveling with your pet on a plane due to the amount of stress it can put on them. If traveling by plane is the only option, make sure you look into your specific airlines in regard to restrictions and recommendations.
Make sure to double check your airline if traveling with cats because not all airlines allow it. You will also need to make sure the carrier’s dimensions are appropriate for the flight.

Hopefully, these tips and tricks will help you this holiday season or anytime travel is involved. Stay safe and have a very happy holiday!

Login, D. J. A. (n.d.). Tips for holiday travel with your pet. Zoetis Petcare. Retrieved December 20, 2021, from https://www.zoetispetcare.com/blog/article/holiday-travel-pet-tips