What to keep in mind before em(barking) on a journey with your furry friends...
Leaving your pet at home while going away can be a heartbreaking sight, but traveling with your pet may also seem like a big deal. 🐶 By keeping these tips in mind though, you'll have no problem preparing for a little excursion with your pet.
Tip 1: Do your research!
The most important thing is to research country-specific regulations for entering the country with your pet. This might include mandatory vaccinations, so make sure to be aware of what your destination country requires. Some countries also have lengthy quarantine periods for bringing your pet into, so be prepared. Here are tips on which countries are easy to visit with your pet (i.e., regulations are quite minimal):
- Italy
- Canada
- Germany
- The Netherlands
- Austria
- Brazil
- The Bahamas
Pick a pet-friendly destination
Tip 2: Pick a pet-friendly airline
Make sure to do your research on airlines as well- some airlines are more pet-friendly than others. Some of the best-rated airlines for pet travel include Virgin Atlantic, Spirit Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Allegiant, or JetBlue. Travel with animals is increasing every year, so chances are that finding a way to accommodate your pet won't be as difficult as you might think. It's also a good idea to exercise your pet before embarking on a flight, so they're not storing up all that pent-up energy. Also, this might mean that they'll end up sleeping for most of the flight. Win-win! Speaking of flights... do you know where you can find the most beautiful airports in the world?
If your pet is young or not very healthy, it just might be the best idea to leave them at home.
Tip 3: Consider accommodation
Same as for countries or airlines, the accommodation also must be considered when traveling with your pet. Here the golden rule is to ask questions. Make sure (100%) that your accommodation is fine with hosting your furry friend as well. Airbnb's often have a pet-friendly rating which you can check before booking. Better safe than sorry! Make sure to let your TravelMates know about your pet plans as well, just in case someone has allergies or something of the like. Most of the time everyone loves having a pet around!
Tip 4: Make them feel at home
When traveling with a pet, you want to make sure you have some toys or items from home with you that are familiar to your pet, so they feel more comfortable. Treat your pet like a small child when traveling- you want them to feel safe. Packing some food from home is another great way to help your pet relax while on the road.
Make your pet feel at home!
Tip 5: Plan activities
When you're traveling, you'll most likely have some plans for what to do on your trip- so make sure your pet is included in them. Getting outdoors for example is an awesome way to have fun with your pet. Making sure your pet is enjoying their time as well is important. Traveling to Germany? See our top travel activities for Hamburg, maybe some of them are suitable for your pet as well!
Make sure your pet is having fun, too!
Tip 6: Consult your vet
It's always better to be over-prepared than under-prepared, so you might also want to consult your vet that your pet is all good to travel. Especially if your pet has had pre-existing health conditions, you want to make sure your buddy is safe. It's a good idea to also keep your pets' health documents with you. Just in case!
Tip 7: Your pet needs their ID too
Make sure that your pet has a collar or something where you can add the information of your pet as well as the pet's own info.
Make sure your pet has their passport as well 😉🐱
Tip 8: Just take it easy!
Your pet can sense your energy, so it's important that you (try) stay relaxed. Your pet is kind of like you when it comes to traveling... keep them hydrated, exercised, well-documented, and in good health. And don't forget that they want to have fun, too! Explore JoinMyTrip to go on a fun adventure now!
Curious about more travel tips?
If you're curious about more travel tips on how you can make your trips a success, just tune into Jasmine's weekly updates on the best things to keep in mind before heading on your next adventure. Here's a little sneak peek. 😉
Ready to start traveling with like-minded TravelMates? Then browse our exciting upcoming trips or create a trip of your own to start your next great adventure!
