Remembering miles of slobber plastered across the rear windows, Riley recalls: “I grew up traveling a lot and especially love to take car rides.” If your pet is in good health chances are he enjoys riding in the car or even accompanying you on other adventures. Traveling with pets presents unique challenges, however, and those traveling with pets should be aware of several things. Riley offers the following tips for safe travel.

It is a good idea to have your pet examined by a veterinarian before embarking on any journey and to obtain health and rabies certificates. You probably will not need them but it is always a good idea to have them on hand. Make sure your pet will be welcome with the hotel or other travel service you are using. When preparing to fly, make sure you have an airline-approved pet carrier. Airlines have strict guidelines relating to pets as well as pet carriers and a little pre-trip research will save you time and money.

Pack food and water, dishes, bedding, a leash, toys, treats, and your Pet Emergency Kit. Your pet should also wear a collar and ID tag at all times! The tag should carry the name and phone number (with area code) of someone who knows how to find you while you travel.

Feed your pet a light meal several hours before driving to help avoid travel sickness. Also, bring your Dog Travel Water Bowl or other such product to keep your pet hydrated throughout the journey. Stop frequently for exercise but never allow your pet to run loose.

If your pet cannot be safely secured by a seatbelt harness, get a solidly-constructed pet carrier with good ventilation for them to ride in. Be sure to properly secure the carrier in your vehicle. Also, let your pet get acquainted with the carrier several days before the trip. Use a pillow, newspaper, your pet’s favorite blanket, or a sheet to cover the bottom of the carrier.

We all know that our dogs love to crane their necks out of car windows. Although dogs in vehicles do enjoy seeing and smelling as much as they can of the outside world, it is important to ensure that your pet is properly restrained with a product such as the Safety Seat Support Harness to help prevent accidental injuries. It is also generally important to make sure your windows are rolled up enough so that your pet can’t jump out at the sight of new friends or edible squirrels!

Never leave your pet unattended. A pet left in a parked car can suffer from heat stroke in just minutes on even a mildly warm day or they could become a target for thieves.

“Be Kind to Pets”… and enjoy the trip!