If you’re planning a cross-country trip to see family the week of Christmas or flying early to escape the holiday rush, traveling with your pet adds a whole new level of planning. From flight requirements to on-the-road safety, making sure your dog or cat is travel-ready is key to a smooth and stress-free holiday. Premium Vet Care assists pet owners in Plantation to navigate holiday travel confidently with the right documentation and wellness support.
Will Your Pet Be Happy As a Travel Companion?
Before booking a ticket or packing the car, take a moment to consider your pet’s temperament and health. While some pets do well with new experiences, others may find travel overwhelming or act in ways that are unsafe. If your pet is elderly, very young, has a chronic condition, or has high anxiety, it might be better to explore boarding or a trusted pet sitter instead.
Holiday Travel Checklist for Pet Owners
Schedule a Vet Visit
Your pet needs to be healthy and cleared for travel. Health certificates for domestic and international travel (also known as Certificates of Veterinary Inspection) are often required by airlines, state laws, or country regulations. These certificates confirm that your pet is free of contagious diseases and up to date on mandated requirements.
Know the Airline or Hotel Pet Policies
Each airline and hotel has different rules about pet travel, including crate dimensions, paperwork, and health requirements. Check policies ahead of time and reserve pet-friendly accommodations.
Update Vaccines and Preventatives
Traveling exposes pets to new environments, animals, and parasites. Your pet should be current on their vaccines, which can vary by travel destination. Going out of the country and not sure what vaccination requirements will be? There’s a website for that. Cats and dogs should be current on their parasite prevention, too. Even if you’re bringing your pet somewhere cold, they can still pick up parasites!
Gather Travel Gear
You’ll need a few essentials to keep your pet comfortable and safe on the go.
- Secure carrier or crash-tested harness
- Leash/harness and collar with ID tags
- Food, water, and collapsible bowls
- Medications
- Blanket or toy that smells like home
- Waste bags or litter supplies
- Phone number for an emergency vet at the destination
Calm Your Pet’s Nerves the Safe Way
If your pet experiences motion sickness or travel anxiety, speak with our team about natural calming aids or prescription options. Never give your pet human medications without veterinary approval.
Prepare for the Unexpected
Always be ready for a change of plans. Traffic jams, flight cancellations, bad weather, and more can switch up travel in an instant. Pack extra food, medications, and comfort items. Also, keep digital copies of your pet’s health records and vaccine history on your phone just in case of emergency.
Don’t Forget the Return Trip
If you’re flying or crossing state lines again on your return, you’ll want to be sure your pet’s health certificate is still valid. If not, you may need a second visit to stay compliant. When you’re scheduling an appointment for a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, always ask how long the paperwork will be legally valid for. Knowing the amount of time helps everyone in the scheduling process.
Prepare for Holiday Travel with Pets in Plantation, FL
Premium Vet Care has mobile veterinary services that get your pet to their destination with ease, with travel checkups, health certificates, calming support, and travel tips for pet owners in Plantation, Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Weston, and nearby Florida communities. Call us to schedule your pet’s travel exam with Premium Vet Care at home or at our in-clinic location in Plantation.
