How to Prepare Your Pet for Holiday Travel

The holidays are almost upon us, and many pet lovers will be hitting the road to celebrate the season with friends or family members. And along with any gifts, festive treats, and luggage, your pet may be coming along for the ride. Since no one wants to sit through hours of nervous whining or uncomfortable howling from their four-legged traveling companion, animals should be well prepared to make the holiday journey. Here's how.

Dog Travel in the Air
If you can't afford luxurious pet-exclusive airlines like Pet Airways, your dog may be flying to your destination in coach or, even worse, cargo. It's important to contact the airline when booking your flight to be well informed of airline instructions, and ensure you're flying on a day where the cargo temperature will be suitable for your pet to travel.

As for preparing your dog for the big day, "The best possible situation is to have a tired dog [when you board the plane] so he'll sleep for the flight," said Hughes. "Take him to a dog run, or take him on a long walk before going to the airport."

Hughes also says that it's important to be prepared when picking your dog up at cargo. "Have your dog's leash ready, and know where the potty areas are," she said. Ask airline personnel where exclusive "pet potty" areas are located before your dog deplanes, so you'll be ready to dash upon his arrival.

Dog Travel on the Road
"For short distances [in a car], the safest way to transport a dog is in a kennel where he has room to stand up and turn around," says Jeannie Hughes, a professional dog trainer based in New York City. The dog should already be accustomed to traveling in a kennel, but to facilitate the process, you can throw a treat inside. Hughes stresses that the driver's full attention should be devoted to the road, so it's important to keep your dog occupied. She suggests, "Give your dog something to do, or a juicy, exciting toy [to chew on]."

Frequent detours should be part of your journey when traveling with a dog. "Give the dog a chance to exercise [his or her] legs," said Hughes. "This will prevent stiffness from being in the kennel, and allow the dog to relieve himself." If you're leaving the dog in your car, make sure there is adequate ventilation, and that he is not too cold.

Cat Travel
Whether riding in the car or on a plane, cats should travel in a comfortably-sized carrier. "A few days before your trip, put the cat's favorite blanket or cushion in the carrier," said Pascale Portelas, an all-breed cat show judge for the International Cat Association. "Leave the carrier door open so the cat can get used to being inside before the trip." On the day of the trip, place some dry food and a sponge full of water inside the carrier. "For a long trip, I would advise putting some cat litter on the bottom of the carrier," said Portelas.

Portelas does not recommend allowing your cat to run free in the car, and adds that it's always a good idea to have your cat microchipped. "If your cat is not crated, he should be wearing a collar and leash," she said.

If your cat is distressed, "a little bag of catnip can help the cat to feel relaxed," according to Portelas. For more serious anxiety, your vet can prescribe pills, but it's best to give your cat a trial dose before traveling. "This way you can see what your cat's reaction is and adjust the dosage," said Portelas.

Tags: cats, dogs, driving with pets, DrivingWithPets, flying with pets, FlyingWithPets, holidays, pet travel, PetTravel