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    Is there anything more heartbreaking than the sound of your pooch whimpering when you leave it behind? Or your kitty's sad yowls while you pack your suitcase for vacation? If only you could bring your pet with you everywhere you go. With a little bit of guidance, you'll be globe-trotting with your furry friend in no time. Find out how.

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    I am leaving my dog with my sister while I go on a week-long vacation. While I trust her, I'd still like to set up a webcam to be able to check in on him every once in a while. Do you have any pet cam recommendations?

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    Of course I think you should take your furry friend with you. Traveling with a pet is quite easy these days and my site, TheJetSetPets.com, offers plenty of pet travel resources, including the latest news and information on pet-friendly hotels and airlines for both domestic and international pet travel. But if it’s not possible for you to take your dog this time, definitely invest in a pet cam. I recently tried out Netgear’s VueZone (starting at $199) and enjoyed being able to watch my pooch Lucy from my computer and Samsung Galaxy. The mobile app works on an Android and iPhone. Smartphone surveillance requires subscribing to a paid service plan, which is complimentary for 30 days when you sign up for the free basic plan. VueZone took only minutes to set up using my router. It is wireless and the camera allows viewing in real time (though not simultaneously if you have more than one camera), recording and taking snapshot. You can zoom in remotely and adjust lighting. Very cool! But I do wish there was audio so I could say hi to Lucy. Samsung’s PetCam ($149), which has audio, hits the market in late spring. 

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    We are going camping with our family dog and I am nervous that he will get lost. I worry microchipping isn’t enough. Do you recommend any GPS dog trackers? 

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    You’re right: Micro chipping isn’t enough because you’re at the mercy of a kind soul turning your beloved family member in to see if it has a microchip. Pet theft is on the rise and — not to make pet parents nervous — everyone should be aware of this and take precautions. Normally, I would recommend Tagg – The Pet Tracker ($99.95), which notifies you via text message or email if your pooch wanders outside of the designated area. (A paid service plan is required after three free months.) Although it works on the Verizon network throughout the U.S., including Hawaii and parts of Alaska, because you’ll be camping, you may not want to rely on a device that sends a signal to you via email or text. Therefore, check out RoamEO ($179), which sends a continuous stream of GPS data that is refreshed every four seconds to a handheld receiver. There’s no subscription, activation or user fees but it is not recommended for dogs under 18 pounds. Another option is the Garmin Astro, which is more for hunting dogs and sends a signal to your receiver every five seconds. At $599, it’s quite pricey — though not when it comes to a family’s member safety.

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    I am travelling with my pet and want to make sure I have everything she needs. What’s inside your pet’s travel bag? What do you consider the essentials?

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    There are a few things I recommend you always have. A tag with a current and legible telephone number, food and medications are priorities. Also crucial is a pet passport like this one available at PetSmart to maintain a pet’s health records in one small, convenient place. It’s great that more veterinarian offices have electronic access to records but I believe in having a hard backup just in case you need to show proof of a rabies vaccination at a groomer, etc. Collapsible feeding dishes are a must. I like Dexas Popware for Pets that are BPA free and even come with a carabiner so you can attach them to a leash, and Bamboo’s silicone that are BPA and PVC free, microwavable, dishwasher safe and come in different colors. A travel water dispenser is another must. Virgin America, which I love because it has Boo as its Pet Liaison, makes a 24 oz BPA steel water bottle with a licking spout. Because I’m a germaphobe, I also carry Sleepypod’s Little Germs Organics Stay Clean Travel Kit that includes 2 oz. bottles of dish liquid, shampoo and conditioner, urine or litter box odor remover, stain and odor remover and all-purpose cleaner. The products are 100% organic and come in a TSA-approved resealable heavy duty plastic bag. It should go without saying but one can never have enough pickup bags.

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    Is there such a thing as a portable litter box for my cat? 

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    Next: More Pet Travel Q&A

    There certainly are. You have two options: disposable litter boxes and enclosed litter boxes with carrying handles. I would think that disposable littler boxes would work best when traveling. Nature’s Miracle, best known for its stain and odor removing products, makes eco-friendly, disposable litter boxes from recycled paper, with built-in baking soda to fight odors. They’re strong enough to use on their own, or they can be used as a litter pan liner. Use them when you’re traveling and toss them regularly. Kitty’s Wonderbox makes a similar product that is equally kind to the environment and comes in two sizes. For cats, dogs or any animal that will relieve itself on grass, The Pet Loo makes a hygienic, odorless pet toilet made of synthetic turf and grass to simulate the outdoors. It’s great for when you’re in a hotel or RV, or on a boat. There’s a “Kitty Kat” size for cats and small dogs, as well as medium and large sizes.