I didn’t even think about pet travel when I got my first dog, but after my first trip through the desert from Flagstaff, Arizona to Venice, California, I realized that traveling with a pet takes more thought than just throwing Fido in the back seat and giving him a potty break half way to your destination.

If you don’t have a pet, some of the things I say in this podcast might relate to traveling with kids.  I don’t have kids, but I’m sure the same amount of preparation goes into baby humans as it does for baby animals.

Some of the topics I cover in the TBP0010 “Better Pet Travel” include: preparation and packing, lodging, visiting friends, driving, flying, restaurants, play and relaxation.

1. Some states have seat-belt laws for dogs.  In New Jersey, if you don’t have your dog in a restraining harness when he or she is riding in the car, you could get a ticket. Plus, you always should have your dog restrained anyway because it is dangerous for both of you to not have your pet secured in some way.  I was driving 30 miles per hour with my dog, Buddha, when I first got him and he was not in a restraint.  I had to stop short and he bumped into the dashboard somewhat hard.  He’s had harder hits running into other dogs at dog parks, but it was enough to catch my attention and from that day on he was in a harness that attaches to the seat-belt of my car.

2. Regarding hotel stays with your dog: a lot of places require you to crate your dog if he or she is left alone in the room. Some don’t even allow you to leave the dog or cat alone in the room.  A crate comes in handy when leaving the animal, but is a huge pain in the butt to lug  into the hotel and takes up a lot of room in a vehicle.  I used a crate when my dog was a puppy, but as he got older I knew I could trust him if I stepped out for a short while, like going to the breakfast bar in the hotel.  I never bring a crate with me now, but I can’t recommend that to people with dogs that can be rambunctious indoors.

3. Always clean up after your dog – both inside and out.  If your dog shreds toys like mine does, pick up a majority of the fuzzes before you leave the hotel.  And always pick up your dog droppings – they attract rodents if you do not and nobody likes to walk their dog in the middle of a minefield filled with poopbombs.

Haha… I actually use the term “pet peeve” in this podcast.

Bring Fido: http://www.bringfido.com/

Trips With Pets: http://www.tripswithpets.com/

Go Pet Friendly: http://www.gopetfriendly.com/

Travel Pets: http://www.travelpets.com/

Luv My Pet for Affordable Pet Vaccinations (which are often required if you decide to board your pet in a kennel rather than take him or her with you): http://www.luvmypet.com/

Happy Travels!

Leslie

www.facebook.com/travelbetterpodcasts

PS: Did you enjoy this podcast and blog post about pet travel or know of someone that would enjoy it? If so, please share it with others! Thanks!

The post TBP 0010: Better Pet Travel appeared first on Travel Better.