Because I travel so often for work (and play), I’ve gotten used to the routine of bringing Stella along whenever I can. Of course, she isn’t part of our cargo on every single trip, but when she is, we have our checklist of to-do’s to make the trip easier on all of us—Stella included! Keep reading to see my tips for traveling with pets, and how to make it a breeze instead of a headache…
1. NIX THE CONNECTIONS, FLY DIRECT
This one is a pretty easy change to make, and one that also makes me happier because I prefer to fly direct anyway. Booking a flight without any layovers or connections eliminates any unnecessary shuffling of you and your pet during your trip. However, one exception to this tip is when you’re flying for several hours. Pets inevitably have to go to the bathroom and get easily restless, so if you think things will be less stressful on you and your pet to have breaks, then planning a short layover to get up and walk around or play may be best.
2. CONSIDER THEIR CARRIER
A carrier is necessary when toting your pet on your trip. If your pet is small enough to carry on and fit under the seat in front of you, opt for a soft-sided carrier to make things more comfortable and easy to stow. On the other hand, your pet must be in a hard-sided carrier with holes for ventilation if they are too big to carry on, and instead have to travel in the cargo area. Another good idea is to familiarize your pet with their crate or carrier before you travel, so it doesn’t feel foreign and frightening to them when you take off. (Keep scrolling for some of my favorite stylish and functional travel essentials for your pet below…)
3. BOOK EARLY, ARRIVE EARLY
Including your pet as a passenger can make your booking process a bit more complicated, so make sure to book early enough (and over the phone with a real person) so that you don’t run into any last-minute issues. Then, when it’s time to head out of town, make sure to get to the airport a couple of hours early to make sure there are no hiccups in your check-in process that may delay you.
4. I.D. YOUR PET
Just like identification is important for you to fly, it is very important for your pet, too! In the rare case that your pet gets lost, you’ll definitely want your name and cell number on both their collar and carrier. In fact, you should also have some contact info of your final destination in case you need to be reached once you land. To be even more thorough, get your dog or pet micro-chipped so you can more accurately locate them if needed.
5. BE A PRO PACKER
Besides the obvious need to purchase a carrier for your pet, there are also a few other essentials that need to be packed with you to make your pet comfortable. I’d recommend bringing things like a familiar chew toy (but not an edible bone), a collapsible water bowl, and towels or T-shirts with your scent on them to cushion their crate with and make them feel at home. It’s also recommended by many experts that you don’t sedate your dog unless medically necessary, because the sedatives can have adverse effects on your pet at high altitudes. Instead, try something like apheromone collarthat relaxes your pet naturally.
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Hartman and Rose Signature Pet Carrier, $359
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Gray Malin ‘Getaway’ Luggage Tag, $49
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Brooklyn-Made Rope Dog Leash in Natural, $72
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Archer Collar, Green, $75
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Archer Leash, Green, $127
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Jax and Bones Wheel Rope Dog Toy, $18.69
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Territory Corduroy Pet Toy, $9.99
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Boots & Barkley Tug Rope Dog Toy, $6.99
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Gray Malin Collection S’well Bottle, $42
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Boots & Barkley Collapsible Travel Bowl, $4.99
Do you guys have any important tips for traveling with pets that I missed? Everyone has their own way of doing things, and there is certainly not only one right answer when it comes to traveling with pets. One thing is for sure though—nothing beats traveling the world with man’s best friend.
Cheers!
Xx GM