Accompanying Pets During Journeys: Tips for Caring for Dogs, Cats, and Other Animals During Your Travels
June 25, 2025, 11:32 AM
Every year, the same question crops up: What's the deal with my pet during vacation? To take it along or leave it home? No worries, behavior specialist Dr. Ronald Lindner here to help you out!
Q&A With the Pet Behavior Clinic
Mi07.08.202411:10AM16 minutes
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Before You Go
Giving it some thought, settle on your pet staying home or coming with you weeks before your trip. Smaller animals, birds, fish, reptiles, and even cats generally stay less stressed at home. However, dogs as social beings adore traveling with their families. Keep in mind that willfully leaving pets behind for convenience breaches animal protection laws.
Keeping It at Home
If your pet stays at home, it must be under the care of trusted individuals with pet handling experience. In the weeks leading up, provide detailed instructions on feeding, caring, and keeping them. Regular weekend trial runs between your pet and the caregiver help with the bonding process. Essential rituals, habits, and commands facilitate the caregiver acting as you. An alternative caretaker should be available in case of unavailability. Pets needing drugs should have an adequate supply, with caregivers correctly informed on administration. Share your vet's contact details, documents, and emergency contact information.
Expert Suggestions for Your Furry Buddy
Decorative Fish
Fish are relatively self-sufficient, with automatic feeders and timers for their food and lighting setup. Pet stores may grant care for aquariums at home upon request for more delicate fish species. Ensure someone checks the filter, heater, and prevents direct sunlight on the tank every three days.
Cats Staying Home
Cats, in general, prefer their familiar surroundings and may experience stress when relocated. Even in cat welfare facilities, this could result in unwanted behaviors upon return. Home care seems optimal with a cat-savvy caregiver visiting 1-2 times daily for feeding, hygiene, petting, and playtime. To help the cat recognize the caregiver, they should interact quietly and calmly, allowing the cat to smell them.
Dogs
Sometimes reasons prevent dogs from traveling, necessitating care outside the home. Before leaving, investigate facilities, meet the caregiver, and conduct a trial run for a longer weekend. Evaluate if the dog would be better off in social groups or individually. Provide information about the dog's routines, behavioral quirks, commands, vet details, vaccination records, and necessary medication.
Traveling with Dogs: Make it Pawsome!
Choose pet-friendly destinations with places for hiking, swimming, and cool climates. Always verify the accommodation’s pet policy (hotels, pensions, farms, campsites). Consult your vet six months before vacation regarding exit requirements, microchipping, vaccinations, deworming, flea and tick prevention, pet passports, and travel sickness prevention.
What to Pack for Your Four-Legged Friend
A devoted pet owner should carry these essentials during travel:
- Travel bag
- Bandaging materials
- Disinfection supplies
- Injury-related remedies (painkillers, probiotics, etc.)
- Eye care products (antibiotic ointment without cortisone)
- Fever thermometer
- Tweezers, tick remover, scissors/nail clippers
- Flashlight
- Local vet’s contact information
Consult your vet for the travel first aid kit content.
Rescuing Stray Pets
Before adopting a stray, visit a vet for guidance on entry and exit regulations. Evaluate why you prioritize animals, ensuring your intentions don't foster cruelty to animals, such as physical abuse or mass killings. Consider if territorial changes, like those for "beach dogs" from southern Europe, truly improve their quality of life.
- If you're planning to travel, decide early whether your pet will accompany you or stay at home, remembering that dogs generally enjoy traveling with their families, while smaller animals, birds, fish, reptiles, and cats may be less stressed at home.
- When leaving a pet at home, ensure that they are under the care of trusted individuals with pet handling experience. Provide detailed instructions on feeding, caring for, and keeping your pet, and arrange regular trial runs with the caregiver.
