Pets play a big role in the lives of their owners. In fact, roughly 84% of pet owners exclaim that their pets are full-fledged family members. So when it comes to exploring the world, it is completely natural for pet owners to want to take their pets with them. On that vein, what golden travel rules can you follow when on a journey with your dog?

A clean bill of health

When traveling with your dog from one city or country to another, your dog must have a clean bill of health. This is particularly true in the US where a health certificate must be signed by an accredited vet. Paperwork like this helps you and your dog cross customs or health checkpoints. Even when you aren’t traveling across state lines, it’s important to be prepared. A clean bill of health also makes you aware of any issues that your dog may have and you can factor that into your travel plans.

Comfy crates

In an ideal world, you’d be able to have your beloved pet right beside you no matter how you traveled. The truth is that you may end up needing a crate to keep your dog in so it’s best to make sure that it’s truly comfortable. It is advisable that the crate you get is large enough that your dog will have room to stand up, turn around, and lie down, according to the American Kennel Club. They also recommend that the crate is well-ventilated and has a leak-proof bottom. It is advised that you suitably label the side of the crate with a disclaimer of a live animal along with your contact information.

Bring soothers

Much like people, dogs also have anxiety when they travel. Some common symptoms of this anxiety would be agitation, barking, and excessive salivation, to name a few. Keeping your dog calm and happy is important when you want them to travel with you. This is why it is important that you come prepared with snacks or toys to help soothe your dog. Prior to traveling, it’s important to talk to your dog’s vet and glean some helpful tips about dog anxiety. Spend more time with your dog to learn their personal signs of distress so you may remedy it when they get stressed on the road.

International travel? Check breed restrictions

If you’re traveling with your dog internationally, you will want to make sure that there’s no trouble. Certain dog breeds are banned by airlines like the American Bulldog, Boxer, and Chow-Chow, to name a few. Those dog breeds, along with several others, were banned since they tend to exhibit health problems mid-flight. So if you find that your dog’s breed isn’t allowed on planes it’ll give you time to plan a better travel option for you and your pet.

Your attitude matters

Dogs are highly responsive creatures and they can sense a lot about what their owners are feeling. Travel can induce a lot of stress on your part and it’s important to know that your emotions can affect your dog, based on the study conducted by Lina Roth of Linkoping University. So when you’re traveling with your dog, it’s important that your attitude and your mindset is calm. That way, your dog can pick up that they have nothing to worry about and they won’t exhibit the symptoms of travel stress. Always remember that your dog deserves every bit of consideration when it comes to putting them through situations that may cause stress. Travel with your dog doesn’t have to be a difficult time. All it takes is some reasonable planning and preparation to make sure that you and your dog have an enjoyable trip.

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