Tips for Traveling with Pets

For some, taking a family vacation means bringing the entire family, including the beloved family pet(s). Traveling with a pet changes the whole dynamic of your trip. Some travel options become closed to you (such as a hotel that doesn’t allow dogs), while others open up (like a cruise that caters to both pets and their owners). On top of that, pets have certain needs while traveling – you’ll need to pack a bag for them too! By reading through our tips for traveling with pets, you’ll learn ways to keep your pets happy while you travel.

Which Pet is Easiest to Travel With?

Traveling with your favorite pet can be great fun if you’ve made the right preparations. While some pets will love the opportunity to travel and explore with you, others may wish you had just left them at home.

Traveling with cats

Cats are a good example of this. They are masters of their domain and they appreciate a certain world order. Even the tiniest changes will throw them for a loop. Is your cat nowhere to be found when a new guest comes to visit? Perhaps they stare in bewilderment at the stylish new food dish you purchased. Heaven forbid you bring a new pet into your home. Your cat is not likely to find the new scenery changes in your trip very relaxing at all. If you’re going for a short trip, cats typically would rather watch over things until you get back.

Traveling with dogs

Dogs, however, are much more open to the idea of travel. Pack animals by nature, dogs find their happiness just being around you. They’re not too picky about the location. Who knows, your dog may be even more excited to travel than you are – especially for road trips where it can stick its head out the window.

Traveling with reptiles

Reptiles are a mixed bag when it comes to travel. It really depends on the species. While an Australian bearded dragon (a popular lizard pet all over the world) will take to your shoulder like a pirate’s parrot in most situations, a more skittish gecko will have started its own sans-human vacation plans before you realized it. Meanwhile, snakes are likely to frighten most other travelers you meet. All three are likely to make the Customs department raise an eyebrow. You’re best off leaving reptiles at home, perhaps with a pet-sitter.

Traveling with fish

And fish? Well… water is heavy, filtration systems need electricity, and glass aquariums break. We think you get the picture.

In the end, all pets have different temperaments, so you’ll be the best judge of whether or not they’d be easy to travel with. If you find it’s best to leave them at home, in a kennel, or with a sitter, remember to bring them back a souvenir!

Do you travel with your pets?

Note: Available plans and coverages may have changed since this blog was published.