Traveling with pets in August? Follow these safety tips

August is the most travelled month of the summer and vacations aren’t just for two-legged travelers anymore. Traveling with pets has become increasingly common, as 18 percent of U.S. adult leisure travelers usually take their pets with them on trips, according to the U.S. Travel Association. But excursions on planes, trains and automobiles with our four-legged friends can take some planning and preparation. Petplan, a pet insurance company, has developed the following tips to ensure both pets and pet parents enjoy their travels:

• Ask your regular veterinary hospital to make a copy of your pet’s recent medical history to take with you – some facilities may even be able to provide them electronically, on a CD or a USB device.
• If driving, it is important to acclimate your pets to the car so they view it as a reward instead of the typical and possibly painful trip to the veterinarian. Taking short trips to parks or other pet-friendly destinations will help get your pet comfortable for the longer drive.
• To help prevent carsickness, feed your pet a light meal four to six hours before departing.
• For airline travel, remember to plan ahead as travelling with an animal requires additional check-in time. Airlines accept a limited amount of pets for each flight, so it is critical to reserve space ahead of time. Also, make sure to exercise your pet prior to the flight.
• Most pets travel in the hold as checked baggage and it is important in the summer to travel in the early morning or late evenings when temperatures are cooler. Cats, snub-nosed dogs (pugs, boxers, etc.) and long-nosed dogs (shelties, collies) have respiratory issues and should never travel in the poorly ventilated hold.
• If your pet needs any medications, take extra care to ensure you have enough to last a few days beyond your anticipated stay. If you think you may run out before you are due to return home, make time to get your pet’s meds refilled before you leave.
• Use the vet finder at www.gopetplan.com/find-a-vet to scope out local veterinarians ahead of time, including emergency clinics. The site is also an outstanding resource to identify local pet health providers in the unfortunate event your pet suffers a health issue while traveling.

Dr. Jules Benson, Vice President of Veterinary Services at Petplan, is an expert resource on the topic of safe travel with pets.