Traveling with pets

Pets can be loving and convenient travel companions. Fortunately, they never complain about the length of the trip, or ask the most dreaded question, "are we there yet?" Increasingly, more and more hotels, even luxury ones, cater to pet owners and welcome them with open arms.

However, traveling with your pet requires more planning than if you were going without them, so to make traveling with your pet the true joy that it really can be, follow a few guidelines.

If you are unable to travel with your pet, be sure to book your pet's boarding reservation early enough to ensure that you can feel good about leaving them at the facility of your choice.

For interstate travel, either by car or by plane, you should bring along a current health certificate, which your veterinarian can provide you stating that your pet is current on vaccinations, including rabies, and is free of any infectious disease. If you are traveling outside the United States you must have an international health certificate. Some countries require not only the international health certificate but also another form that is required for their particular regulations in their country. Your veterinarian can assist you with this or you can contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture to determine the requirements of a particular country.

When it comes to international travel with a pet, plan at least three to four months in advance so you will have adequate time to meet all of your pet's obligations for such travel. Again, the best source of advice is your local veterinarian.

When traveling by air, it is highly recommended that you contact the airline that you will be flying with to check on its requirements. Many of the regulations change frequently and can vary from airline to airline. Smaller pets (usually 15 pounds or under) may be flown in the cabin in an airline-approved, soft-sided carrier that can fit under a seat. Larger pets may be flown in the cargo area, but only in an airline-approved, high-quality hard crate.

Things to consider when flying a pet in a cargo area: airlines won't fly a pet in a cargo area in temperature extremes, and some in hotter and colder months require a temperature acclimation certificate from a veterinarian, stating what temperature range is acceptable; try to schedule a nonstop flight; always place a favorite toy or your pet's regular bedding in the crate; I do not recommend flying an older pet unless they have experience flying, otherwise the stress can be overwhelming.

A common request from pet owners when traveling with pets, whether by car or plane, is a tranquilizer. The American Humane Society recommends against tranquilizing pets for air travel because they can alter a pet's natural ability to maintain balance, and the higher altitude can create respiratory and cardiovascular problems as well. As for car travel, a tranquilizer can be helpful as can motion sickness medications. Contact your veterinarian who knows your pet's health status best for recommendations.

By Dr. TRACY ACOSTA - McClatchy Newspapers (MCT)