Not long ago, I was asked by a reader to write about driving and traveling with pets aboard, so I thought this would be a good topic for today’s post.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, they recommend the following when traveling with pets:

1) When traveling with a dog or cat, it’s a good idea to keep your pet in the backseat of your vehicle due to the possibility that a front-seat passenger side airbag may deploy, which may cause injury to your pet in an accident.

2) Dogs should not be allowed to have their heads out of the window, due to possible injury by flying debris.  They also advise not letting dogs do this because they may become ill from having cold air forced into their lungs.

3) Never transport a pet in the back of a pickup truck.

4) On long trips, exercise is important to your pet, so don’t forget to stop frequently for breaks and potty time.

5) Make sure your pet wears a collar with an identification tag that has current information concerning ownership.

6) When stopping, never let your pet run free; always use a leash.

7) Never leave your pet unattended or alone in a parked car.  Not only will the temperature in the vehicle rise quickly on warm days, but an unattended pet can also be stolen from a rest stop or parking lot.

8) Purchase a travel harness which buckles into most standard seat belts.

9) Place your pet in a carrier.

Other good things to keep in mind when driving or traveling by car with your pet:

10) If your pet isn’t accustomed to traveling, take a few short trips around town to get your pet familiar with car travel.

11) If you can afford it, I suggest having your pet micro-chipped, just to be on the safe side and in the event your pet becomes lost and/or loses the collar.

12) During long car trips, its probably not a good idea to feed your pet in a moving vehicle, so schedule meal times during stopped periods. 

13) On long trips and car rides, remember to give your pet plenty of water.

14) Keep a copy of your pets’ health certificate and shot record in the glove compartment of your vehicle, as well as the phone number of your veterinarian.

15) For long trips, keep all medicines and vitamins in their containers and store them all in a plastic bag inside the glove compartment for easy retrieval.

16) On long trips, remember to bring your pets serving bowls, favorite toys and blankets along.

17) If going on a long trip, remember to bring enough food. If you find you’re running low, purchase the same kind of pet food at a grocery or pet store during your travels. Changing your pets’ diet midway through the trip probably isn’t a good idea.

18) Purchase a seat cover or use a blanket, pet hammock, sheet, or large towel and place it under the carrier to avoid contact with seat fabric.

19) Buy a travel or booster seat.  Designed for dogs, these seem pretty awesome.  I’ve never used one, but the concept looks pretty cool. The seat-belt surrounds the seat to keep it secure, while the harness is clipped to the attached strap in the seat.

20) On long trips, check online for pet-friendly lodging along your route. Most hotels and motels are pet friendly, but not all, so it’s a good idea to check online for accomodations or ask when making your reservations if they are a pet friendly establishment.  Another thing to keep in mind is that while some hotels and lodging are pet friendly, there may be certain restrictions or extra fees for guests accompanied by pets, so be sure to ask about fees and restrictions before booking your stay.

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