From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, plenty of San Antonio families head out to see relatives in the Hill Country, drive to the coast or fly across the country. More and more of them bring the dog or cat along. With some planning, travel can go smoothly for pets too. Without it, a missing record, a lost pet at a rest stop or a carsick dog can quickly derail the trip.
Our clinic has cared for dogs and cats in San Antonio, Stone Oak, Hollywood Park and Hill Country Village since 2002. Here’s the checklist we share with families before the holidays.
First, Decide Whether Your Pet Should Come
Not every pet enjoys travel. Some dogs love car rides and new places. Many cats, senior pets and anxious pets are much happier at home with a trusted sitter or at a boarding facility. Think about:
- Your pet’s health and age. Pets with heart, breathing or mobility problems may find long trips hard.
- Temperament. A pet that panics in the car or around strangers may be stressed by a crowded holiday house.
- The destination. Will your hosts welcome a pet? Are there other animals or small children there?
If you’re unsure, talk it over with us at a pre-trip visit.
1. Schedule a Pre-Trip Checkup
Book a physical exam two to four weeks before you leave. That gives us time to:
- Make sure your pet is healthy enough to travel
- Bring vaccinations up to date, including rabies
- Refill any medications so you don’t run out on the road
- Talk about motion sickness or travel anxiety, and whether medication makes sense
Flying or crossing state lines? Airlines and some destinations require a health certificate issued within a set time before travel, and rules differ by airline and destination. Call us well ahead of your trip so we can tell you what your pet will need, and check your airline’s pet policy early.
2. Make Sure Your Pet Can Find Its Way Home
Pets are more likely to slip out of an unfamiliar house or bolt at a gas station. The AVMA recommends a microchip for permanent identification, plus a collar with an ID tag that has your current contact information.[1]
A microchip only works if the registry has your current phone number. Before the trip, look up your pet’s chip number and confirm the registration is current. If your pet isn’t chipped yet, ask us about it at your pre-trip visit.
3. Pack a Pet Travel Kit
Bring:
- Food for the whole trip, plus a few extra days. Sudden diet changes cause stomach upset.
- Bottled water or water from home, and collapsible bowls
- Medications, with written instructions
- A copy of vaccination records, including the rabies certificate
- A leash, a harness and waste bags, or a litter box and litter for cats
- A familiar blanket or toy
- Our phone number, and the name of an emergency clinic near your destination
4. Keep Pets Safe in the Car
The AVMA says the safest place for a pet in a car is the back seat, restrained in a crate, carrier or safety harness.[2] A loose pet can distract the driver, and in a sudden stop it can be badly hurt or hurt someone else.
On the road:
- Don’t let dogs ride with their heads out the window, where debris can injure eyes and ears.
- Stop every two to three hours for a bathroom break and a short walk, always on a leash.
- Never leave your pet alone in a parked car. Even on a mild Texas winter afternoon, a car can heat up quickly in the sun. In cold weather it can chill quickly.[2]
If your pet gets carsick, feed a light meal several hours before you leave, and ask us about anti-nausea medication.
5. If You’re Flying, Plan Early
Flying with a pet takes more planning than a road trip, and holiday flights fill up fast.
- Book your pet’s spot early. Airlines limit the number of pets on each flight, and those spots often go before the seats do.
- Check the carrier rules. Small dogs and cats can usually fly in the cabin in a soft-sided carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. Measure your carrier against your airline’s size limits, and let your pet practice spending time in it at home.
- Ask about breed restrictions. Many airlines restrict short-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds, such as Bulldogs, Pugs and Persian cats, because they’re at higher risk of breathing problems during air travel.
- Think twice about cargo. If your pet is too large to fly in the cabin, talk with us about whether air travel is a good idea, or whether driving or boarding would be safer.
6. Manage Stress, Safely
Travel is a lot for an animal: new sounds, new smells and new people. Practice short car rides in the weeks before the trip, and keep your pet’s routine for feeding and walks as normal as you can.
Never give your pet sedatives, or human medication such as antihistamines or sleep aids, without talking to your veterinarian first.[1] Some can be dangerous, especially for pets with other health conditions, and sedation can affect a pet’s balance and breathing during a flight.
7. Watch for Holiday Hazards at Your Destination
A relative’s home can hold dangers you’ve already pet-proofed out of your own. The AVMA warns about:[3]
- Holiday foods such as chocolate, grapes and raisins, xylitol-sweetened treats and fatty table scraps
- Decorations, tinsel, ribbon and electrical cords
- Some holiday plants, such as lilies, which are very toxic to cats
- Open doors when guests come and go
Set up a quiet room with your pet’s bed, water and litter box, where it can retreat from the noise.
Heading Out Soon? Let’s Get Your Pet Ready
Traveling Tails Veterinary Clinic is a privately owned family practice at 2250 Thousand Oaks Dr, Suite 102, in San Antonio, with same-day appointments available. Call (210) 495-8245 or book an appointment, and we’ll help your dog or cat get ready for a safe holiday trip.
