Travelling With Pets: What You Need to Know

For all the cat and dog lovers out there, it’s time to pay attention.

Travelling is fun. Travelling with your pet, even more so. Thanks to a number of pet-friendly facilities and services, taking your pet pooch along on that week-long trip to the beach has become easier than ever.

That being said, precautions must be maintained. It really pays to be prepared when travelling with your pet, and knowing beforehand where you can and cannot take him/her along.

So, let’s tell you all about safe travel with your pets via air or rail.

Taking Your Pet via Air

Planes are a popular mode of travel for pets – and also the most controversial. With the number of pet-related accidents and deaths on airplanes only increasing over the last few years, it is crucial to keep a few things in mind in order to ensure a safe travel for your dog or cat.

Fit for Flying: The first thing you need to do is to check whether your pet should be flying at all. If he’s too weak or young, consider leaving him home. Some breeds with short muzzles (such as pugs) will experience breathing difficulties if left in the cargo hold of an airline. You need to know for sure whether your pet is fit to fly.

Airline Choice: Here’s where you need to do some research. Is the airline you have chosen safe for your pet? Track down its history, past events and accidents involving pets if any. This should give you a fair idea of whether you can leave your pet in their hands and rest easy. You could also look into pet-friendly airlines such as Pet Airways.

Planning Ahead: If you’re flying abroad, make sure you check the pet policies and quarantine regulations there. You need to have all the requisite papers with you and be aware of the kind of vaccinations your pet has.

The Little Things: Miniscule details matter – they will ensure a more comfortable and safer journey for your pet. Things get messy in the cargo hold, so you need to put your pet’s contact details on its crate to minimize confusion. Also, a tired pet is the best thing you can hope for, so try to give him plenty of exercise right before you leave.

Taking Your Pet via Rail

While train travel is generally considered more comfortable for your pet, there are several reasons why you need to exercise caution.

Ventilation: It’s the same as airways, but a bit worse. Many trains, especially those in India, have very poor ventilation systems in the baggage hold – which may be where your pet is kept. Especially during the summer months, keeping your pet in the sweltering cargo area is akin to a death sentence. So do not make that mistake.

Do Your Research: That is most important. You need to look at several railway lines to find out what’s best for your pet. Some trains allow pets to be kept under muzzle and leash in the passenger compartment, while others require them to be in the baggage hold. Some do not charge you if your pet is small enough to be carried in your life, others charge regardless.

Keep Things Calm: While you’re travelling on the train, it is your responsibility to ensure that your pet behaves and does not end up creating a nuisance for your fellow passengers. So bring its favourite toys and chewies to keep it content throughout the ride.

The important thing to remember is that while you want to have a great time with your pet at your chosen holiday destination, you are solely responsible for its health and well-being. If you’re not certain about being able to care for your pet while on holiday, it is always a better option to leave it in the care of friends, or dog stays. But if you exercise these tips while in transit, you’ll get to have the time of your life with your four-legged friend for company!