10 Tips to Travel With Puppies: How to Prepare
Your love for your puppy is incredibly deep, so much so that being away from them can bring about significant heartache. At the same time, your passion for exploring new places ranks similarly high in your life. This situation doesn’t have to be problematic. Taking trips with young pups can be quite easy, provided you have the correct guidance.
Read through till the end to get the most out of this post.
Traveling with Puppies
Summer is here, and perhaps you want to pursue that long-planned family vacation.
Everybody should go, including your puppy, and it would be more fun to tag him along. This poses some risks, though.
Keep informed of the do’s and don’ts and your trip with your young dog will be as smooth as you would want it to be.
It is still better to be always prepared than sorry, don’t you agree? Research is the key. Know what you should prepare and how to go about the trip along with your new puppy without putting you both at risk.
1. Get Everything You Need Prepped
Before you go on your trip, pack the needs of your dog. Here are some things he may need for your trip:
- Regular food. Separate food for every feeding. You may bring an extra meal in case necessary.
- A mat or bedding he is familiar with
- Water, especially if you’re headed to areas where bottled water is meant for human consumption only
- Food bowls or dishes
- Leash
- House training bell, if he is using it
- Collar and tags with contact or identification information and house number
- Medication
- Bones or any other toys familiar to him
The next thing to consider now is how you be traveling with a new puppy.
2. Mode of Dog Transportation
It’s travel time. But hey, how will you go? By airplane? Through a road trip?
While flying can be the safest and fastest mode of transport, a road trip can be less expensive and almost always available.
3. Traveling with a Puppy in a Car
Most puppies actually love road trips. But cars can be risky and dangerous. You shouldn’t take precautions lightly as dog car safety is critical.
Keep in mind the do’s and don’ts when transporting a puppy in a car. Learn how to travel with puppies by car by doing the following:
4. Preparation is Everything
Create a checklist way before the scheduled time. See to it you have packed all the essentials for your young dog. Refer to the list above for these important items.
5. Food and Toys or Articles on the Go
Food on the road keeps him in a good mood, makes him feel happier, safer, and will make the trip quicker for your pup. The favorite toy of your puppy can be a source of his entertainment, killing his boredom and keeping him occupied.
Keeping him entertained during the trip means you can just focus on the road while enjoying country or classic music during the ride.
6. Let Your Puppy Curb Car Sickness
Puppy car sickness is a common issue, especially if it is their first time. The smell of his barf would be no fun at all either, especially in an enclosed space, like your car.
Putting your pup inside a crate may also become the cause of his sickness, giving him pain on his head and nausea.
Crates can be too constricting for your pup. So, consider bringing nausea medications, or better yet, ask his vet for the best solution. Let him sit and have a break to calm him down.
7. Stop for Pee Breaks
Whether old or young, dogs will frequently pee during a trip. Stopping often for pee breaks is a great idea to help your dog relieve himself and rehydrate whenever necessary. Let your puppy enjoy car rides even when you put him on the seat.
8. Nap and Snooze
Like babies, puppies love to sleep. Give your puppy some time to play or take him on a long stroll to get rid of your dog’s excess energy. Napping during the ride is important, so let him lie down so he can have a break.
9. Never Leave a Puppy in a Cold Car
There have been many cases of dogs that have died of hypothermia after getting left inside a cold car. As a solution, you should leave your vehicle running with the heat on if you need to leave your furry friend alone for an hour or several minutes.
10. Long Trips for an Unaccustomed Puppy is a No, No
It is not advisable to take a long trip with your pup if he isn’t used to traveling by car. This is not the best way to transport a puppy in a car. Take him a long walk and observe before even scheduling the date of your trip. Let him peek through the window to get accustomed to and enjoy the journey.
Traveling with a Puppy on a Plane
Some destinations may require you to ship your puppy by plane. Make flying a lot easier for you and your little dog by following the steps below.
Airlines That Allow Puppies to Fly
Airline companies like Air Canada, United Airlines, Lufthansa, and Alaska Air allow young dogs to fly in-cabin. These airline companies differ in their policies, regulations, and rates for passengers with pets. It is important to research which airline offers the best travel for your dog. Make some time and go to the airport earlier so you can check them personally.
Put your pup inside the crate or carrier, as some airline companies require. You can place the crate you carry in the cabin under your seat. Allowing him to see outside through the window may not be possible, though. You can look at our recent post for the best dog travel crates you can use to travel with your pet.
Secure a Pet Passport
All types of travel with puppies and grown dogs, whether internationally or domestically, require a health certificate. This mandatory document is also called a pet passport, sanitary certificate, or veterinary certificate. Call your vet for an appointment and get it in 24 hours. Ensure your puppy got his rabies vaccination 21 days before the travel date.
Pet passports can cost you from $38 to $1,235 depending on the practice of your veterinarian, destination (domestic or outside the country), and your puppy’s breed. The cost may cover:
- Health certificate
- Rabies vaccinations
- Import licenses or permits
- Rabies titer test
- Pet micro-chipping
- Tapeworm treatment
- Additional treatments and vaccines
The Right Time to Travel
Generally, most airlines require a minimum age of 15 weeks for a puppy to go on an international flight. Some airline companies do not allow dogs younger than eight weeks to fly. Ask in advance for assurance in taking a puppy on a plane. There are airlines that require you to put your pup inside the crate during the flight.
Consider the weather when you travel with puppies. See to it you search for information on how to ship a puppy by plane and wait until his right age to ensure safe travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon can you travel with a puppy?
You can travel with your puppy when he is eight weeks or older. For international flights, he should be at least 15 weeks old.
Which airlines let pets fly free?
As major airlines have some concerns, they charge different rates in accepting puppies on board. Free in this case means allowing them access to the cabin and do not require them to be crated. Some allow them inside the cabin with their owners, while others require them to be inside a crate.
Some notable airline companies that allow travel with puppies inside the cabin are Alaska Air, Air Canada, American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue, Southwest, United Airlines, and Aegean Airlines. If you’re not flying in any of these airlines, check their website to make sure your pet can travel with you comfortably.
How much is a pet passport?
Pet passports can cost between $38 and $1,235. The rate depends on the practice of the veterinarian, destination, and your puppy’s species. Flying with a puppy means paying for more than just a passport, though. Read this post on expenses you’ll encounter to get a better idea.
Can you take an 8-week old puppy on a plane?
Yes, an eight-week puppy is allowed onboard an airplane.
How much does it cost to ship a puppy on a plane?
Shipping a puppy on a plane can cost from around $100-$125 for one way. Inquire the rate for your destination from the specific airline that you want to fly with your puppy.
Proper preparation and planning will ensure that your next travel with your puppy will be as smooth and hassle-free as you wish it to be. Make a complete list through the help of this guide.
Take note that transporting a puppy in a car or in an airplane can be easy with the relevant information at hand. Most importantly, have a happy and fun trip.
