Vets Weigh In On The Pros And Cons Of Traveling With Pets

It’s not uncommon to see pets on vacation with their humans these days. Many families have discovered some benefits of traveling with pets: strengthening your bond, discovering lovely animal-friendly locations, meeting new people and getting the mental health boost of enjoying the fresh air together.

Going on a trip with your pet also brings major logistical challenges, however. And even the most loving owners have made some ill-informed choices that lead to a less enjoyable experience for all.

Fortunately, there are many ways to make the process of traveling with a furry companion go more smoothly. But just because you can travel with your pet, does that necessarily mean it’s a good idea? We asked veterinarians and an animal welfare professional to share their thoughts on the matter.

“While it can be fun to travel with your pet, it’s a good idea to ask yourself if it’s necessary, will your pet have fun, and are you planning to spend time with them on the trip,” said Erin Askeland, an animal health and behavior consultant at Camp Bow Wow. “Some people just want their pet with them, but they fail to think about all the scenarios when they may be leaving their pet alone in an unfamiliar location or exposing them to activities or conditions where they are not safe or they do not enjoy.”

Consider how bringing a pet on a trip affects the experience and whether any benefits for you or your animal outweigh the challenges.

“Personally, I’m strongly against it,” said Dr. Grant Little, a veterinarian expert with JustAnswer. “It’s a lot of work and stress to be able to bring pets with [you], and when you’re dealing with, for example, international travel, it gets significantly more complicated and sometimes near impossible due to the paperwork and the timelines to get vaccines and tests done. … and if you’re trying to just get it done really quick, you’ll be mistaken and run into issues.”

It’s also important to be mindful of other things that could reduce stress and risks if prepared for in advance, like considering weather factors that might be uncomfortable or unsafe for the pet.

Dr. Jessica Bell, an associate professor with the veterinary teaching hospital at Washington State University, gave the example of taking a pet to a Fourth of July celebration and how that might be “a poor choice due…