Tips for traveling with your dog

Your dog is likely one of your best frinds, so why wouldn't you want to go on vacation with your best friend? Bringing your dog along on your next vacation has the potenial to be a lot of fun, which is probably why a recent survey by the American Pet Products Association found that 40% of pet owners bring their dog with them when they travel.

However, traveling with a dog is a lot more complicated than traveling with another human. With that in mind, you'll definitely want to read these tips and tricks for traveling with your canine buddy.

Visiting the vet before you go

Before you travel, make sure you schedule a visit with your veterinarian. At this visit:

Make sure your dog's vaccinations are up to date. Have the staff print out a record of your dog's vaccines that you can take along with you in case you need to provide that verification along your trip. If desired, consider asking your veterinarian to give your pet a identification microchip in case you are separated from your dog and need to prove ownership. Consult with your veterinarian to determine if the microchip is right for you and your pet.

You'll also want to record the contact information for your dog's veterinarian, including emergency contact phone numbers. You might need that information if you have a medical emergency while traveling with your pet.

Speaking of emergencies, you might also want to do a preliminary internet search for any 24-hour emergency veterinary hospitals at your vacation destination as a precaution.

What to pack

The following are a few recommended items to bring along for your dog:

• A supply of your dog's regular food
• Water bottles
• Any medication your dog needs
• A leash and collar
• A traveling crate
• Any comfort items, such as your dog's favorite toy, mats, or small beds
• A picture of your dog in case you get separated and need to find your dog or prove ownership

Traveling tips for planes and cars

If you're traveling by plane, the best thing you can do is research your airline's policies around traveling with a dog. Each airline will have its own rules, so you'll want to research those rules well in advance to ensure you can easily comply on the day of your flight. You should do this research at the time you book your flight.

If you're traveling by car, keep these tips in mind:

• Make sure your dog is comfortable with riding in car by getting your pet used to smaller car rides beforehand.
• Plan to stop regularly to give your dog a chance to go to the bathroom and get some exercise.
• Feed your dog before embarking on your trip so that your dog doesn't have to travel on an empty stomach, which can lead to carsickness.
• Make sure your pet has a source of fresh air, especially if traveling in a crate. However, don't let your dog ride with its head out of the window since this could lead to eye injuries.
• Keep your dog safe. Never let your dog ride in the back of an open truck and never leave your dog unattended in a closed vehicle, particularly in the summer.

Finding pet-friendly lodging

Check to ensure that your chosen hotel or lodging allows pets before you travel. Many hotels allow you to bring along your dog, but will usually charge a fee that can be anywhere from $20-$100. Vacation rentals also usually charge extra cleaning fees for pets.

Be aware that many hotels don't allow you to leave a pet unattended, so you must either plan to bring your dog with you or make arrangements for doggie day care.

If you're staying at a campground or in an RV, sometimes you might be charged a refundable deposit. However, most of the time these lodging options are free of charge for dogs.

Plan activities that your dog will enjoy

If you plan to travel with your dog, don't forget to plan activities that your dog will enjoy, such as visiting a national park. If you're looking for ideas and you live in the United States, the website Trips With Pets has a fairly comprehensive database of pet-friendly activities and locations. For example, according to this website your dog can join you for:

• Tours of breweries and boutique wineries in a wide variety of locations such as Calistoga, California or Gatlinburg, Tennessee.
• A speedboat tour of Chicago.
• A tour of Savannah, Georgia's historic architecture.

If you still need inspiration, you could also consider reading Amy Burket's book The Ultimate Pet Friendly Road Trip. Burket and her husband took their dogs on a 15,000 mile road trip across the United States. Along the way, they built an extensive guide to dog-friendly activities across the continental United States.

Even if you don't live in the U.S., some of these ideas could possibly serve as inspiration for your own vacation activities. An internet search for popular dog activities in your location could also be helpful. And if your searches don't lead to any interesting results, consider writing a blog entry of your own!

We hope your next vacation with your dog is a memorable one and that you take lots of pictures!