How to travel with pets: 5 life hacks for tourists

Are you going on vacation in a few weeks and have no one to leave your cat or dog with? Then it's time to think about what to do with the animal next.

OBOZREVATEL has selected life hacks that will help you solve the situation with maximum comfort for your pet.

1. Analyze the animal's health and behavior

Not every dog or cat will be able to tolerate an airplane flight or a long train ride. Not only is it a lot of stress, which can worsen your pet's health, but it's also a huge strain on the body. Try to answer the following questions:

• How does the animal tolerate temperature changes?
• Can it stay without its owner for a long time?
• Are there any problems with the functioning of internal organs?
• Does its age allow it to quickly adapt to new conditions?
• How much does its behavior change when surrounded by other animals and strangers?

If at least one of these points is in doubt, it is better to leave your pet at home. If you don't know anyone who can take it to their home or visit it daily, contact specialized services. There are already pet hotels or temporary shelters that can help you in this situation.

2. Learn the rules for transporting pets across borders

Not all countries allow people with pets to travel freely. For example, in the UK, a cat or dog may be quarantined if there is a suspicion that all the conditions for entering the country with animals are not met. And you can't take small four-legged friends under the age of 3 months to France.

If you are going to travel by train or plane, go to the carrier's website and study all the specified rules regarding animals in detail. In most cases, you will have to pay extra for your pet and provide it with a carrier, leash, and sometimes even a muzzle. You also need to make sure that the passengers who will be with you are safe.

3. Prepare all necessary documents and get vaccinated

Not only people need a vaccination certificate to travel nowadays. Animals will not be allowed on any airplane unless they have a passport with all the necessary vaccinations. Usually, the list is quite standard and includes 5-7 drugs that are given in one shot. By the way, this should be done not only before the trip. Such procedures are carried out annually to ensure the cat's long and healthy life.

4. Arrive at the airport and train station early

Checking in animals for a flight takes much longer. It can usually take up to 2 hours to go through veterinary control and get a special pass. By the way, most airlines do not allow pets on board. They are transported separately in the luggage compartment to ensure the comfort of other passengers and to avoid unforeseen situations. After all, no one knows how even the calmest animal will behave in unusual conditions.

5. Prepare a first aid kit

Anything can happen on the road. It is important to be prepared to provide first aid to your pet. To do this, consult your veterinarian and pack all the necessary medications with you. First of all, there should be sedatives, wound care products, antihistamines, and antidote pills.

However, the most important thing is to take care of the animal's comfort. If you can't pay enough attention to your pet while traveling, it's best to find a way to leave it at home.