Your Pet Vacation Checklist

Preparing for your summer vacation is usually a blur of buying tickets, scouring the internet for a decent place to stay and digging out your favorite summer duds. But what about getting your pet ready? Whether they’re staying home or traveling with you, it’s important to make sure they’re healthy and you pack everything they need. Here is your pet vacation checklist!

1. Form a Plan

First decide if your pet is joining you on your vacation or staying home. This decision is usually based on finding a happy balance of what is easiest for you and what is best for your pet. For instance, you might hate the idea of a roadtrip with your cat, but your poor feline doesn’t do well with a pet sitter. Ultimately, what you decide is whatever will be best for the whole family.

If your pet is staying home, you need to find a quality pet sitter or pet hotel. Ask friends, family or your vet if they have any recommendations. And if your pet is vacationing with you, decide on your mode of transportation. You can learn more about flying, driving and taking a train with your pet here.

2. Outfit Them With a Collar and ID Tags

Even the most obedient and calm of animals sometimes freak out and make a run for it. This is why it’s crucial that you outfit your dog or cat with a collar and identification tags. A tag with your pet’s name and your contact info makes your animal immediately recognizable as a pet and not a stray. External ID is also the easiest way to reunite with a lost animal.

3. Leash, Carrier and Seat Belt

Again, even chill pets sometimes lose their cool for a multitude of reasons, therefore it’s always a good idea to put a leash on them while dropping them off at a pet sitter’s place or taking them on a walking or potty break. A special car seat belt or harness is also a good idea for road trips. If your pet doesn’t travel on a leash, transport them to their destination in a carrier.

4. Get Them Microchipped and Registered

But what if your pet wiggles out of their collar? It’s been known to happen. Luckily, this is where microchips come in. After getting your pup microchipped, make sure it’s then registered. A microchip only works if it’s connected to a registered microchip account, complete with up-to-date contact information.

5. See the Vet

You also need to make sure your pet is healthy and won’t catch or transmit any diseases. Check that your dog or cat is up to date on their vaccines and get a clean bill of health from the vet.

6. Pack the Essentials

Lastly, pack your pet’s bag. What they need with them will vary depending on the trip and if they’re traveling with you or staying behind. Here’s a good checklist:

• Food and water bowls
• Favorite toys
• Bed and blanket
• Cleaning supplies
• Brush
• Litter box, puppy pads or poop bags

And that’s all you need to go on vacation. Have fun and send us a postcard!