Memorial Day weekend brings the unofficial launch of the summer travel season – sun and fun at the beach, family sojourns to visit relatives, or maybe university scouting with your older teen. If you wouldn’t think of leaving your pet at home when you go on vacation, you’re in good company. About 20 percent of Americans take their pets with them. Whether you travel by car, airplane or cruise ship, you’ll need to plan ahead and use these pet friendly travel tips to keep your furry friends safe and comfortable.

Pet Friendly Travel Tips

The vast majority of traveling pets, about 78%, are dogs, but cats (15%), birds (3%) and other critters like ferrets and rabbits – even fish – get to go along on the family vacation, too. Before travel, get a health checkup with your veterinarian. Make a copy of any medication records and consider micro-chipping your pet before travel. Your vet can also advise you on how to handle your pet’s potential motion sickness or travel anxiety. Travel Maestro tip: Take along a photo of you and your pet together prove ownership if you get separated.

Pets will travel most comfortably in a kennel or pet bag, but make sure it is the right size. Dogs should be able to fully stand up and turn around inside. Limit food and water for 6-8 hours before travel and exercise animals before any extended travel time begins. You might be wise to include wee pads in the kennel. Pack a couple favorite toys and don’t forget the leash. Travel Maestro tip: If traveling by air, put a bowl of frozen water in the kennel. It will prevent spilling while loading and will melt by the time your dog needs it.

Special Considerations for Air Travel

Most airlines allow small pets to travel in the passenger cabin in a kennel that fits under the seat; however, specific size regulations and number of cabin pets per plane may vary. Larger animals can often go as cargo in a pressurized section of the baggage hold. Many airlines have temperature restrictions for cargo acceptance, so you may not be able to fly your larger dog in extremely hot or cold weather. Reptiles and primates are not accepted in passenger cabins, regardless of size – no snakes on the plane, thank you! Travel Maestro tip: Make your pet’s reservation at the same time as your own to ensure that you can travel together, but be aware that some airlines do not take cargo reservations until 14 days before travel and do not guarantee the same flight as the owner.

American Airlines offers specially ventilated “pet cabins” for pampered pooches in first class because the lie-flat seats aren’t certified for under-seat storage. JFK Airport has built a $48 million, 178,000 square foot Ark Terminal exclusively for jet-setting animals ranging from kitties to livestock. Many U.S. airports have pet relief areas for people to walk their pets. Most are outside secure areas, but a few are beyond security.

Pooch Perks

With nearly 76 million dogs and cats traveling with their owners each year, it’s no surprise that hotels are responding with pet-friendly amenities. Travel + Leisure found these 12 Pet Friendly Hotels that offer luxuries for Fido like cushy bedding, indoor dog parks, and doggie spas for a massage, bath and blow out! By no means is this an exhaustive list. Covington Travel Advisors are happy to recommend other fine pet-friendly hotels. Travel Maestro tip: Request a ground floor room near an exit – or with a patio is even better – to make bathroom breaks easier.

Cruising with pets is more limited. Cunard’s Queen Mary II is one of the few ships to allow non-service dogs and cats on their transatlantic crossings. An onboard kennel master takes care of all animals and owners can visit their pets during the day. Travel Maestro tip: International animal immigration regulations are rigorous and vary widely. Be sure to check all the requirements well before travel.

If you’ll be traveling with your furry friend this summer, do your homework and plan ahead to make the trip a pleasure for both two- and four-legged travelers. Contact Covington’s vacation experts for help in planning your pet-friendly vacation by automobile, airplane or cruise ship.