Tips for Traveling With Your Pet for Thanksgiving

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

Can you believe it? Thanksgiving is already next week! What do your holiday plans look like this year? If you'll be heading out of town for the week or weekend, we know how hard it can be to leave your furry friends behind, so if you'll be traveling with your pets following right behind you, we want to make sure the trip is as stress-free as possible for the both of you.

Below, take a look at some travel tips we want you to keep in mind this Thanksgiving:

Prepare a travel kit.

Just like you need to pack things for yourself, you also need to pack things for your pet. Some items to include in your travel kit are a food and water bowl (and food and water), a leash, some plastic bags, a scooper to pick up waste, any medication your pet requires, and some first-aid materials. Additionally, you want your pet to feel right at home during the trip, so also make sure you gather some of their favorite toys and a bed or pillow that they feel comfortable with.

Always have someone with your pet.

This is especially important to keep in mind if your trip is a road trip - animals should never be left alone in a parked car. Just like cars can get extremely hot in the summer, they can also get extremely cold during this time of year, which puts your pet in serious danger. With that said, if you know you'll need to make some stops along the way, make sure you're finding places that are pet-friendly so that your pet can stay by your side.

Have the right carrier ready.

Any crate or carrier you use should be big enough for your pet to be able to stand, sit, lie down and turn around. You want your pet to be as comfortable as possible, and if they're feeling crammed, it's going to be a long trip for the both of you. If you'll be driving with your pet in a crate or carrier, you should also make sure it's secure so that it doesn't bounce around during travel.

Properly identify your pet and travel items.

Your pet carrier should be clearly marked with your pet's name, your name and your contact information, and you should always have identification on your pet (such as on their collar) in case something should happen. Additionally, make sure that anyone you're traveling with knows about your pet, and if you'll be flying to your destination, alert the staff so that all the right people are aware.

A final few tips to remember are that your pet should always be in good health before travel, and you should also feel confident that they are healthy enough to travel. Furthermore, you should always seek out a vet in the area that you're traveling to just in case an emergency should arise.

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital provides a wide array of veterinary care services to patients in Berkeley Heights, Summit, Murray Hill, New Providence, Plainfield and Westfield, New Jersey. Services include, but are not limited to, vaccines, surgical procedures, spays and neuters, animal dentistry and microchips. For more information, please call (908) 464-0023.

Tips for Traveling With Your Pet

Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital

269 Springfield Avenue, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922

(908) 464-0023

There are still a few weeks of summer left, which means there is plenty of time available for you and your family to head out on a vacation before the back-to-school season starts. For some, that may mean packing up just the humans in the house, but for others, that may also mean packing up the family pet to bring them along too.

If you have a summer vacation planned and know that you'll be bringing your furry friend(s) with you, here are some tips to help keep them happy and safe:

1. If your pet isn't microchipped, they need to be for identification purposes. In addition to this, they should also have a collar on that clearly identifies their name, your name and your phone number so that someone can get in touch with you should your pet get loose during the trip. Bonus tip: you should also include where you're traveling to and from on your pet's collar.
2. Aside from your pet having the proper identification on them, also make sure that their travel crate has identification information on it. Again, you should include their name, your name and your phone number, and it also wouldn't hurt to have information such as your address on it or a picture of your pet attached either. 
3. Regarding the specifics of your pet's carrier, make sure it is large enough for your pet to be able to stand, sit, lie down and turn around. If you'll be taking your pet along with you on a road trip, make sure that the carrier is securely fastened within the car so that it doesn't move or slide back and forth, especially in instances where you may have to hit your brakes a little harder.
4. Always prepare a travel kit specifically for your pet. That means packing items such as a water bowl (and water), extra food, a leash, some plastic bags, their favorite toy or two, and anything else that will help make your pet feel comfortable. 
5. If you are driving to your destination, never ever leave your pets alone in a parked car. Even if you leave the windows open, a parked car can become extremely hot, extremely fast, and as you probably know this is extremely dangerous for animals. If you know you'll have to stop, make sure you're choosing places that are pet-friendly so your pets can go with you.

For additional travel tips, check out this article from The Humane Society of the United States.

Prior to leaving for vacation, it's also a good idea to have your pet seen by their veterinarian to ensure that they are in good health and ready for travel. For the best veterinary care in Berkeley Heights, Murray Hill, Summit, New Providence, Plainfield and Westfield, NJ, visit Berkeley Heights Animal Hospital. If your pet will be a new patient with us, your first exam is free!

To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call (908) 464-0023.