Travel With a Pet

Complete prep for flying or driving with a dog or cat — from health certificates to in-cabin requirements to having a vet plan at the destination.

Research & Booking

• Confirm airline's pet policy before booking — Southwest, United, Delta, and American all differ on breeds, carrier dimensions, and fees
• Book pet's spot when booking your ticket — most airlines cap in-cabin pets per flight at 4–7
• Measure your pet's standing height and length — carrier must fit under the seat in front of you (typically 17x11x9.5 in)
• Research brachycephalic breed restrictions — many airlines ban English Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs, and Persian cats from cabin or cargo
• For driving, locate emergency vets along the route using the ASPCA animal poison control number (888-426-4435) and map vet clinics

Paperwork

• Get a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) — most airlines require it within 10 days of travel; some states require it for road entry
• Confirm destination country's pet import requirements if traveling internationally — EU requires microchip + EU-standard rabies vaccine
• Bring your pet's vaccination records, especially rabies, in a waterproof folder
• Check Hawaii's strict pet quarantine rules if applicable — they can run up to 120 days without advance preparation

In-Cabin Flying

• Purchase an airline-approved soft-sided carrier — Sherpa and Sleepypod are TSA-friendly and airline-approved
• Do a trial run — put your pet in the carrier for 30+ minutes several days before the flight to reduce stress
• Withhold food 4 hours before a flight to prevent motion sickness — water is fine up to 1 hour before
• Ask your vet about calming aids (trazodone, gabapentin, or Benadryl for dogs) — never dose without vet sign-off
• Line the carrier with a pee pad and a worn T-shirt for scent comfort
• At security, remove your pet from the carrier and carry them through the metal detector — the carrier goes through the X-ray machine

Driving With a Pet

• Secure your pet with a crash-tested harness (Sleepypod Clickit and Ruffwear Load Up are FMVSS-certified) or an airline-approved crate
• Never let your dog ride with its head out the window at highway speeds — debris and debris can cause eye or ear injury
• Stop every 2 hours for a 10-minute walk and water break
• Keep the car at 70°F or below — cars heat rapidly; never leave a pet unattended in a parked car above 60°F outside

Emergency Vet Plan

• Search for a 24-hour emergency vet clinic at your destination before you leave — save the address and phone number offline
• Pack a pet first-aid kit with gauze, vet wrap, saline solution, tweezers, and hydrogen peroxide (for inducing vomiting — only with vet direction)
• Bring a 7-day supply of any medications your pet takes regularly, plus an extra 3 days in case of travel delays