Oakland Park Vet Offers Tips for Traveling with Your Pet

Do you hesitate to travel because you don't want to leave your pet back home alone? Do you live far away from family and others that you'd trust to look after your cat, dog, or other pet? According to the American Animal Hospital Association, approximately 53 percent of pets travel with their owners. Maybe it's time for you to consider taking your pet with you on the road.

Tips for Safe Traveling with Your Pet

Taking a few precautions before you travel can save you potential heartache and/or a trip to a veterinary hospital later on.

First, whether you're traveling by air or car, make sure your pet has proper identification. A tag with your name and address is okay, but microchipping your pet is better. This relatively inexpensive procedure provides permanent identification and can be done at any animal vet clinic, including ours.

You should also have your pet's vaccination and health records with you when you travel in case of a health emergency.

If traveling by car, plan for periodic rest stops so your pet can drink, eat, and relieve himself. It's also a good idea to bring a jug of water since it may be difficult to find fresh water on the road. Cats and small animals should be confined to a crate in the car, so they don't get under the pedals and cause a safety hazard.

Pet Boarding

Sometimes leaving your pet at home is the best answer. If you decide to board your pet, Oakland Park Animal Hospital will treat your pet like family with lots of play time and treats. Most pets enjoy their time with us and you'll have the peace of mind knowing that a full veterinary hospital is just steps away in case of a medical emergency. Although our animal vet clinic treats a variety of exotic and pocket pets, our boarding facilities are only equipped to cater only to the needs of cats and dogs.

Still undecided about whether to travel with your pet? Our Oakland Park veterinarians can help you decide whether boarding or traveling with you is best for your pet.

Have you recently taken your pet with you on a trip? Was it a positive experience for both of you? Would you do anything differently the next time? Share your experiences with our readers by leaving a comment below.