Travelling with Your Pet? Here are 5 Tips to Simplify Your Vacation

Some people like travelling with their friends. But what if your friend happens to walk on four legs? The thing is if you are in India and planning to go travelling with a pet, you will have to make some extra arrangements. It is best advised to have a pet cover in place. This is primarily because there are a lot of destinations that are not friendly to outsiders, let alone pets. To add to this, going with a pet is tougher than going with a toddler. Because your pet will affect other people, unlike a baby. That said and done, you don’t have to worry about travelling with a pet. Here is the most comprehensive guide to help have the best possible vacation with your four-legged friend!

1. Choose the Right Destination

The kind of vacation your pet will have will highly depend on the destination you choose. For instance – if you are going to Haridwar or a place of religious significance, it is better to avoid taking your pet with you. Most tourist spots in such places will not allow pets by any means. You have to think about the climate and the weather conditions prevalent in the place you are visiting when you are visiting it. For instance – you should not be travelling with dogs who have non-existent fur coats to places that have snow-falls. So, sit with a pen and paper. List out all the places you plan to visit at your destination. If most of them are prohibitive to pets, you should think about changing the place altogether.

2. Making Accommodation Arrangements

Once you have passed the hurdle of selecting the right place, you will have to start planning on a more micro level. Start thinking about the accommodation you have. If you are staying in a five-star hotel or resort, there is a high probability that you might not have to worry about your pet’s accommodation. That said, most budget hotels, motels and resorts may not have a friendly setup for pets. If you are planning to stay in a community hostel or even in an Airbnb, you should inquire whether they allow pets. Most hotel booking portals will list out hotels and stays where pets are allowed.

3. Focusing on Travel

Now comes the travelling part. How do you plan to reach your destination? Most pet-friendly vacations are taken by road, in a hired cab, or a car. If you are planning to travel by train – you might have to see whether you can even take a pet on a train or not. Some airlines will accommodate your pet if you check with them in advance. The idea is to make sure that the commute is friendly to your pet. You should also be aware of any possible behavioural traits your pet has, that won’t allow it to go on some vehicles. For instance, if your cat is not suitable for a hilly region, travelling with a cat on a plane might not make sense.

4. Gather Information About Vets at Your Destination

Most tourist destinations now have a doctor available at the distance of call. But, you have to know that a paramedic, nurse, or doctor will not be suitable for your pet. You should be aware of the nearest possible veterinary clinic, just in case your pet needs medical assistance. You can easily get these lists of vet hospitals and clinics on Google. A better idea would be to ask your travel partner (package provider or booking website) or the hotel staff where you are staying, about the vets nearest to the venue where you will be staying. The key idea is that you should have this information before you make the booking, not after you have reached the hotel.

5. Get Your Pet Vaccinated and Pay Attention to the Packing for Your Pet

Many of us delay the vaccines of our pets by a few days to a few weeks. This does not cause major problems to our lifestyle, but it can cause a major issue in your travel. Some airports and hotels will ask you whether your pet has been vaccinated or not. So, if there are any pending vaccines – get your pet to the vet before you leave for the vacation. Also, some vaccinations require a gap of a few days before the pet can travel. In case of a medical emergency having a pet health insurance cover is beneficial. Make sure you ask your vet about the necessary days of gap between the vaccination and the holiday.

The Bottom Line

Finally, don’t forget to pack properly for your pet. You will have to ensure you are carrying sufficient food, toys, clothes, leashes and hygiene goods for your pet. Packing for yourself and packing for your pet would be different. Look at the things your pet needs daily – special food, sleeping gear, clothes, favourite toy and a leash. Make sure you don’t carry expensive items since you wouldn’t want to be worried about it if you miss it. Pack the essentials and you are ready to go!   *Standard T&C apply Insurance is the subject matter of solicitation. For more details on benefits, exclusions, limitations, terms, and conditions, please read the sales brochure/policy wording carefully before concluding a sale.