Planning to travel with dogs? Whether you’re hitting the road or flying with a dog, Dr. Brittany Lancellotti shares her top tips for keeping your pet safe, calm, and comfortable during summer travel from professional to personal experience. From choosing the right gear to navigating dog-friendly hotels and airports, this episode is your go-to guide for vet-approved vacation planning for a trip with your dogs.
Should They Stay Home or Should You Travel with Dogs?
Before you even pack the first squeaky toy, ask yourself: Should your pet actually come with you? I know—leaving them behind is heartbreaking. But not every trip is pet-friendly, and not every pet is ready to hit the road.
Great travel candidates:
- Chill in new environments
- Comfortable in cars or crates
- Up-to-date on vaccines and parasite prevention
Maybe better at home:
- Get anxious or carsick
- Aggressive toward other animals or people
- Have health concerns that are best managed by a vet
Travel with Dogs Like a Pro
Car trips can be a blast—but to make it safe:
- Use a crash-tested harness or carrier. Check out the Clickit Sport Plus – Crash-Tested and Safety Certified Car Seat Belt Harness for Dogs from Sleepypod using this affiliate link.
- Pack a pet go-bag with water, bowls, poop bags, snacks, medications, and their vaccination records
- Potty breaks every 2–3 hours—for everyone’s sanity!
Dog-Friendly Places to Stay When Traveling with Dogs
Finding a hotel that welcomes pets? Easy. Keeping your dog from turning it into a frat house? That takes planning.
- Call ahead to confirm pet rules
- Bring extra sheets or a travel mat
- Don’t leave your pet alone in the room if they bark or chew out of boredom
- Always clean up—your pet’s poop is not the “local charm” they want remembered
- Check out the FurboMini – a travel friendly way to keep an eye on your pet even on the go.
Flying with Your Dog
Flying with a pet? Not impossible—but you’ll want to do some homework:
- Short nosed dogs (brachycephalic) such as French bulldogs and pugs, may overheat easily. Flying may be too risky during the summer, especially if your dog gets anxious and starts to pant.
- Carry-on dogs (usually under 20 lbs) may be able to fly in a soft-sided carrier under your seat. Check out the Sherpa Original Deluxe Carrier.
- Check airline requirements early—some need health certificates
- Not all veterinarians are licensed to complete health certificates and these can take time. Don’t wait until the last minute to make an appointment to talk to your vet about health certificates.
- Book direct flights when possible and avoid sedation unless advised by your vet
Your Travel with Dogs Checklist
