Traveling with your pet this winter? You’ll want to make sure you take some precautions so your travel plans are both safe and comfortable for your furry friend.
Safety First
Just as you should anyway if you’re planning to travel during winter, make sure all your safety bases are covered. Do you need any car maintenance? New windshield wipers? New tires? In the event of a breakdown, do you have the proper safety gear in your trunk? Travel, especially in winter, can be unpredictable, so you want to be prepared for whatever you encounter along the way, including bad weather. And, if you break down, it’s not just yourself you have to keep safe. Fido needs to be kept safe, too, so make sure you bring water, food and a warm blanket for your pet, just in case.
Invest in Winter Wear
Even if your pet has a pretty thick winter coat, you’ll want to ensure they’re properly prepared for winter travel. Protect sensitive feet with snow shoes and a jacket. Don’t forget to pack a few towels in the trunk for wiping off any moisture from your pet’s body or paws after a bathroom break.
Know Winter Health Hazards
Just like the cold weather can impact your health, so can winter conditions impact your dog or cat. Just like with humans, frostbite and hypothermia risks are serious concerns. Learn to recognize symptoms of both in dogs and cats. Frostbite is most likely to occur around the ears, nose, tail and paws. Frostbitten skin turns red, then gray; if you suspect your pet has frostbite, warm them up with a bath or towel, but don’t rub the frostbitten skin. Signs of hypothermia include shivering and tiredness; if you suspect your pet has hypothermia, bring them indoors immediately. If symptoms persist, call a vet.
Recognize the Risks of Winter Air Travel
If you’re flying with your pet this winter season, rather than driving, you’ll want to take a few factors into consideration. Many airlines won’t allow pets to travel when the temperature falls below a certain degree, but if you’re not worried about that risk, you’ll still want to recognize the other various risks of winter air travel. There’s always the chance of a weather-caused delay, so you’ll want to be flexible with your travel plans. In the event of a flight delay, your pet will need to be taken care of in the meantime, just like you, so pack extra food and supplies. Additionally, outfit your travel kennel with some extra blankets or padding to keep your pet a little warmer during their journey. Lastly, to be safe, try to travel on calmer, less busy travel days so you can more likely avoid any delays.
Read This Next
5 Tips for First-Time Campers
Travel Tips
Apr 26, 2024#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
Apr 30, 2024Rhode Island’s Weekapaug Inn Rolls Out the Welcome Mat for Pets and Their People
Family travel means something different for each type of family, but for those of us with dogs, it takes on a whole meaning. Our furry friends are part of the family, and traveling with them can bring so much joy, but also a great deal of stress in trying to find the perfect blend of luxury, fun and relaxation while making sure our pets get the comfort and care they deserve.
Sponsored Content
Travel Tips to Help Protect Your Health and Your Trip
Five Tips to Help Minimize Potential Travel Problems
Destinations / Mexico
Apr 30, 2024Make Blue Diamond Resorts Your Mother’s Day Getaway
With Mother's Day right around the corner, it's time to plan the perfect getaway for mom. Gift your mom the life of luxury at one of Blue Diamond Resort’s all-inclusive luxury resorts.
Destinations / North America
Apr 29, 2024Spend Memorial Day Weekend in Fort Myers, Florida
Plan a trip to Fort Myers, Florida, for Memorial Day weekend family travel. The Fort Myers – Islands, Beaches & Neighborhoods area offers plenty of family fun in the sun.
Sponsored Content
United Continues Its Global Expansion
United Airlines keeps soaring to new heights, recently announcing another expansion of its leading global route network. The airline added new non-stop flights between Newark (EWR) and Marrakesh (RAK), Morocco; Tokyo (NRT) and Cebu (CEB), Philippines; and Houston (IAH) and Medellin (MDE), Colombia. That’s not all: United also plans to increase flights to popular worldwide destinations including Hong Kong (HKG); Seoul (INC), South Korea; and Porto (OPO), Portugal. Following the recent agreement to increase flights between the U.S. and Chinese governments, the airline now adds four weekly flights from Los Angeles (LAX) to Shanghai (PVG).
Destinations / Europe
Apr 29, 2024A New Science Museum for Kids Opens in Portugal’s Algarve
Lagos is a lively town in Portugal’s western Algarve, and a new attraction there makes it especially appealing to family travelers. Lagos Ciência Viva Science Centre is filled with innovative hands-on activities centering around the science of navigation, and as kids (and parents) move through interactive exhibits, they also learn about an important part of the history of Lagos and the world.
ShareThis