The Ultimate Guide to Traveling With Your Pet (2024)

Before packing your pet into a car or plane, ask your vet if it’s safe for them to travel. Some pets may be too old or have health issues that can be exacerbated by a long trip. If your vet gives the all-clear, make sure your pet has a microchip and is up to date on their vaccinations. And bring their vaccination card and relevant medical records with you.

Dogs (and cats who’ll allow it) should always wear an ID tag or collar with their name and your contact info on it. You should also label their carrier or kennel with this information.

There are few government regulations about animal safety on the road, but all of the experts we spoke with agreed that pets should always be restrained during car travel.

A loose pet can become a projectile in a crash: They can sustain blunt-force trauma, and they might also fly into you and your fellow human passengers, causing further harm. When dogs and cats (and other animals) are allowed to wander around your car, it can also lead to distracted driving, which increases the risk of a crash, according to Molly Racette, a veterinarian and professor of emergency and critical care at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. And afterward, a free-roaming pet might get out and run away, which is the last thing you want in the middle of a crisis.

The safest thing is to restrain your pets in the back of the vehicle, either on the back seat, on the rear floor, or in an SUV’s cargo area. As much as you may want them near you, they shouldn’t ride shotgun—airbags can also injure an animal.

Open windows pose another risk, especially if an animal is loose in the car. Racette’s clinic sees “a fair number of dogs who fall or jump out of those windows” and get hurt that way. Dogs can also get eye injuries from hanging their heads out the window, so it’s best to keep them fully inside the car.

The sucky thing about driving is you never know when a crash might happen. Full-body containment—that is, where you put your pet inside a box made for travel—is generally considered the safest option for short and long drives. A crash-tested carrier—like the Diggs Passenger or the Sleepypod Air, our travel-carrier picks for cats and small dogs—may give you some extra peace of mind. And it might even fit under a plane seat.

There are also a few crash-tested kennels available for large dogs. These are usually made from a strong, roto-molded plastic or aluminum. But they can be heavy, making it difficult for some people to lift and move them around. They also take up a ton of space in a car.

Recently, I’ve been using an inflatable kennel, the Diggs Enventur, for car rides with Dave, my dog, a 65-pound mystery mutt. (Our longest journey so far has been a round-trip drive from the Midwest to Los Angeles.) The Enventur isn’t crash-rated, but it’s lightweight and surprisingly durable. And it compresses down into a tidy bundle when I need to put something bulky in the back of my car instead of the dog.

Regardless of whether a carrier or kennel is crash-tested, you’ll need to keep it stable—always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for securing a carrier or kennel to your car’s seat belt, tie-down anchors, or LATCH system. For cats especially, “it’s really easy for them to get jostled a lot,” and that can scare them even during regular driving, said Juliet Caviness, a veterinarian at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

If a carrier isn’t designed to attach to a seat belt, then it “would be better placed behind the front driver or passenger seat on the floor of the vehicle,” said Lindsey Wolko, founder of the Center for Pet Safety, which does independent crash-testing.

Any restraint is better than no restraint. And if your dog goes into full-scale fight mode when you try to put them in a carrier or kennel, a seat belt harness that’s been crash-tested might be your best option for car trips.

If you use a harness, make sure the connection to the seat belt is short and secure. If the attachment is too long, an animal can get tangled up in it, and they can still become a projectile in a crash. And never connect your pet to a car by their collar—that can cause strangulation.

We don’t recommend tethers or ziplines—several experts we spoke with consider them to be unsafe. “Avoid them like the plague. Tethers should be removed from the marketplace,” Wolko told us. “We have scientifically proven that they increase the risk of injury for all vehicle occupants, including the people and the dog.”

For in-cabin air travel, if your pet is not a service animal, they must travel in a carrier that fits under the airplane seat. But always check with your airline beforehand to make sure your bag will make it onboard. “The airlines are changing the requirements for the sizing of carriers on a regular basis because they’re trying to build a better sardine can for us,” Wolko said. What’s more, the sizing requirements vary from airline to airline and from aircraft to aircraft.

Ticket agents likely won’t scrutinize a carrier if it’s a few inches too big, especially soft-sided models that can compress down a bit. I’ve flown both domestically and internationally with my chonky cats in slightly oversize carriers—including an earlier version of the carrier we found to be best for cats and small dogs, the compressible SturdiBag Pro 2.0—and no one ever broke out the measuring tape. But you don’t want to push it too far or you can risk being denied boarding.

If you’re flying with a dog who can’t fit into an in-cabin carrier, you’ll have to decide whether you want to let your pet ride in the cargo hold. But this is a big decision, and you’ll be limited in your options. For those who aren’t active military service members or with the State Department, United and Delta have both stopped shipping pets as cargo. American Airlines and Alaska Airlines still allow civilian pets to travel as cargo (as of this writing), but each airline may have breed, temperature, and geographic restrictions. It may feel incredibly stressful to fly with your pet in an airplane’s cargo hold, but at least the general requirements on which kennel to use are relatively straightforward: The International Air Transport Association (IATA) publishes kennel guidelines used by most commercial airlines.

No matter what, don’t forget to make a reservation for your pet in advance. There’s usually a fee associated, and some airlines limit the number of animals allowed on each flight. If you’re flying internationally, check the USDA’s site for your destination country’s pet travel requirements.

Every expert we spoke with agreed that an animal should be able to comfortably stand up, turn around, and lie back down in any enclosure. But travel kennels and carriers should have less space inside than your dog’s crate at home. When a kennel or carrier has a snugger fit, there’s less room for an animal to bang around during an emergency, and that can help minimize blunt-force trauma, according to Racette.

Still, there’s very little consistency in specific sizing recommendations, and each manufacturer seems to have a different opinion in terms of how to size their product for your pet. So make sure the seller has a good return policy, in case a kennel or carrier turns out to be too small or too large.

Introduce your pets to their carriers or kennels well before leaving for a trip, so they don’t associate them only with the trauma of travel. If your pets aren’t used to being contained, and you contain them for the first time the day you leave, “they may throw a full-fledged tantrum because they don’t understand that the crate is a safe space,” warned Brandi Hunter Munden, VP of PR and communications at the American Kennel Club.

You should also get a harness for your cat and acclimate them to it before travel. A harness will let you attach your cat to a carrier’s interior leash tether, which can prevent them from bolting into the dark recesses of your car or, worse, an airplane if you have to open the carrier. Plus, when you remove the cat from their carrier to go through security, a harness will give you something to hang onto if (when) they try to squirm out of your arms.

Just make sure the harness is a good fit—not too loose or too tight. In the month before our Italy trip, I put my cats in their little “vests” every day, building up to a few hours at a time. The extra-small-size Voyager—it’s a pick in our guide to dog harnesses—worked well for two of them, but we went up to a size small for my chunky girl. By the time we departed, the harness was a non-issue for all three cats.

You’ll also want to trim your pet’s claws before you go. It’s not fun getting on a flight with bloody wounds (ask me how I know).

For large senior dogs, you may want to invest in a ramp to help them get in and out of a car more easily. (We haven’t tested ramps yet, but this one is well reviewed on Chewy.) Try to teach them how to use it before you leave—and make sure they’re physically able to climb it—otherwise you may end up lifting them in and out anyway.

Plenty of hotels and Airbnbs allow animals, but you’ll need to confirm with them first and make sure their pet-friendly rooms aren’t already booked up. Most hotels charge an extra fee for your pet, either nightly or per stay, which will add to the total cost.

You can make your pet feel more at home in their overnight lodging by bringing their bed along. We’d recommend something like the FurHaven Trail Pup Packable Pet Pillow, one of our dog bed picks for travel, or the Timberdog RuffRest, which we cover in that guide’s section on other good dog beds. Both are portable and pack down relatively small. Whatever bed you bring, have your pet sleep on it for at least a few nights before the trip so it smells like them, and like home.

But a curious or scared pet might just want to hide out in a dark place. I once had to delay checking out for 45 minutes before discovering my cat in a shoebox-sized crevice under the bathroom sink at a La Quinta Inn. So be aware of any nooks your pet could disappear into.

Animals can—and likely will—pee, poop, or puke, depending on the length of your journey.

On road trips, you can tackle any unfortunate messes with a roll of paper towels and a bottle of cleaning solution, like the Nature’s Miracle lineup for dogs and cats. You can also bring your cat’s regular litter box from home, making it available for them to use inside the vehicle during rest stops (but they might be too stressed out to use it). Move the box into your hotel room at the end of each day.

On flights, a pack of good wipes, like Wet Ones for Pets, can help clean up accidents. I bring a small package of 30, so it doesn’t add too much extra weight in my backpack. For cats, a portable litter box will come in handy in airport pet-relief areas, but keep in mind these are typically very small. Make sure you pack some of your cat’s regular litter in your carry-on, in either a zip-top bag or doubled-up grocery bags (you don’t want to spring a leak), and get some liners for the box as well, to make cleanup easier. But of the three cats I’ve flown with, only one has ever been brave enough to use the litter box at the airport. The other two usually tried to hold it until they felt totally safe, but on extended journeys, they weren’t always successful.

So no matter how you travel, pee pads will be your best friend. We like these washable pee pads. For a long trip, the disposable ones make more sense, so you’re not carrying a stinky bundle around with you. Petco and Chewy each have their own in-house brands at decent prices, and Costco has a good deal on its Kirkland Signature Extra-Large Absorbent Pads.

You might also appreciate having a lint roller on hand for your own clothes—cats in particular can shed an astonishing amount of fur when they’re nervous.

Some animals are more prone to motion sickness than others, especially in cars. One of the best things you can do is have them travel on an empty stomach. But if that doesn’t stop them from throwing up (or if they’re drooling a lot), ask your vet to suggest an anti-nausea medication to keep them comfortable.

Cleaning up puke is no fun, and even though a good carrier or kennel will contain most messes, you should still consider protecting your car’s interior with a waterproof seat cover or cargo liner. These clip around the head rests, so they stay in place, but a sheet or towels can also work in a pinch. A mini-vac is also great to have in the car. And if your dog is a semi-professional car puker, like mine is, a wet/dry vac will do even more of the heavy lifting during cleanup when you get home.

If your animal is a nervous traveler, spraying the car, their carrier, and other new places with a calming pheromone spray—such as Feliway for cats or Adaptil for dogs—might help them relax (or it might not; your mileage may vary). Dr. Wailani Sung, a veterinary behaviorist we spoke to in 2022 about calming your pet during fireworks shows, recommended those two. Your vet can also recommend the appropriate anti-anxiety meds to take the edge off.

But don’t consult Dr. Google! Your actual veterinarian—with their knowledge of your pet’s medical history—knows better than the internet (which might also tell you to eat rocks). Your vet will also know whether the new meds could interact badly with any existing medications your pet may be on. If you have time leading up to your trip, give your pet a trial run of any new meds, just to make sure they don’t have a negative or an unexpected reaction to the drug. I’ve used sprays, over-the-counter drugs, and prescription meds on my animals during travel, but what works for one pet might not work for another.

If you do use drugs, know that sometimes their effects can wear off before the end of the journey, so be ready to give another pill if the proper dosage allows.

“You also want to keep your car well ventilated,” the American Kennel Club’s Munden said. And a kennel or carrier could help with both motion sickness and anxiety because it limits a pet’s view and creates a den-like space.

Your pet may be too stressed out to eat or drink, but you should have food and water available just in case. You can bring dry food with you in resealable plastic bags or grocery bags, and pour it into collapsible bowls. These are great for both plane rides and car rides, but regular bowls will work on road trips, since you have more space. For the past year, I’ve also been sharing my own water with Dave, using this insulated bottle from Springer. It does double duty because it has a silicone bowl that attaches to the bottom of the bottle, so it takes up very little extra space in my bag.

It’s important to keep your pet hydrated, especially during the warmer months. Some species-specific flavored broth might entice an otherwise-reluctant animal to drink. I’ve used Brutus Bone Broth’s Brutus on the Go packets when Dave has turned his nose up at plain water. You can carry the small packets with you wherever you go, including on a plane, and mix the powder into water when it’s time to entice your pet to drink.

Animals can overheat in hot cars, so you want to keep the air flowing. If your car doesn’t have rear AC vents (mine doesn’t), you can use something like The Noggle to direct cold air to the back. I used the 10-foot version on a recent summer road trip to the West Coast, and it helped keep Dave safe and cool in his kennel. I also used a portable fan to improve airflow. And I kept tabs on the kennel’s temperature with a remote temperature sensor, which was recommended to me from one of my colleagues who covers smart-home products.

Cars can heat up or cool down quickly, putting an animal at risk of heat stroke or hypothermia (or worse). Unless you own one of the fancy new EVs with Pet Comfort or Dog Mode climate-control software (which can maintain the car’s interior temp while you’re gone), you should never leave your pet unattended in a vehicle—even with the windows open on a nice day. It’s harder if you’re traveling solo with a cat, so you might have to bring her (in her carrier) into the rest stop stall with you. But if your cat is leash-trained, first of all, bravo! And second, your life will be a little easier at pit stops.

Airplane cabins are less risky temperature-wise (the cargo hold is a whole other conversation). Yet “mostly it comes down to the brachycephalic, or the smush-faced breeds of dogs, where even though they’re in-cabin, they can still overheat,” veterinarian Molly Racette said. So if you have one of these dogs, consider bringing a small portable fan to move air around them when they’re under the seat during takeoff and landing.

On road trips, you should take lots of breaks. For dogs especially, “you want to make sure you’re stopping frequently for a potty break,” the American Kennel Club’s Munden said.

And stick as close to your pet’s routine as you can, especially with dogs, who need to get their walks in. “You want to be mindful of the fact that they have needs too, and try and stay as close to their schedule as possible,” Munden said. So if you usually walk your dog at 8 a.m., 2 p.m., and 8 p.m., try to keep to that schedule, even on the road.

This article was edited by Christine Ryan and Catherine Kast.

1. Molly Racette, DVM, DACVECC, clinical assistant professor in emergency and critical care at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, phone interview, June 12, 2024

2. Juliet Caviness, DVM, clinical instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, phone interview, May 8, 2024

3. Becca Bell, national program project manager at Canine Companions, phone interview, April 8, 2024

4. Brandi Hunter Munden, vice president of public relations and communications, American Kennel Club, phone interview, May 6, 2024

5. Johan Ivarsson, PhD, biomechanical engineer, Forensic Failure Engineering, LLC, phone interview, May 6, 2024

6. Lindsey A. Wolko, founder of Center for Pet Safety, phone interview, May 3, 2024

7. Wailani Sung, DVM, veterinary behaviorist, San Francisco SPCA, phone interview, June 13, 2022