LIFESTYLE

Pet Travel Guide: Health & Safety Tips

Here are some things to consider before your next trip with your furry friend.

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Key takeaways

Planning a trip with your pet is exciting. Whether you’re heading to a lakeside cottage, crossing the border for a long weekend, or flying somewhere new, bringing your dog or cat along makes the adventure feel complete. However, travel can introduce real health risks that are easy to overlook in the rush of packing and planning, and the time to address these risks is well before departure day. A pre-travel veterinary visit, safe transport, proper identification, and a well-packed travel kit round out a plan that can help you and your furry friend have a smooth trip. Start pre-travel planning several weeks to months in advance — some vaccinations, titers, and country entry requirements (including quarantine) require lead time. Be sure to check specific airline and destination requirements – such as health certificates, crate dimensions, and breed restrictions – and confirm timelines with your veterinarian well before booking.

Before You Go: The Pre-Travel Veterinary Visit

Not every pet needs a full exam before a short trip. However, for longer journeys, cross-border travel, air travel, or any trip to a new region – a veterinary visit is an integral part of your travel plans. Vaccines are one of the first things to consider. Some destinations have disease risks that may be different from where you live, so it’s important to plan in advance. Pets with underlying health conditions may need extra planning and supportive measures to travel safely. Your veterinarian can check what applies to where you’re going and make sure your pet is fully protected before you leave.

At the pre-travel visit, your veterinarian can assess whether your pet is fit for the intended journey, identify any conditions that may be aggravated by travel, and recommend appropriate medications or interventions. With cross-border travel, whether by air or by land, additional health documents may be required. It is important to check what is needed by the airline, and in the country you are traveling to, and engage with your veterinary clinic well in advance of your planned travel. If your pet tends to get anxious or motion sick during travel, this is also the time to discuss it — a trial run before the actual trip is always wiser than discovering a problem on departure day.

A Quick Pre-Travel Checklist

Before you leave, make sure your pet’s collar has current ID tags and that your microchip registration is up to date. If you’re booking hotels or campgrounds, check their pet policies in advance. If you’re staying with friends or family, confirm they can comfortably host a pet and consider how your animal might respond to a new environment.

A well-stocked travel kit should include:

A pet-safe carrier or crate
Familiar food and water (which can help prevent stomach issues)
Leash, collar, or harness with ID tags
Required medications and prescriptions
Relevant medical records, including vaccination records and required health certificates
A basic first aid kit
Bedding and a favorite toy
Any required records or forms for your destination

Before your next trip, consider reviewing these points with your veterinarian:

Vaccines up to date, including rabies
Health certificate obtained if required
Parasite control reviewed for your destination
Pet confirmed fit for the intended journey
Anxiety or motion sickness plan in place if needed
Microchip registered and contact information current
Appropriate carrier or harness

Parasite Risks Vary

When you take your pet to a new region, you’re exposing them to the natural environment of that area, which may be different from what they face at home. This can mean new risks for internal parasites, like intestinal worms, or external parasites, like fleas and ticks. One important parasite to consider is the tick. Ticks are a growing concern in Canada, and they can be found in many parts of the world. The species of ticks present in those areas may often be different than what you may see at home, and the risk to your pet of exposure to tick-borne diseases may be different, too. Your veterinarian is the best resource when discussing the risk of parasite exposure to your pet in the area you are travelling, and can recommend appropriate protection measures. Don’t assume that your pet’s routine parasite control program is sufficient for travel — ask your veterinarian whether your current parasite control program covers the specific risks at your destination.

Specific Tips For Different Means of Transportation

On the Road: Car Travel Safety

The safest way to travel with a pet in a car is in a secured carrier or with a properly fitted harness tethered to the seat belt system. An unsecured pet in a moving vehicle is at risk of injury in an abrupt stop or collision and poses a distraction risk to the driver. Never leave your pet in a parked car. Even with windows partially open, inside temperatures can reach dangerous levels within minutes and can have deadly consequences. On longer drives, be sure to schedule regular water and relief breaks into your travel route.

In the Air: Flying With Your Pet

Air travel often requires more planning than a road trip. Acquaint your pet with their carrier or crate well before the trip — a familiar space can reduce stress significantly. Talk to your veterinarian about whether air travel is appropriate for your pet’s breed and individual health.

References

American Veterinary Medical Association. “ Traveling with your animal”. AVMA. Available from: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/traveling-your-animal
Merck Veterinary Manual. “Planning for travel with pets”. June 2025. Available from: https://www.merckvetmanual.com/special-pet-topics/travel-with-pets/planning-for-travel-with-pets
Canadian Veterinary Medical Association. “Transport of dogs and cats”. 16 May 2024. Available from: https://www.canadianveterinarians.net/policy-and-outreach/position-statements/statements/transport-of-dogs-and-cats/
Canadian Parasitology Expert Panel Guidelines. “Ticks and Mites.” Available from: https://research-groups.usask.ca/cpep/parasites/ticks-and-mites.php
Companion Animal Parasite Council. “Pets and Parasites.” Available from: https://www.petsandparasites.org/about-capc/

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