Loki loved to go hiking and camping. By
the time she was 6, she had been up and down the
West Coast and seen everything from deserts to
mountains. During the day, she alternated
between roaming the trails and riding around on
top of her dad’s Kelty pack. At night,
she shared a tent, and frequently a sleeping bag,
with her parents. No one in is quite sure
how they started taking Loki hiking and camping. After
all, it’s not exactly usual to bring your
Siamese cat with you when you go hiking in Death
Valley or the high country in Oregon.
Although Loki’s parents may have been a
little ahead of their time, today it is completely
common for people to bring their companion animals
on trips of all types. If you are planning
to travel with your pet, here are some tips to
make the trip significantly more enjoyable for
both you and your furry or feathered friends.
First and foremost, make sure that the place(s)
you are planning to stay accepts animals. Vacationing
with Your Pet is an invaluable resource
for identifying pet friendly hotels across the
country. Having this book on-hand allows
you to either plan in advance or to find places
as you travel. As well as being an incredible
lodging resource, this book is packed with information
about traveling with your pet in both cars and
on airplanes. With tips on everything from
what to pack for your pet to preventing car sickness,
to traveling with your cat, this is one book you
won’t want to go on vacation without.
Second, put identification tags on
all your animals - even those remaining at home. If
you know the information, put a temporary tag on
your dog or cat (the ones you get at the airport
to put on your luggage work great) with the phone
number and address of the home or hotel where you
will be staying your trip.
Third, ensure that you have plenty of food and
water for your pet. The Pet King
Travel Bowl and Jr. Pet King Travel Bowl are
compact, lightweight, and feature leak-proof lids. If
you are just gone for the day, fill the bowls in
advance and bring them with you. They are
perfect for picnics and hotel room feedings.
Fourth, put a copy of Pet First Aid in
your car or suitcase. This book is approved
for use by the American Red Cross and covers just
about any situation - from snake bites and bee
stings to treating seizures.
Finally, if you are planning to travel by car,
make sure that your animal is safely restrained. And
never leave your companion animal in a car unattended. According
to a study conducted by Stanford University, even
if the outside temperature is a comfortable 72
degrees, the temperature inside your car can skyrocket
to over 115 degrees within an hour. Every
year, numerous pets die in cars because their owners
left them in a hot car for “only a few minutes.”
