Traveling With Your Pet

53% of pet owners travel with their pets.* Conejo Valley Veterinary Hospital can help you make it a pleasure for you and your pet. ( *American Animal Hospital Association )
Road Travel

Enjoy your trip. If you provide these travel necessities, you can almost eliminate the chance your pet will become injured or ill on a car or truck trip:

Pet Carrier. A carrier is the best way to transport a pet. Inside a car, a carrier keeps pets and passengers safe. In the bed of a truck, the carrier can save your pet’s life. Unsecured or improperly tethered pets run real risks of injury and escape in a truck bed. The carrier should be large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around comfortably.

Water. Fresh water is extremely important, especially on longer trips and hot days. Bringing water from home can help prevent the gastrointestinal problems some pets experience when traveling.

Rest Stops. There are designated areas for pets at most rest stops. Stop frequently so your pet can stretch its legs and relieve itself. Remember to keep your pet on a leash and bring plastic bags for clean-up.
Temperature Never leave your pet alone in a vehicle on hot day. Leaving the windows down doesn’t solve the temperature problem. A parked car traps heat and can reach lethal temperatures in minutes.

Air Travel

Talk to the airline about their pet travel policy. Be sure you know what size carrier is acceptable and what documents are required. Don’t travel in hot or cold weather. Pets generally fly in the cargo area and are more subject to temperature extremes. Some small pets can travel with their owners on some airlines.

At Conejo Valley Veterinary Hospital we don’t usually recommend tranquilizing a pet. It is more difficult for your pet to regulate its body temperature and blood pressure when it’s sedated. But each case is individual. Talk to your pet’s personal vet.

Travel Documents

The US Department of Agriculture requires any pet crossing state lines to have a health certificate. It certifies that your pet is free of communicable diseases like rabies so that disease is not spread from one state to another. It is usually valid for 30 days.

All the vets at Conejo Valley Veterinary Hospital are federally accredited veterinarians who can issue the certificate. A thorough examination and a review of your pet’s vaccination history is required. We can usually issue the certificate immediately.

If you are traveling to Hawaii or to another country, additional vaccinations and documents may be required. Import laws and quarantine periods vary. Call us as soon as you know your travel plans.

Motion Sickness

Vocalization, panting, pacing, salivation, vomiting, these are all symptoms of motion sickness. Many young pets have the symptoms, then grow out of them. Some never do. There is a lot you can do to minimize the symptoms.
• A full stomach can cause nausea. Feed your pet two hours or more before you leave.
• Long trips are more pleasant for everyone with frequent stops.
• Never allow your pet to become overheated.
• Short car trips are the best way to start. Then, little by little, increase the length of the trips.
• Some pets require medication for motion sickness. Talk to us about it.
• Be sure your pet is wearing its identification and license tags. Permanent microchip identification is a great solution for pets who travel a lot.
• Always contact all the places you’ll be staying in advance. You want to be sure the welcome mat is out for your pet.
• Help your pet feel at home on the road. Bring along toys, dishes and favorite foods.

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