TheBestTravelAccessories.com - pet travel accessory


Menu



Google



Americans' passion with their pets has meant massive amounts of money being spent each year. Pet spending has more than doubled from $17 billion in 1994 to $38 billion in 2006, so it's no wonder that the travel industry is getting into this market. More and more people today are taking their pets with them on trips, especially their dogs, and they are traveling in style!

In the past, dog owners were limited in their choice of accommodations. This is not so, today, however. Pet-friendly lodgings with amenities for our favorite four-legged friends are on the rise. Several hotel chains have become pet friendly with programs that provide special bedding and food and water bowls. Some hotels even offer doggie robes, turndowns treats for your pets' beds, doggie day care and sessions with a pet masseuse or therapist.

Even Happy Hour can now have a doggie twist - owners and their pets mix. While your dog is enjoying his gourmet treats, you can socialize over cocktails and hors d'oeuvres.

There are also companies that offer "pet trips" - vacation activities for both owners and their pets. They can include both owner and pet activities together, or owner only events where pet sitting is provided. Adventure trips can even include camping and canoeing, where park permits and doggie life jackets are provided. Obviously companies will not accept aggressive pets and owners have to fill out a very detailed application for their pets.

Does your pet travel well? If not, you may want to invest in a prescription or one of the numerous natural products that will help calm your pet. Be sure to get your veterinarians approval before administering any medication, however. And if you're flying, you may want to reconsider sedating your pet. Tranquilizers are the primary cause of illness or death in dog air travel, according to statistics. Some airlines have even prohibited tranquilized pets from flying.

Following is a list of items to include whenever you take your pet with you on a trip:
  • Your veterinarian's contact information.
  • Your pet's medical records (and make sure he is up-to-date on his vaccinations).
  • An extra collar with ID tags and leashes.
  • Ample bottled water for your pet. It's not uncommon for your pet to experience an upset stomach because of the change in water. (If this happens and the dog gets diarrhea, give him some rice if possible).
  • Enough pet food and treats for the entire trip.
  • Water and food bowls.
  • Plastic spoons for mixing and dishing out food.
  • Flea powder - even though your pet may start out with no fleas, he could definitely pick some up on the trip and the last thing you would want is to have fleas in your car or motel room.