While some families choose to send their dogs and cats to a kennel — or a fancier "pet hotel" — when traveling, others choose to bring their pets along for the ride.
As it turns out, according to one local veterinarian, that can present a variety of challenges for which pet owners need to be prepared.
Dogs, it turns out, are probably the easiest animals to take along on a trip.
"Dogs are still the supreme travelers, because we typically take them with us anyway, on short trips here and there," said Dr. Marie Lance with Lance Animal Hospital in Gainesville in an interview on WDUN's Bud's Garage show.
Cats, contrary to popular belief, can actually be good travel companions.
"I've actually met cats that do travel well. Usually those are kitties that are traveling in RV's with their families ... but there are some cats that if you start them becoming accustomed to traveling as youngsters, they can do OK," said Lance.
"It's just the litter box restraints that we have with kitties."
When it comes to dogs and cats, Lance said it's a good idea to train them ahead of time to get used to the car, taking them along on short trips as kittens and puppies.
If you have a pet that might get stressed in the car, Lance said to check with your veterinarian before giving the animal any anti-anxiety or anti-motion sickness medications.
Meanwhile, Lance said the pets that really shouldn't come along are pets that need a particular habitat, like a certain temperature or humidity level, such as reptiles.
It's also a good idea to check ahead of time before bringing a pet along, never assuming — even on a year-to-year basis — that it's okay to bring the pet along. A new fiancee in the family might be deathly allergic, or someone might have a new baby.
"It's not a bad idea to call ahead early, maybe make a boarding reservation, just in case it doesn't work out," said Lance.
As far as the trip itself, Lance advised bringing an "evacuation kit" on any road trip where your pet is coming along. All your pet's medications should be inside, plus a picture of the pet and its owner in the event it gets loose.
"You should bring some old sheets (if you're staying in a hotel) to cover the furniture, so we can be welcomed again," said Lance.
The other checklist item to remember in a car, Lance said, is the temperature, making sure your pets don't overheat in the summer months, or freeze in the cooler months.
"Just treat your pet like a child. You wouldn't — God forbid — leave your child alone in the car," said Lance.
