Considering taking your pet on vacation?

Not all pets should travel. Some pets don't even want to travel. Here are a few ways to figure out if you should bring your pet with you on vacation.

• Is your pet healthy? Pets that are ill, have limited mobility, on medical treatment, or are elderly, may not be the best candidates for travel. Your veterinarian should be able to advise you best. And even if your pet is healthy, where will you go if your pet needs emergency care?
• Does your pet have the right temperament for travel? Traveling means new sights, new sounds, new surroundings, and new people. Well–socialized animals are much more likely to enjoy themselves. Pets that are anxious in new environments or nervous around strangers will likely not have a good time – nor will you, if you're constantly trying to sooth a distraught pet.
• Can you travel to your destination by car? Most people who travel with their pets do so by car, since it allows you to keep your pet near you. Reconsider if you must put your pet on an airplane since you won't be able to monitor his well–being. Be sure to check with your airline regarding restrictions.
• How “pet friendly” are the accommodations you are staying at? You need to keep these things in mind: What will you do when you go out to dinner? Most hotels will not let you leave a pet in a room unattended, and leaving him alone could get him upset or anxious in the unfamiliar setting of your hotel. Even the quietest, calmest dog may become barky and destructive when he's not at home. Where will you take him to eliminate? The hotel needs to have an area for grass walks. Has your pet ever been in an elevator? This seems rather easy for a person, but can be quite scary for even the most well–rounded dog. Does your hotel have a damage waiver, and what could it really cost you in the long run?
• Is your dog a barker? This is an especially important question if you're going to be staying in an accommodation that has other guests nearby. No one likes to be disturbed by a barking dog (and the hotel isn't going to be too pleased with you either).
• What do you plan to do on vacation? If your idea of a holiday is to take in the local attractions – attractions that do not allow pets – then it might be best to leave your pet with someone you trust. For example, if you're planning to spend the entire day skiing then it's probably not appropriate to bring your dog.
• And most importantly, how much fun will your pet have?