I’m a traveler myself. I can’t seem to be able to stay put in one place. That has prevented me from getting a pet and it has been tough. I grew up with dogs and moving around without one felt quite lonely. I decided to investigate this whole situation  and I learned that there are many things I can do to be able to travel with a dog so I can finally add one to my ever-moving life!

If you think about it, a lot of people are scared of flying. Can you imagine how stressed and scared a dog can get if you put him on a plane? Yet sometimes you don’t have a choice! There are several things you can do to provide a better environment for your dog during the flight and it won’t be too bad.

I will get you through the necessary steps for air travelling with your pet and that extra mile you can take to make it easier for our furry friends.

Airline policies and fares

Each airline will have different ways of dealing with this situation, but they will most certainly be well written somewhere. Check out their website or even give them a call to ask them as many questions as you need.

Sometimes you will even need a reservation for your dog, apart from yours! Cargo charges will also apply even if your dog is small enough to travel in the main cabin with you. It’s more about the fare applied to the responsibility of caring for a selfless being.

Make sure you get to the airport well ahead of your flight time because the check in process won’t be a fast one!

A certified healthy pet

You probably already know that your dog is healthy because if you’re going through the whole process of making these arrangements, it probably means that you take great care of him! I know you do. So, getting him to the vet will probably be something you do on a regular basis.

In order to fly, the airline demands a health certificate. You need to have a licensed veterinarian do the examination and sign off on it. You can check with the airline as far as how soon can you give this to them from the moment you make your reservation. They won’t let your dog on the plane if the certificate is not there, so you can keep it with your travel information and show it when you’re checking in, but some people prefer getting it to the airline even days before the flight, as soon as they get it.

Another thing you need to ask the vet is if you’re dog is in a –high risk- category. Heart and lung diseases are of course a no-go for the trip, since chances are the pup won’t make it, so you would need other choices. However, he may be generally healthy but be a short-nosed breed. These tend to overheat easily. It doesn’t mean they can’t travel, it just means you have to take extra measures to keep them cool. The dog’s age is also something to take into account too, because if he’s too young or too old, they are prone to being extra fearful and nervous. At the end of the day, as far as risk issues, it’s your call.

Getting him there

The airline will demand certain aspects to comply for the carrier that the dog is travelling in.

If the flight is short and the dog is small enough to fit in a flexible pet-bag that can go underneath the seat in front of you, you can take him with you in the cabin. At times, you are allowed to take him out for a little bit, but you definitely can’t let him roam the halls by himself.

If the flight is longer or if the dog is larger, you need to take other measures. The airlines will demand a crate of a certain size. It needs to be tall enough for the dog to be able to stand up and not hit its head. It also needs to be wide enough for the dog to be able to stand up and comfortably turn.

Some airlines have restrictions and demands as far as food and water. Of course you know you have to give your dog a healthy and stable food and water supply; however, the airline sometimes needs to know that there’s extra, in case the flight is delayed or the route is changed and you end up on the plane for a few more hours.

A good way to ensure the water supply is to freeze in the dish the night before. This way, on your way to the airport and by the time the dog gets put on the plane, the water will be nice and fresh.

Getting the dog ready

You should feed the dog as little as possible before you travel. You can feed him a little more the day before maybe, but not too much before the actual flight.

Another thing to consider is the dog’s ability to handle being on the crate. To ensure that, you can make him sleep there for a few nights before you travel. Also, you can simulate the movement, since the crate will be handled in the airport (handled with care! but handled nonetheless).

And the last thing you can do is put a piece of your clothing inside of it. This way, the dog will feel a bit more comfortable with your scent there.

I hope that was useful and you get to travel with your furry friend! I know it was for me!

About the author:

Eugenia Sincovich is an Argentinean writer that can’t seem to stay in one place! She loves everything that reminds her that she’s alive and does her best to convey those feelings into her texts. She currently writes for iNetGiant.

By Joe Laing

Traveling to the Florida Keys in an RV is a great way to take a vacation while taking your pet or pets along with you at the same time. You will be driving from the southeastern tip of Florida across vast bridges and small islands to the southernmost tip of the U.S. And since the Keys are so pet-friendly, it’s the ideal getaway for the entire family.

It’s a long drive to Key West, and you’ll want to stop often to take in the sights on the various Keys you cross along the way. There are plenty of places to stay, but you will always want to plan in advance and book ahead. The Sunshine Key RV Resort on Big Pine Key allows pets. Also, on Grassy Key you’ll find Jolly Roger Travel Park, however you will be required to make a deposit when bringing a pet. At the Key Largo Kampground and Marina your dog’s size must be less than 40 pounds and you cannot be toting more than two pets. Pets are permitted at Sugarloaf Key/Key West KOA and they even have an interactive dog park just for your four-legged travel companion!

You need to have a place to let your dog out to run and get some exercise and the different parks on the Keys provide this. The most popular and talked about dog park in Key West is the Higgs Beach Dog Park, with areas for separating large and small dogs and drinking water provided. It is oceanside, which makes it nice for you.

Long Key State Park has nature trails to explore, and lots of plants and wildlife. Pets must be leashed and are allowed in many areas as long as they are well-behaved. The same is true for Curry Hammock State Park in Marathon, Florida. You’ll love exploring the mangrove swamps and wetlands there.

All through the year, you’ll find many events for visitors. One of the best for dog-lovers is the 8th Annual Key West Dachshund Walk. It is free to attend and you will love watching this unique gathering of dachshunds from around the world. The parade is short but sweet, so be sure to be there right on time at noon. It will probably be over by 1:00! National media coverage will be happening so get ready for some crowds as well.

A wonderfully thrilling activity in the Florida Keys is fishing, of course. You can charter a fishing trip with Dirty Water Charters and get yourself a trophy catch. This company allows dogs under 50 pounds to come along if they are well-behaved!

At the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key, you are in for a treat. Not only are dogs allowed (on a short leash) but you will discover thousands of acres of forests and wetlands to explore. You will find Blue Hole is an interesting place to visit and Jack Watson’s Nature Trail, too.

You’ll also find that John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is another great place to stay for a while. There is an RV campground conveniently inside the park. If you want to fish here, you can do so in designated areas, and you’ll need a saltwater fishing license.

Curry Hammock State Park provides a wonderful and thriving habitat for the wildlife of these tropics. If you have kids with you, they can play at the playground. There are picnic tables and grills and mangrove swamps to wander. The weather should be ideal this time of year, but you should still keep that suntan lotion close at hand.

The dog-friendly beaches are a great way to spend an afternoon. Take your pet to Veteran’s Memorial Park located on Little Duck Key. If dogs are leashed, they are allowed here. Anne’s Beach is another place to get some quiet, with nice secluded stretches of beach. Walk along the boardwalk with your pet leashed and enjoy some winter sun.

Remember, traveling with a dog is never completely simple, but you can make it as easy as possible when taking your vacation in an RV. Take your pet with you whenever possible. If you do leave an animal in an RV while you go off exploring, be sure to leave on some air conditioning, or at least a fan, so they don’t get too hot.

Always do your own research ahead of time, because rules do change from time to time and you don’t want any surprises. This way you can have a wonderful trip with your pet in the Florida Keys.

About the Author

Joe Laing is the Marketing Director of El Monte RV, a nationwide provider of RV rentals and used RV sales.

Mention pets and pests and most animal owners automatically think of the fleas so common during warmer months.

But fleas aren’t the only pests that can cause trouble for your pets.Indeed, the cold months bring a new host of pests to pester you and your pooch!

From overwintering bugs that can sicken your pet, to bed bugs that can hitch a ride on your animal – there are lots of overwintering insects that bug your pet and your entire household. Be vigilant when the winter months come on – prepare your pet and your house for the colder months and you’ll be sure to enjoy plenty of cozy winter nights with your animal.

How Do They Get Inside: Overwintering Pests

You ever wonder where bugs go when it’s no longer warm? Some die off, others migrate and still others look forward to the warmth of your house.  Common overwintering bugs are ants, termites, box elder bugs and even wasps, which lay eggs on things like firewood; once inside, the eggs hatch and you’ve got a buzzing surprise.

Here are a few of the top ways bugs get inside during the winter:

• Holiday travel: Many of us will travel during the holidays. Unfortunately staying in hotels is an easy way to bring bed bugs home on your luggage or even your clothes.
• Winter wood: Often left outside on the ground, wood is an ideal place for an insect to hide out and breed. When the wood comes inside, they come out to play.
• Cracks and openings: Sealing up your windows and patching even the tiniest holes in your home’s exterior not only keeps energy bills low, it cuts a major entry point for bugs.

What Does It Mean For My Pet?

You may wonder how an insect can be a threat to your pet. Though many are harmless, plenty of insects can sicken a pet. Here are a few ways:

• Poisonous:  Many pet owners see no harm in letting their pets eat bugs.  But without a guide to household spiders and other bugs, it’s difficult to know which ones are toxic. Would you recognize a brown recluse if you saw one? If the answer is no, you shouldn’t be letting your pet eat bugs.
• Allergic reactions: It’s important to remember that pets have allergies to all kinds of things – including bugs.  As we mentioned above, wasps and bees aren’t just a summer problem. Hatchlings can emerge in winter wood and buzz through your home. One sting and you’re in for a night at the vet.
• General discomfort: Bed bugs are the top culprit here. While these bloodsuckers prefer to dine on you rather than your pet, a cat or a dog can become an easy substitute. More likely, however, is that your pet will transfer insects from room to room as he or she lays on infested beds.

Protecting Your Pets

You know how pests can get into your home and how they can harm your pet. Now, what can you do about it? There are a few simple and cost-effective ways to keep your home and your pets pest-free this winter.

• Take your pet for a winter checkup: Let the start of the winter give you the perfect excuse to give your pet a seasonal checkup. Be sure to ask your vet about common pet allergies and if possible, get your animal tested. Knowing what your pet is allergic to is useful if your pet has a bug bite or even if they get caught nosing through holiday leftovers!
• Be as vigilant about bugs in the winter as you are in the summer:  Pest control is a year-round effort. Clearing debris and trimming bushes and hedges around your yard is one of the easiest ways to keep pests away during the winter.  Here are a few more seasonal DIY pest control tips.
• Keep your pet clean: Proper grooming of your pet is essential – don’t slack off during the cooler months when your pet may spend more time inside. Regularly washing your pet will let you spot things like bug bites early. Also keep their sleeping, eating and play areas clutter free. Pests love little nooks and crannies. Don’t give them a hiding place.
• Travel carefully: Many travelers do a cursory check of hotel bedding after check in. Look a little more closely – if you spot small, black speckles that look almost like tiny droppings, change hotels. Bed bugs are extremely easy to transport and not as easy to get rid of.
• Invest in an essential oil product: There are plenty of pet-friendly products that contain safe levels of these oils known for repelling bugs. Make your own natural bug repellant or buy an all-natural spray. Spritz your pet for an organic layer of pest protection that smells good.
• Wash pet bedding and soft toys: Bed bugs in particular will die in heat of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If you suspect bed bugs are on your pet, contact your veterinarian then thoroughly wash bedding and put it in the dryer for up to 20 minutes. For items that can’t be washed, put them in a sealed plastic bag and place them in direct sunlight for a day or two.

Prepare your house, keep a close eye on your animal and pests won’t be in your hair (or your pet’s!) this winter!

Joan Perry is a writer for PestControlExperts.com, an online resource for DIY pest control. Visit PCE for more tips on keeping pests away from your pets and your home.

Your pets always know when something is up. Whether you’re leaving for an overnight business trip, taking off for two weeks, or packing for a big move, your four-legged companions become anxious from the moment they hear the first zipper slide open on your travel bag.

Big moves, however, can be a lot more stressful for pets than a simple road trip. Not only are they experiencing the inevitable anxiety of change, they’re also dealing with a constantly changing environment where things that were familiar to them are being boxed up, thrown away and altered on a daily basis. Because of this, before you even bring home the first box or pack up your first bag, consider making some of following accommodations to ease this very anxious and nerve-wracking time.

Create a safe place

A safe place for your pet is an area that will change very little (if at all) during the moving process and should be introduced early on to your pet. About a week or two before you begin packing, slowly start to keep your pets in this safe place until they’re comfortable being there for several hours on end. It should not feel like a form of punishment for them. Rather, have several of their favorite toys on hand, their bed (be sure not to wash it as they’ll need their scent on it to feel secure), a piece or two of your own dirty/old clothing to provide them with your scent, plenty of fresh water, and their regular food.

Be sure to continue to exercise them regularly and congratulate them for staying quietly in their safe place every time you let them out. Additionally, safe places should be temperature controlled, well ventilated and have proper lighting. Examples include bathrooms, a spare room that’s already been cleared out, a spacious and empty closet, or even a neighbor’s house, if they don’t mind you dropping by and leaving your pet for extended periods of time.

Don’t pack up the safe place until the very last minute and be sure to use a lot of the items kept in the safe place on the road trip. For smaller dogs and cats, or for cars with plenty of space, bring the pet bed and/or the old clothes to give your pets a comforting and familiar scent. Some of the toys could also come along, though you don’t want to bring too many as they can quickly clutter up the car and get in the way.

Once you arrive at your new place, the safe place items should be the very first items you unpack. These should be immediately placed in a room as similar as possible to the one they were in before you moved. Continue to congratulate your pets and keep them on their normal exercise schedule as much as possible until your house is ready for them.

Preparing for the trip

The actual trip should also be planned out well in advance. The first thing to consider is whether you will be traveling by ground or by air. Airline travel can be a particularly anxious time for your pet and it can also be an incredible hassle for pet owners. If you plan to transport your pet by air, be sure to check on the following:

Will you be traveling nationally or internationally?

If traveling internationally, contact the consulate at your destination country and request the forms and list of tests required to bring your pet into the country. World embassy information and addresses can be found at http://www.state.gov and additional information about pet requirements can be found under “Foreign Entry Requirements.” While there, it would be a good idea to check on the requirements for bringing your pet back into the United States, should you choose to return at a later date. Don’t be surprised if your pet is required to be quarantined for rabies, which can last for up to six months.

Airline pet requirements

Many airlines require that you have evidence of a full physical and proof of up-to-date vaccines before boarding, and in some cases these are required to be done within a week or even a few days of boarding. Make sure you have reviewed all of the airline’s requirements well in advance of your travel date.

Is there room for your pet?

Some airlines only take a limited number of animals per flight, so be sure you are registered and approved for your pet’s travel well in advance.

Check before you medicate.

In most instances, pets do much better traveling if they don’t take any medication, as they most likely want to have all of their senses working at peak performance. If you have a particularly anxious pet, however, check with your vet before travel about possible sedatives.

If you’re traveling by land, make sure that your pet is secure during the ride either by using a pet carrier or pet safety belt at all times. Make you take frequent stops to allow for exercise and if you will be staying at hotels, call ahead of time to ensure that they are not only pet-friendly, but have rooms available. If possible, ask them for a list of their pet policies in advance. Some hotels try to sneak in extra charges for miscellaneous items and its best to avoid these if at all possible.

You should also have a pet travel kit on hand with several if not all of the following items:

-       Enough food for the trip plus an extra few days’ worth in case of an emergency. Be sure to use their regular food as new food might cause indigestion or even nausea and diarrhea — not fun on long car trips.

-       A gallon of water per day/per pet. You could also freeze a few bowls of water in plastic bowls so they can enjoy it while traveling with little spillage.

-       All of your pet’s records from your veterinarian for your new vet and in case they’re needed on the trip.

-       An updated dog tag with your new address and contact information.

-       Ask your vet to make sure your microchip is updated with your new address and contact information, and if your pet isn’t micro-chipped, be sure to get one.

-       A recent picture of your pet in case he/she goes missing.

-       Any sedatives if recommended by your veterinarian.

Even if you take the time to prepare for your move with your pet, there’s always the chance of unforeseen complications. The best thing you can do is to try and get as much done and out of the way as possible beforehand and try to make the move as easy as possible on both you and your furry companions.

What are some unforeseen complications you’ve experienced while moving with your pet? What would you recommend to pet owners who are planning on long travel times with their pets?

Kenneth McCall is a managing partner for storage.com, which provides the online systems to help customers find the best self-storage units for their needs. Through Kenneth’s and his team’s work, customers can find Euless storage units and self-storage in other southern cities and towns. In his spare time, Kenneth likes to hike, ski and participate in other outdoor activities.

When it comes to their dogs, most owners often treat them as members of the family. As a result, more and more people are looking to travel with their faithful companions, opting to share adventures abroad over leaving their friends behind. Though enjoyable, traveling with your dog is no day at the beach, but with the right planning and a bit of research is doesn’t have to be mission impossible. Here are four tips for every pet owner looking to hit the road with their furry-friend.

Preparation: The smartest way to go about packing for your dog is to do so as if you were packing for yourself. There are some things you may be able to find at your destination, but it’s probably better to bring them with you. Things like your dog’s favorite pillow, blanket, or chew toy provides familiarity and helps her feel more comfortable and relaxed during travel. Pet Passports, which are basically certifications from your vet that your dog is healthy and current on all vaccinations, should always be kept handy for international travel, along with whatever pet meds your dog may require. The fear of losing a pet is often a factor in why owners tend not leave the dog at home. But microchipping your dog can put all those fears to rest. Hardly bigger than a grain of rice, a pet shelter will be able to identify you as the owner and contact you should you and your dog become separated.

Air Travel Options: The rules and conditions for traveling with you dog differ from airline to airline, and depend on everything from destination, to size, and weight of your dog. For instance, Delta airlines will allow small dogs in the cabin, larger dogs will be checked in with bags, but even then they only allow four pets per flight at a cost of around $150 each way.  American Eagle Airlines also allows dogs in the cabin at $125 each way, and pets checked with cargo at $175 each way.  It also states in its policy that dogs, including the kennel, can weigh no more than 100 pounds for the cargo area, 20 pounds in the cabin. You can check out Dog Friendly.com for a complete list of doggie airline policies.

Dog-Friendly Destination: From mountain ranges to big city thrills, there are plenty of dog-friendly destinations that the entire family can enjoy. Several vineyards in California, Virginia, Missouri, Michigan, Florida and Oregon welcome four-legged friends and their owners with open arms.  If you like a little bit of sport with your pet fun, Hollywood Florida celebrates the super bowl each year with its very own Dog Bowl. Owners and pets take part in games, all the while dressed in their favorite team’s colors.

If the kids want to have fun in Florida, never fear…Magic Kingdom, Epcot Center, The Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom and Fort Wilderness all have top-rated kennels that can mind the pooch while you enjoy the rides.

For a list of locations both foreign and domestic that have good pet accommodations, check out Bring Fido.com and plan a getaway that both you and the dog can enjoy.

Hotel Options: You’ll be happy to know that there’s practically no city in the US or abroad that doesn’t cater to pets. The other side of that coin is that, like the airlines, policies and prices will vary from place to place. But with just a bit of research, and a few phone calls, you can have a reservation in a hotel that will give you and your pet the V.I.P. treatment. While name brand hotels like Westin, Sheraton and The W, all provide for pets. There are fees, weight, and area restrictions set by the hotel’s policy though, so make sure you check ahead. Kimpton Hotels, however, would probably top the list for pet owners by welcoming all pets, no matter what size or species. Guest do not have to pay any form of pet fees, and the trendy hotel provides everything from beds, to gourmet meals, to a director of pet relations for man’s best friend.

Jackie Roberts is a writer for 1-800-PetMeds, and loves to help and support the pet community. You can find Pet Meds on Twitter or connect with Pet Meds on Youtube.