Vet-Approved Guide to Preparing Your Pet for Safe, Stress-Free Transport

Traveling with your pet is more common than we think. In fact, according to NBC News, a whopping 72% of pet parents travel with their pets. This includes 22% taking their pets on flights. Of course, taking your pet on vacation with you or traveling with them to another location is not as simple as it sounds. There are a lot of logistical matters that need to be taken into consideration. And in today’s world, proper preparation matters for pet safety. The ultimate goal is for your pet to be stress-free and extremely safe during transport. 

This guide was also created in partnership with a licensed veterinarian, Dr. Shelby Neely, to support medical accuracy related to pet health and safety during transport. It is designed for pet parents preparing for long-distance travel, including ground transport and accompanied air travel, and focuses on reducing risk rather than eliminating it entirely. This checklist does not replace individualized veterinary advice and may not account for pets with complex or pre-existing medical conditions.

​​This checklist is intended for general educational purposes only and does not replace individualized veterinary advice. These recommendations may not be appropriate for every pet or circumstance, especially for animals with unique health needs, behavioral considerations, or pre-existing medical conditions. Always consult your veterinarian to determine the safest approach for your pet.

How Travel Affects Dogs and Cats

Let’s talk about how travel affects dogs and cats. Traveling affects pets in various ways — from emotional stress to even physical stress. Let’s explore the science behind how stress responds in pets.

Dr. Neely explained that “the stress response an animal experiences when it perceives something as threatening or unfamiliar is also called the HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis).” What does this mean? It means that “during this process, stress comes in the form of a warming surge and the brain releases cortisol and adrenaline. The heart rate and blood pressure increase and blood flow shifts away from digestion and toward muscles.”

These are typical survival mechanisms that animals have, just like humans. When you put the animal in a car or a plane, this is when these survival mechanisms aren’t ideal. When faced in these situations, there is a fight or flight response. So what happens? 

According to Dr. Neely, four things occur:

• The sympathetic nervous system dominates.
• Rapid breathing or panting may occur. 
• Dilated pupils may be obvious.
• There will be a heightened startle response to sounds or motion.

Although this happens to both dogs and cats, cats are especially susceptible to this response because of how territorial and how dependent on routines they are.

Pre-Travel Veterinary Evaluation

It is important for you to send your pet to the veterinarian in order for them to get an evaluation to determine if they are cleared for travel. Your pet should be healthy so they are safe to travel long distances. This is crucial when you are crossing or, more importantly, flying to another destination.

Your pet should get the examination 7-10 days before travel because it will allow time for:

• Health certificate
• Vaccine updates
• Treatment of minor issues
• Compliance with airline, state, or destination validity windows

The time of the exam can vary from airline to airline, so if you’re traveling by air, you should check in advance with your airline. 

The health certificate proves that your pet was examined by a licensed veterinarian, shows no signs of contagious disease, and is up-to-date on vaccination and legal travel requirements. Furthermore, a CVI (health certificate) is most likely required for any type of travel — interstate and international. Airlines will require them, too, as well as boarding facilities. Important note: if you are missing any type of health requirement, your pet may be denied travel or may have to quarantine.

Vaccine Considerations and Requirements

Vaccines are very important and you should make sure your pet has all those that are essential. Vaccine requirements vary by species and by your destination and travel method, so it’s important to look up each state or country’s individual requirements.

Vaccinations for dogs

The list of required vaccinations for dogs:

• Canine parvovirus
• Distemper
• Canine hepatitis
• Rabies

Vaccinations for cats

The list of required vaccinations for cats:

• panleukopenia (feline distemper)
• Feline calicivirus
• Feline herpesvirus type I (rhinotracheitis)
• Rabies

All 50 states require the rabies vaccination for dogs, although when it comes to cats, state law does vary. And remember, vaccinations should not only be up-to-date, but also meet legal timing requirements.

Behavior & Conditioning Before Transport

It’s important that you crate-train your pet before transport. This will help abundantly when the big day comes. There won’t be struggles or any other issues.

Crate-training for smoother travel

To prepare your dog, you have to crate train them to be comfortable inside the carrier for long periods of time. If it’s air travel and you are going somewhere far away, they have to be in the carrier for several hours. Dr. Neely recommends that successful crate training should look like this: 

• Introduce your pet to the crate weeks in advance, not days.
• At first, use the crate only for short, positive sessions and include treats, meals, or calm praise.
• Gradually increase the amount of time your pet spends inside the crate with the door closed.
• Never use the crate as punishment.
• Make sure the crate is the right size, well-ventilated, and secure.

Desensitization tips (vehicle sounds, confinement)

Dr. Neely also recommends desensitization tips, for example:

• Expose pets gradually to motion, engine, vibration, and vehicle sounds.
• As silly as it may sound, you should start by just sitting in a parked car and then take short drives, followed by longer trips.
• Practice short periods of confinement while staying near your pet.
• Use treats and be calm and reassuring.

Red flags for separation anxiety or travel phobia

Lastly, it’s important and essential that you are aware of the signs of separation anxiety or travel phobia. Signs a pet may struggle with travel include:

• Trembling, pacing, drooling, and excessive panting.
• Destructive behavior, escape, attempts, and vocalization.
• Freezing, shutting down, or panicking when separated from the pet parent.

If your pet shows these signs, it is very likely that they require behavioral modification, medication, or a reassessment of travel before transport.

Nutrition & Hydration Guidelines

Your pet should be on a feeding schedule before traveling. Why? So that your pet isn’t just emotionally and physically upset. It reduces nausea, dehydration, and GI (gastrointestinal) upset. Dr. Neely, who has practiced veterinary medicine for over 30 years, suggests various things to do before and during travel:

• The meal should be light and should be fed 6 to 8 hours before departure.
• Avoid large or rich meals.
• Feeding your pet is essential unless there are specific reasons not to.
• Provide your pet with free access to water until it’s time to depart.
• Offer small amounts of water during breaks or layovers.
• For longer transport, you can use ice cubes and spill-resistant bowls.

Medications, Supplements, and Calming Aids

Sometimes it’s recommended that you use calming aids or some sort of medication for your pet to be less stressed or decrease their anxiety. Of course, as Dr. Neely suggests, it’s best to consult with your veterinarian before doing so because some products can increase your pet’s risks. 

She recommends:

• Prescription anti-anxiety or anti-nausea medications.
• Modification of behavior or medications, which need to be started as early as two weeks in advance.
• Clinically supported supplements, for example, specific calming nutraceuticals with veterinary oversight.

The medication choice will also be based on the pet’s health status, age, breed, and travel method.

Which common products should be avoided

Dr. Neely recommends that pet parents avoid using:

• Human sedatives or sleep aids
• Essential oils or aromatherapy products
• CBD products without vet guidance or quality control
• Products with unclear dosing, ingredients, sourcing, or safety data

You should also watch for safe and unsafe calming products. Medications or supplements that are vet-approved are safe, as well as products that have precise dosing, safety, data, and species-specific labeling. Unsafe options include unregulated calming treats, multi-ingredient products with sedatives or essential oils, and products that you’re using without prior vet approval.

Travel Day Checklist (vet-led safety guidance)

It’s important to have a travel day checklist. This checklist will serve as a health status for your pet. It will prevent unnecessary stress prior to travel so your pet can be safe and healthy. Dr. Neely, who has two cats of her own, stated that you should do a physical condition check first.

Make sure your pet has:

• Normal breathing.
• Typical energy level
• Normal appetite or interest in food
• No vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, or sudden lameness

If, for some reason, one of these things doesn’t seem right, you should contact your vet right away and, if possible, delay traveling.

What owners should pack (meds, feeding schedule, medical notes)

Traveling is hectic, and it’s always important to make sure you have everything. Forgetting an item can be disastrous, especially if you’re in another country. A checklist is important and essential because it’s truly easy to forget things.

Dr. Neely suggested adding these items to the checklist:

• All prescription medications
• Written medication instructions and a feeding schedule
• Copies of health certificates and vaccination records
• Emergency veterinary contact information
• Familiar food and approved treats only
• A familiar blanket or bedding that has the pet parent’s scent on it.
• A favorite toy or two.
• A spill-proof container.

Taking a copy of your pet’s medical records in case of emergency is also a smart move.

Leashes

Leashes are an essential part of traveling. The right leash setup is a safety priority because pets can bolt or slip away if they are in unfamiliar places. A properly fitted no-pull harness or martingale collar can help prevent escape while keeping your pet secure and comfortable, and many owners also pack a slip lead as a useful backup. It’s also smart to bring a sturdy fixed-length leash (about 4–6 feet) for dependable control in busy travel settings, and even a spare leash in case something breaks or gets misplaced.

Special Considerations for High-Risk Pets

All pets may experience anxiety when traveling, but there are certain types of pets that you have to consider additional planning. This could be due to their increased medical risk or because they are puppies or kittens or just the type of pet. 

Brachycephalic dogs and cats

Brachycephalic dogs and cats have a difficult time breathing, which means they have a higher risk of airway obstruction, overheating, and oxygen deprivation. This is why they require more alertness when it comes to respiratory assessments and strict temperature control. When traveling, they will have a tough time if they are in the cargo hold, potentially suffering a high health risk or even death. This is why airlines ban them from going in the cargo hold.

You should always travel in drier conditions and avoid warm or humid weather. All in all, it’s important to be alert during air travel, even when they are in the cabin with you.

Watch Out For These Other Pets

• Pets with chronic illness
• Post-surgery pets
• Puppies and kittens under 12 weeks old
• Senior pets

An essential note is that if your pet looks sick or is acting in a way not normal, you should consider delaying or canceling transport.

When a transporter should refuse pickup

Dr. Neely also had a message to transporters about a pet’s condition. “If you are the transporter, you absolutely should decline traveling with the [following] pets:

• The pet appears medically unstable or in distress.
• Vaccination records or health certificates are missing or invalid.
•  You are unable to confine the pet in an appropriate crate safely.
• Heat, humidity, extreme cold, or any other environmental conditions pose a risk.
• The pet shows signs of a contagious disease.

It’s essential that you delay travel plans until your veterinarian has cleared your pet for travel. Your priority should always be your pet’s health and well-being.

Bottom Line

The bottom line is that pet transport is safe. More often than not, pets will travel safely from destination to destination. This is especially true when you have prepared everything, received veterinary guidance, and timed it correctly. The warnings and tips above serve as just that: warnings and tips. 

All in all, pet parents know that the health and well-being of their pet is a priority. Risking travel when your pet isn’t in the best condition is not smart. But with veterinary guidance and approval and thoughtful preparation throughout the process, you and your pet can take the stress-free and safe trip of a lifetime.

For platform-specific safety requirements and transporter standards, see our Trust and Safety Hub.

About Dr. Neely

Dr. Shelby Neely, VMD, MA, is a freelance writer and veterinarian who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and has practiced veterinary medicine for 30 years. She has found homes for hundreds of stray pets and has two cats, as well as four grand-dogs and two grand-cats. In her spare time, Dr. Neely likes to be with her three children, their dogs and cats, and her own two cats. She also likes to see as many Broadway shows as possible.