Travel Accessories for Pets

Summer is upon us in the northern hemisphere and many people will be heading off on vacations. Is your pet embarking on a trip with you? According to Animal Planet, 29 million Americans traveled with pets in 2007. These days, there is no shortage of equipment and accessories to help your pet travel in style.

Road Trip

The days of letting Fido hop into the back seat are long gone. Doctors Foster and Smith offer a wide range of vehicle accessories including:

• Seat covers
• Crates
• Backseat barriers
• Collapsible water bowls
• Seatbelts
• Booster seats

Air Travel

There are lots of airline restrictions on pets that fly, so it's important to know what they are before booking your furry friend's ticket. Age, size, and health are major factors. There are regulations for carriers for larger pets traveling as cargo and for smaller pets who fit under the seat in front of you.

Camping

Will you be sleeping under the stars in the great outdoors? In addition to the tent, cooler, and sleeping bag you'll be packing for yourself, there are plenty of things for your dog. Before camping, determine whether your pet will be cut out for life in the wild. Ensuring that your pet has ID, gear for various situations, and an emergency kit are good places to start.

Coleman offers tents and sleeping bags for dogs. The description did not explain whether these tents are paw-friendly, so plan on pitching your pup's tent (pup tent - get it?) Dogs that enjoy boating can choose from a variety of life vests, like this one at L.L. Bean. There's also an orange safety vest for hunting breeds! Don't forget the biodegradable poop bags when nature calls!

Camping hasn't gone to the dogs. Many campgrounds welcome horses and have access to hundreds of miles of trails for riding. While riders will need all of their regular equipment, they'll also have to think about how to secure horses at night, how to carry provisions, and how to handle emergencies on the trail.

Resources:

Animal Planet: Top 10 Pet-friendly Vacation Spots

Horse and Travel

PetTravelCenter.com: Flying with Pets

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