Tatsuro KiuchiWITH the summer travel season upon us, many pet owners are facing the question of what to do with the pets when the family goes on vacation. Some choose to take Fido and Fluffy along; others prefer to leave them behind with friends or send them on their own vacations by boarding them at a kennel for pampered pets.
Last month the Practical Traveler column offered tips on traveling with dogs from Cesar Millan, a dog behaviorist better known as National Geographic Channel’s Dog Whisperer. Dozens of readers wrote in and posted their own tips and suggestions at nytimes.com/travel. Some cat owners complained that the column left them out and had hints to pass on to other feline fans. Others had questions about flying pets overseas or as checked baggage. A few took issue with Mr. Millan’s thoughts on sedation. And several shared their experiences about airlines and hotels that were particularly accommodating to their four-legged companions. Here is a sampling of what some had to say, along with a few more tips based on my research and reporting. (Letters have been edited.)
Ron Dylewski from Pittsburgh, Pa., who frequents cat shows and has taken his 20-pound Maine coon cat on the road for more than 40 weekends in the last year, offered these tips:
• Get a soft carrier that has removable wheels. It’s much easier to roll that much weight around than to have it on your shoulder for miles.
• Keep a very close watch on what sort of plane you’ll be on. Many of the regional jets have limited space under the seat, and even if you book a pet ticket online, the lack of space may not be flagged for you. Also, you can be in trouble if the airlines substitute another type of plane at the last minute.
• We generally try to get window or center seats, where the under-the-seat space is better than the aisle seat.
Although Cesar Millan condoned sedating dogs traveling in the airplane cabin — as long as the owner was careful to test the medication and monitor the pet’s reaction to it before traveling — some readers were adamantly opposed.
Kevin O’Brien of PetRelocation.com, which specializes in pet transport, said: “Sedation is by far the worst possible thing you can do to your pet before their long flight. Sedation, mixed with altitude, creates a dangerous cocktail that prevents the animals from using their natural ability to regulate their body temperature and to control their own stress. We suggest that the human take the pill, as the pet will have a better experience than most humans when flying with commercial airlines.”
Alexandra Kovach from Washington, who has a small dog named Ripple that was sedated for a cross-country trip, wrote: “It was really hard on her and her heartbeat slowed and she got so lethargic — it was frightening! She slowly recovered after the flight after getting sick a few times, too.” Ms. Kovach recommended using Calming Essence, an herbal remedy, instead.
Martin Delfin, who said he moved to Madrid from Puerto Rico two years ago with Toby, his “five-kilo mixed terrier,” said the dog “did fine on the eight-hour flight,” having taken half of a Pet Sedate tablet. The only side effect: “He did seem to suffer a day of jet lag (just lay around and slept, like most humans).”
Cesar Millan won’t fly his large dogs, since they must travel as checked baggage or in the cargo hold of the plane. Rather, he prefers to have them travel in a recreational vehicle. But readers who must resort to air travel for their pets wanted some guidelines for large animals on flights.
To help avoid delays and reduce the stress on your pet, book a nonstop flight whenever possible. During the summer, try to book an early morning, evening or overnight flight, when the temperatures are cooler. Airlines typically will not accept pets as checked baggage or cargo when the temperature is forecast to exceed 85 degrees at any location on the animal’s itinerary. And some airlines will not accept snub-nosed dogs, like Boston terriers, bulldogs or pugs, during the summer as they tend to be particularly sensitive to heat.
FIND out if the country you are visiting has any quarantine or other health requirements by contacting its embassy or a consulate. Pets must be at least eight weeks old and fully weaned before flying within the United States, for example. Dogs must have a certificate showing they have been vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before entering the United States.
Americans flying to Britain are eligible for the Pet Travel Scheme, or PETS, which allows dogs and cats from certain countries to enter Britain without the normal quarantine, as long as they are fitted with microchip tracking devices and have been vaccinated against and tested for rabies. Information about this program is at www.defra.gov.uk.
For those traveling from Britain, Vanessa K. Will, who relocated from Scotland to Michigan last year with her two border terriers, Ede and Atze, had a suggestion: “The best tip I have is to find a reputable pet relocation specialist in the United Kingdom to handle the booking, etc. It doesn’t cost much more, and they often know the ins and outs in a way that’s very helpful. The people at James Cargo at Heathrow are very helpful (they also run the animal reception center at the airport). ... I did consider taking the Queen Mary 2 from Southampton to New York. They allow dogs in a special kennel area where you can visit them, and they get walked several times a day. Humans are allowed unlimited baggage, and between the cargo and excess luggage charges you’re saving, a small inside cabin comes out to about the same.”
Another reader, Jack McBride, had advice on pet-friendly hotels: “Although some hotels charge extra for pets, it’s worth it, and generally less expensive than putting them in a kennel. The AAA has an excellent guidebook (“Traveling With Your Pet”) that lists pet-friendly accommodations in all states.”
Dale, from Orlando, prefers La Quinta Inns for his two long-haired miniature dachshunds: “The accommodations are minimal, but it beats sneaking the dogs into the room under blankets at the Marriott.”
