Fall is easily the most packed holiday season in the United States – the weather is reliably cooler and the kids are back in school, Labor day, Halloween, Columbus day, Veterans day, Thanksgiving, and sometimes even Hanukkah, all start in Fall. Meaning there is a lot of planning of family trips, get togethers, and shopping.

Fall is also an excellent time to take a weekend getaway that includes the family pet, since cooler weather means you and your four-legged friends get to spend time outdoors and not feel overheated.

Fall Pet Travel Tips

Fall is a busy season anyway, so when you plan to travel with a pet you need to make doubly sure you’ve done your homework – arriving in a town where there’s no vacancy at the pet-friendly hotel and all the other rooms are booked for the night is no way to have a relaxing vacation. Here are some tips to help make your fall travels fun and memorable for you and your pet.

Identification

Make sure the tags on your pet’s collar are up to date and fastened securely to the collar.

 

 

Research and Obey Local Laws

Be aware of local leash laws when you travel – you can’t assume every town loves your dog as much as you do. Find out where the pet friendly places are in the towns you’re visiting so you know where you can go without leaving your furry friends behind.

Keep your pet warm

If your pet has short hair, time to pull out the doggie sweaters. If your pet has had a summer cut, let it grow in a bit. Make sure there are no drafts where the pet bed is and dry your dog and cat well after they have had a romp in the rain or after a bath to prevent chills.

Never Leave Your Pet in the Car

No matter how cool it is outside, it’s never safe to leave your pet in the car. On sunny days, the car can heat up quickly and on colder days, the car can become an ice box.

Watch for snakes!

Snakes are starting to look for places to hibernate for winter and they can become pretty hostile if disturbed. If you go on a hike with your furry buddy, be careful about letting him/her dig around and run through bushes. Keep your pets away from areas where you know snakes like to hang out.

Watch out for mushrooms

While many types of mushrooms are not harmful to pets, the ones that are can be highly toxic. Don’t let your pet wander away too far where s/he may find some and eat them. Keep them away from areas where mushrooms are growing.

Medication

Make sure you have enough of it for the duration of your time away from home. Pick up refills for your pet before you head out.

Kennels and Carriers

Some places require that your pet be in a carrier or crate when left alone. A kennel is also a safe way to travel for your pet. Airlines have size restrictions for kennels that can travel in cabin. Check about restrictions and pet air travel policies of the airline before booking.

Car coolants

Fall is the time when many of us start winterizing our cars. Clean up spills immediately to prevent your pet from accidentally ingesting coolants.

Keep Bugs Away

Fleas, ticks, and even heartworm can be of an issue for your pets in the summer. In the fall, these parasites may be looking for a warm, dry place to stay during the winter months so take precautions against them before you leave home.

Find the Local Emergency Vet

Know before you go where the emergency vet is in the area you are staying in case your pet becomes injured. It saves a lot of stress and time in the event that your pet needs immediate medical attention.

Find Pet-Friendly Accommodation and Activities

Before you leave home, you can find out about a variety of pet-friendly events going on in and around the places you’ll be visiting on your trip, and you can also make sure you’re booking stays at hotels, campgrounds, and vacation rentals that allow pets .