Traveling with your pet for the holidays? Here’s how to keep your dog or cat happy, safe

Are you taking the furrier members of your family along when you travel this holiday season?

Depending on where you're going and how you're getting there, it can be a little trickier than just throwing some kibble in a bag.

Your primary concern should be what's safest and most comfortable for your pet, according to the Humane Society of America. Does your pet travel well? Will you be able to spend time with them at your destination? Talk to your veterinarian about your pet's health and the potential risks. Your dog might be happier and healthier with a petsitter or in a boarding kennel for the duration, the organization said, and cats are almost always better off in their own home.

If you and your pet are ready to pack up and head out, here are some tips to keep in mind.

Get your pet's vaccinations and records up to date

In the U.S., different states may have different health requirements for any animals crossing the borders, and restrictions for international travel are even more stringent. Recent health certificates, updated vaccines, and diagnostic testing may be required. If you bring a pet into Florida, for example, you must have proof of current rabies vaccination from a licensed veterinarian if the pet is 3 months old or older, and a health certificate from your vet if the pet is not traveling with its owner. (Hey, visitors? A study found that Florida was the most dog-friendly state.)

You can see the latest requirements for each state at the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) here, or check here for bringing pets into and out of the country. If you're flying internationally or to Hawaii, your pet may need to be quarantined on arrival.

You also should be mindful of dangers at your destination, according to Nicole Savageau, a veterinarian with in-home service The Vets. "Keep your pet up-to-date on core vaccinations and consider others like Leptospirosis, Lyme, CIV, and Rattlesnake Venom depending on your location," she said, and "protect your pet from internal and external parasites by maintaining their regular preventative care, such as flea, tick, and heartworm meds."

Have a health care plan in mind for your pet before you go

"Locate the nearest emergency animal hospital and keep their number handy," Savageau said. You should also keep a copy of your pet's records with you such as vaccination records and medical history.

If your pet is prone to anxiety or nausea during trips, talk to your vet about any appropriate calming or anti-nausea medications.

Make sure you can find your pet again

Your pet should be microchipped (make sure it's up to date with your current contact info) and should have a collar, ID tag and leash. You might consider a GPS tracking device or Apple Airtag, especially if your pet bolts easily or you plan to take your dog on hikes. Make sure you have a recent picture of your pet with you in case it goes missing.

Driving is a better option when traveling with pets

Whenever possible, driving is the best way to bring your pet along, the Humane Society says. You can keep an eye on them and their condition, stop whenever needed and more easily talk to and comfort them. Acclimate them slowly to car travel before you head off on a cross-country trip, and follow these tips:

• Don't let pets roam in the car: Dogs are safer in a crate that's been anchored to the vehicle with a seat belt or other means, the Humane Society said. Dog restraints and seat belts alone have not been reliably shown to protect dogs in a crash. Cats should be in secured carriers.

• Keep the pet in the back seat: It's less distracting for the driver, and a deployed air bag could hurt your pet even if they're in a crate or carrier.

• Keep your pets safely in the car: It looks cute when dogs let their tongues wag out the window, but you run the risk of them getting hit with debris or getting sick from the cold air being forced into their lungs. Never transport a pet in the back of an open pickup truck, the Humane Society says.

• Get plenty of rest stops: Stop frequently for exercise, bathroom breaks and some human contact.

• Never leave your pet alone in a car: Every Floridian should know how fast a car heats up, even on cool days. "When it's 72 degrees Fahrenheit outside," the Humane Society said, "the temperature inside your car can heat up to 116 degrees within an hour." Even getting held up for a short time could mean irreversible organ damage or death, and leaving your pet alone opens the possibility of someone stealing it.

Air travel: Be careful before you head into the wild blue yonder

Driving isn't always possible, but air travel can be risky, especially for animals with "pushed in" or brachycephalic faces such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats whose short nasal passages leave them more vulnerable to oxygen deprivation and heat stroke. If an airplane trip is your best or only option, book your flight as early as possible and follow these tips:

• Talk to your vet: Don't give your pet tranquilizers unless prescribed. Make sure the veterinarian knows you're traveling by air.

• Bring your pet in the cabin if possible: Most airlines allow a cat or small dog to come with you in the cabin for a fee, but make sure your dog meets the size requirements and notify the airline well in advance.

• Check the airline's pet requirements: The airline may have its own pet health and immunization requirements before allowing a pet onboard and might have specific carriers it wants you to use.

• Be ready for security: Your pet's carrier will be X-rayed so be prepared to safely contain and control them through security. Some airlines may allow you to request a special screening that allows the pet to stay inside the carrier, check well in advance.

• Do not feed your pet for four to six hours before the trip: You can give them small amounts of water or ice cubes.

• Have your pet ready for cargo hold travel, if necessary:

  • Use direct flights to avoid mistakes during transfers

  • Notify the captain and a flight attendant your pet is in the cargo hold

  • Avoid early morning or late evening flights that might encounter extreme temperatures

  • Put both a permanent ID with contact info and a temporary travel ID where you can be reached on the pet's collar

  • Put a travel label on the carrier with contact info

  • Open the carrier as soon as you arrive and examine your pet for anything wrong

  • Do not travel with brachycephalic pets (think pugs, bulldogs and boxers, and many others) in cargo holds

Note that service dogs are permitted to fly in the cabinet at no charge, but check with your airline for its requirements.

Fatal dog illness spreading: As mystery respiratory illness spreads in dogs, is it safe to board your pet this holiday season?

Hitting the rails: Traveling by train with your pet

Dogs and cats up to 20 pounds (including the carrier) are permitted on trips up to seven hours on most routes in Coach or Acela Business Class, according to Amtrak, for an additional fee. Carriers must be leak-proof, well-ventilated, and no more than 19" long x 14" wide x 10.5" high. Carriers count as one piece of carry-on baggage.

"Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old," Amtrak's guidelines say, "and be odorless, harmless, not disruptive and require no attention during travel." Pets should be up to date on all vaccinations.

Service dogs of any size are permitted but must be under control and must be on a leash, harness or tether at all times, unless it's not possible due to a disability or if it would interfere with the service animal's duties or tasks.

Can you take your pet on a cruise?

Probably not. While service dogs are permitted, pets are not allowed on most cruiselines such as Royal Caribbean International.

If you have a licensed service animal that is not a dog, inform the cruise line at least 60 days before the trip.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Holiday travel: How to bring your pets safely in cars, planes, trains