Pet-Friendly Travel: 8 Easy Tips for Fun Trips with Your Pet in 2025

Traveling with your pet can be a blast. Picture your dog running on a beach or your cat napping by a sunny window. But taking pets on trips needs a thorough and careful planning. You have to find places that welcome pets, keep them safe and make sure they are happy. These tips, tested on our own adventures, will help you and your pet have a great time in 2025.

I have traveled with my Beagle, Max, who is 8 years old, and my tabby cat, Luna, who is 6, for over six years. We have had wild moments, like when Max sniffed every corner of a cabin in Asheville before going inside or when Luna hid under a hotel bed in San Diego! The ASPCA says planning keeps pets calm and our real trips shape these tips. Now look for all the details.

8 Tips for Pet-Friendly Travel

1. Plan Your Trip Carefully

Finding pet-friendly places  should always be the first step. Look for hotels, restaurants or parks that love pets. Apps like BringFido or Airbnb’s pet filter make it easy. In Asheville, NC, BringFido found us a cabin with a fenced yard. Max, our Beagle, ran around safely after sniffing everything. For small dogs, check for size limits as some places only allow pets under 20 pounds.

If you are flying, check airline rules and regulations deeply and early. They need special pet carriers and papers. The AKC says some dogs, like Belgian dogs, have extra rules because of their size or breathing issues. We learned this the hard way when Luna’s carrier was too big for a plane, and we got stuck at the airport. Now we measure carriers twice. Check Trip Advisor reviews to make sure places are truly pet-friendly, and look up local laws to avoid fines, like leash rules in city parks.

2. Keep Your Pet Healthy

Take your pet to the vet before any trip. It is really important to check their shots, flea medicine and travel papers. The CDC says you need health papers for trips to other countries, especially for rabies. We forgot Luna’s flea medicine for a beach trip once and she scratched the whole time which was a bad experience for us. That was no fun at all.

Some breeds, like blue-tongued dogs, get hot fast, so ask your vet about cooling mats or extra water. Max needed a cooling mat for summer drives. The AVMA says to bring a pet first aid kit. It helped when Max cut his paw on a sharp rock during a hike in Colorado. Look up vet clinics near your destination on AVMA’s website. For cats like Luna, who get nervous, ask about calming treats. The ASPCA says 1 in 5 pets feels scared on trips, so health checks make a big difference.

Safety Tip: Ask your vet before giving your pet any travel medicine, says the ASPCA.

3. Pack Smart for Your Pet

Bring everything your pet needs, like food, water, collapsible bowls, poop bags, treats, toys, medicine and a blanket. We tried collapsible bowls with Max on a road trip to Oregon. They were easy to clean, even when he spilled his food everywhere. Forgetting Luna’s favorite toy once made her grumpy, so we always pack it now. The ASPCA says familiar things help pets feel safe in new places.

For big dogs like Belgian dogs, pack cooling mats for hot days. Cats need cozy carriers with soft bedding. We learned to pack extra food after a delay left us stuck in a hotel with no pet store nearby. It was so bad. For multi-pet trips, bring separate bowls to avoid fights as Max and Luna do not share well. Check our dog toy guide for fun toys to keep pets busy on long drives.

4. Use Safe Travel Gear

Pets are needed to be safe in cars. We used a crash-tested harness for Max on a four hour drive to Yosemite. He was comfy and slept the whole way. The Center for Pet Safety says crash-tested gear stops pets from getting hurt in accidents. We learned this once, when Luna’s cheap carrier broke on a trip, spilling her toys everywhere. Now we only buy and use strong ones.

For hot breeds, like bulldogs, pick carriers with lots of air holes. Practice using the gear at home so pets are not scared. For small dogs, harnesses work better than crates, but big dogs like Max need heavy-duty ones. We trained Max for a week before a trip, and it made car rides so easy. Check our GPS dog fences guide for other safety ideas, like trackers for hikes.

Safety Tip: Never leave pets alone in parked cars, says the ASPCA. It gets too hot!

5. Keep Your Pet Comfy

Always stick to your pet’s routine to keep them happy. We used a pheromone spray in Luna’s carrier on a flight to Florida, and she slept through bumps in the air. Blankets and toys help, too. Max got nervous without his blanket once, so we always bring it now. The AKC says soft music calms pets, and it worked for us on long drives.

For nervous pets, like some cats, feed and walk them at their usual times. Luna gets scared in new places, so we did not forget to bring her favorite scratching post on a hotel stay. For older dogs like Max, who’s 8, add soft bedding for achy joints. The ASPCA says 20% of pets feel stressed on trips, so keeping things familiar helps. Our pet anxiety guide has more ideas for calming nervous pets.

6. Take Breaks on Road Trips

Stop every 2 to 3 hours on road trips so your pet can stretch, drink and go potty. We used BringFido to find dog parks for Max, keeping him full of energy. One time, we did not stop and he got so wiggly we had to pull over fast. The ASPCA says to keep pets on a leash at stops so they do not run off. For cats, bring a portable litter box as Luna needed one on a long drive to Nevada. Plan stops near grassy areas for small pets or big fields for active dogs like Max.

7. Use ID Tags for Safety

Never forget to put ID tags on your pet’s collar with your phone number and trip address. A microchip and GPS tracker like Tractive are awesome, too. Once  Max ran after a squirrel on a trail in Colorado, but his GPS tracker helped us find him in minutes. The AVMA says microchips help 52% of lost dogs get back home. Register microchips with PetLink to make it work. For cats, use breakaway collars for safety. Our emergency guide has more tips for keeping pets safe.

8. Pick Pet-Friendly Places

Choose places with pet-friendly spots, like Asheville, NC or San Diego, CA. Luna loved napping on a sunny patio at an Airbnb in Asheville. Check all local rules to avoid fines, like leash laws or poop cleanup. AllTrails has great pet-friendly trails as Max hiked one in San Diego and had a blast For city trips, look for dog parks or cafes that allow pets. Our pet-friendly hotels guide lists awesome places to stay. For senior pets always pick spots with flat paths, as Max’s 8-year-old legs tire easily.

Unique Pet Travel Challenges

Some trips have special problems. Here is how we handled them with Max and Luna:

• Senior Pets: Max, at 8 years of age, gets tired fast. We pick short trails and bring a foldable bed for rest stops. The AVMA says older pets need extra care, like joint supplements, so always take advises with your vet.
• Multi-Pet Trips: Traveling with Max and Luna together was tricky. Luna hid under hotel furniture once, and Max barked at her. Since than we now pack separate spaces, like a cat carrier and dog crate, to keep peace.
• Hot Weather: A beach trip in California was too hot for Max. We learned to bring a portable fan and extra water. For cats, shaded carriers are a must.

One reader, Sarah from Texas, shared: “My senior Lab got sick on a trip because I did not pack his medicine. Your tips about vet checks saved our next vacation!” These challenges show why planning is key.

Pet Travel Planning Checklist

To make trips easy, follow this checklist based on our travels:

1. Find Pet-Friendly Spots: Use BringFido or Airbnb to book hotels and activities. Call and discuss everything ahead to confirm pet rules.
2. Visit the Vet: Get shots, flea medicine, and health papers. Pack a first aid kit.
3. Pack Smart: Bring all the needed things like food, water, bowls, toys, and blankets. Add breed-specific items like cooling mats.
4. Use Safe Gear: Get crash-tested harnesses or carriers. Practice at home few times first.
5. Plan Breaks: Stop every 2 to 3 hours for potty and play. Find dog parks on BringFido.
6. Add ID: Use tags, microchips, and GPS trackers. Register with PetLink.

Download our free pet travel checklist to stay ready!

Pet Travel Mistakes to Avoid

We made mistakes with Max and Luna that taught us a lot:

• Not Practicing: Luna freaked out in her carrier at the airport because we did not practice initially before leaving. Now we train at home for a week.
• Ignoring Rules: We got a fine in a small town for not knowing leash laws. Check rules on city websites or BringFido.
• Forgetting Stuff: We forgot Max’s cooling mat on a hot trip, and he was miserable. Always pack what your pet needs.

Another reader, Mike from Florida, said: “I did not check hotel pet fees and got a big bill. Your checklist helped me plan better!”

Questions About Pet-Friendly Travel

Can I take my pet on a plane?

Answer: Yes, these days  most airlines let pets fly in the cabin or cargo. Check carrier sizes early. Luna’s airport panic taught us to practice with carriers at home.

How do I keep my pet calm?

Answer: Stick to their routine and bring favorite things like blankets. Max stayed happy with his blanket on car trips.

What if my pet gets lost?

Answer: Use ID tags, microchips, and GPS trackers. Max’s tracker found him when he ran off. Check shelters and use PawBoost.

How do I find pet-friendly hotels?

Answer: Use our pet-friendly hotels guide or BringFido for great spots.

Disclaimer: This article may have affiliate links. If you buy something, we might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.