Miku travels a lot. She’s quite the jet-setter and road-trip aficionado, and traveling with her has become a seamless routine. Traveling with your dog can initially be daunting — especially on an airplane — but it doesn’t have to be. Having your best furry friend by your side on vacation can be the most enjoyable experience, if you plan properly. Miku and I teamed up with The Noseprint, a pet-centric site full of helpful articles and pet-friendly resources (divided into Activities, Wellbeing, Community, and Happy Spots) to bring you some tips for traveling with a dog:

• Research your airline’s pet policy before booking your flight. Most airlines have different policies, restrictions, and fees. I only fly with Miku under the seat in front of me and not in the cargo hold, and prefer certain airlines over others. JetBlue is my personal favorite. They only allow a certain amount of pets per flight (and don’t allow them in cargo), so check to make sure there is availability before booking.
• Make sure your carrier complies with the size restrictions. What one airline accepts may be a little too big for the next, so always double check. Your dog should be able to stand, turn around, and lay down comfortably, all while fitting beneath the seat. We have a Sherpa soft sided carrier, which we really only use for flying. For road trips and vet visits, we prefer the larger and comfier backpack with a wheeling option…but it’s too big for the plane!

• Make their carrier a safe place. Miku sees her carrier and immediately dives in, because she knows it means she’s going on an adventure. If I leave it out, she’ll even take a nap in it. If your carrier is strictly reserved for vet visits, there might have a negative association with it. Warm them up to the carrier by taking them on mini-excursions in their carrier: to the pet store, the park, a friend’s house, etc. And when you’re ready to go, make it comfy for them. Miku likes to travel with her bunny, which is flat and doesn’t take up too much room or make it too warm. It makes her feel safe and happy, so we rarely leave home without it (and we’re on bunny #4, I believe).

• Schedule a vet visit before planning your travel. You’ll want to make sure your dog is in good health and able to fly, and depending on your destination (and if you’ll be boarding or doing doggy daycare franchise), they may need additional paperwork and vaccination records for their voyage. Some dogs will benefit from a very mild sedative if they’ve never flown before or are anxious travelers, which is something that should be discussed with your vet.

• Bring treats and water. While we like to feed Miku well before a flight, so she has time to digest, we always bring a few treats and a popup water bowl. It’s compact and connects to her bag, so it’s perfect for traveling, and it’s important to keep your pup hydrated!
• Find out where the pet relief area is, and utilize it. One of the reasons I love JetBlue is that they are truly pet friendly. They have a dog park right in their JFK terminal, which comes in handy when we are early for our flight. It gives Miku time to stretch her legs and use the restroom (errr…grass?) before settling in for the flight. Make sure to make pit stops on road trips. Your dog needs bathroom breaks, too!

• Consider a pet friendly airbnb. Even pet friendly hotels have some restrictions. Most require you to sign a waiver saying that you won’t leave your dog unattended in the room, which means you’ll have to bring your pup everywhere. That’s usually not a problem for us, but it’s nice to have the option. Whenever possible, we try to book dog friendly airbnbs, which are often even more affordable than a hotel and give us a chance to spread out and stay in some really unique places! Here’s what we look for: an entire home (as opposed to a room), preferably with a fenced in yard, and several reliable reviews. Read over their house rules, make sure they have the amenities you’re looking for (wifi, a/c, etc.), and contact the host to give them details about your stay and your pet to make sure you’re both on the same page. Bonus: the hosts usually have the best local recommendations for food and activities. Many leave a guidebook with their suggestions!

• Choose your pet-friendly hotel wisely. As I mentioned before, most hotels have varying restrictions and fees associated with your pet’s stay. Some are very accommodating, and others believe that dogs should not be seen nor heard, so always check before booking. Here are some hotels we love: The Soho Grand and The Roxy in NYC have their own dog park, and will provide you with a dog bed, food and water bowls, doggy bags, and treats upon request. You could also check out dog friendly places in other parts of the world, I’m sure there are loads. You could go as far as North Stradbroke Island in Australia and I’m sure you’d find a dog friendly place. Where ever you go in the world you’ll find a place that’ll take you and your dog you just have to look (and to be honest it’s so easy nowadays to just google something!). The Hutton Hotel in Nashville has a dedicated “Critter Concierge”  with grooming, dog-walking, and pet spa recommendations, an in-room dining menu for dogs, treats upon arrival, and bedding and food/water bowls. The Gates at Key West had a doggy bed, treats, and toys waiting for Miku, something they do for all of their furry guests. Talk about service!

• Plan your meals. Many restaurants with outdoor seating allow dogs, but we always call ahead to make sure. Two of the most pet-friendly destinations I can think of (that I’ve been to) are Los Angeles and Key West. Especially with all of the al fresco dining, the options are endless! The Noseprint also highlighted their top 8 dog-friendly destinations, so check that out for more tips for traveling with your dog.
• Research your destination’s pet friendly activities. Dog beaches are Miku’s (and our) favorite —she loves swimming, rolling in the sand, and relaxing under a big umbrella. Stand-up paddle boarding, kayaking, boating (a lot of water sports, basically) are some of our go-tos, and generally exploring the great outdoors. If it’s snowy, we pack her little snow boots and sweaters and let her burrow and run wild in the snow. If it’s warm and we’re near a beach, we find dog-friendly water activities. Research your destination, think like a dog, and make plans accordingly. 

• Find a local and 24 hour vet for any emergencies. Hopefully, you won’t need to ever use them, but it’s good to have on hand.
• Especially if you’re staying in a wooded area, check for ticks. I use a blow dryer to scan for any bugs on Miku, so we won’t bring anything home that can harm her or our cats. Bugs are not fun souvenirs, so make sure to do a thorough check!

Have any helpful tips for traveling with your dog? Please share! And make sure to check out The Noseprint for more helpful articles and pet-friendly places near you.