Paws and Listen: Tips for Travelling with Pets

Dreaming of a beautiful, busy, beach-side break? Or, maybe you’re keen on a relaxing road trip that ends with you kicking back around the campfire with your fur kid. Check out these super cool tips for travelling with pets in Australia, like finding pet-friendly accommodations, and ensuring pet safety (of course)…

With Australia having one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world, we know your furry best friend is a family member (no doubt about that!). Travelling with pets is only a natural step if you hate the thought of leaving them behind while on holiday.

The good news is… Taking your pet on your next beach getaway, countryside camping session or multi-stop road trip is easier than you think. In this blog, we’ll give you the keys to making travelling with your pet fun and fuss-free.

Should you travel with your pet?

Furry, feathered or scaled, there’s no doubt we form emotional bonds with our pets. They’re loyal companions and trusted confidants. They motivate us to be healthier and more active. They inspire us to appreciate the little things and teach us to see the world differently.

Are you feeling weighed down with the stresses of everyday life and work (we hear you)? Bringing your pet along for a well-earned break can help you relax and let go, and reward you with lots of love along the way.

Of course, it’s not for everyone. Some animals find travelling stressful. Pets jump, claw and climb on the dash or crawl under car pedals within an instant. This is why ensuring your pets are secure in the car – think crate or harness combined with a seatbelt – needs to be a pet safety priority on every trip you and your fur kid make.

When you’re deciding if your pet is suited to your next holiday here are a few things to consider…

How well does your pet travel?

When you’re travelling with pets, it’s worth remembering animals rely heavily on their senses to make sense of their world. Different sights, smells and sounds can cause excitement or stress. Each animal responds differently depending on the environment and the length of time travelling.

Common travel buddies

The most common travel companions are dogs, cats and horses. Pets like guinea pigs, rabbits or reptiles are best left with friends, neighbours or at a boarding house. This is because they usually don’t travel well. Besides, how would you explain the loss of your pet rodent or snake in the holiday house?

Travelling with a bird? Your pet budgie or cockatiel might be playful and happy at home, but stress from travel can be fatal for them. On the flipside, larger birds such as parrots, cockatoos and macaws can suffer from separation anxiety (read about managing separation anxiety in birds) so a well-planned trip with you might be something they love.

Be well prepared

The best approach? Arm yourself with the right knowledge to make the best decision for you and your friend. Whatever species they may be, it’s always best to ask advice from your vet beforehand. Animals are their profession, after all.

While you’re there definitely make time to have your pet’s health checked too.

Travelling to pet-friendly destinations

When choosing a destination for you/your purrfect pal we recommend you balance your needs with those of your pet. And other holiday goers.

For example, it’s important to note that pets are generally not permitted in Australia’s national parks. This is due to the effects they have on the flora and fauna while you’re there (the only exception is assistance animals).

Some of the best places to venture together on that much-needed break are:

• Camping and caravanning
• Regional beach holidays
• Ranch and farm stays

Alternatively, you might want a city break. With research, that will work too – there are plenty of choices available these days.

Considering going even further, as in taking your pet friend overseas for some sightseeing? When it comes to travelling outside of Australia the rules about re-entry vary. Remember that pets must satisfy all the biosecurity regulations. This could result in a period of quarantine.

Travelling with pets: Pet-friendly accommodation

Thankfully there’s a plethora of pet-friendly accommodation options across Australia that cater for a wide range of pets! So booking the right place is a cinch. Just remember to call ahead to double-check what pets are accepted if it’s not clearly stated on the website.

Here are a few helpful links for information on pet-friendly accommodation:

• pet-friendly accommodation NSW
• dog-friendly camping trips
• pet-friendly accessible accommodation
• pet-friendly Airbnbs
• pet-friendly accommodation in WA

Wondering what to pack on a road trip with your fur-end?

A road trip can be a wonderful adventure, especially with your furry pal by your side. There’s also a chance you could forget something important and your pet needs it ASAP, turning a glorious road trip into the stuff of a pet parenting nightmare.

There’s no need to worry though, we’ve always got you covered. Here’re some of the most important items to pack so that your pet has as much fun as you do:

• Pack a travel bag – throw in a leash, collar, and ID tags with your contact info. Be sure to keep your pet’s identification tags up-to-date with your current contact info. The worst-case scenario is that your pet gets lost, so you should also keep a recent photo on hand. Read this ‘Tips to Find Your Lost Pet on a Holiday Roadtrip‘ article for more info on how to handle this sort of situation.
• Yum food – puur-chase some healthy food for the trip, along with collapsible travel bowls so your cat or dog can eat in style.
• Treat time – while you’re munching on your favourite snack, give Woofles his favourite treat to reward good behaviour.
• Water, water, and more water – especially if you’re travelling through an area without easy access to water, make sure your fur-end always has enough fresh water.

Other essential items to pack…

• Get cosy – pack a familiar blanket or bedding so kitty or doggo can catch some zzz’s peacefully.
• Pet carrier – bring along your pet’s carrier if they’re used to one so they have a safe and secure space to get comfortable in.
• Poop time – don’t forget to keep plenty of poop bags on hand for proper disposal when your pet does what they need to do. You’ll also need paper towels, pet-safe cleaning solutions, and trash bags in case of accidents.
• Entertain me, hooman – bring interactive toys (to occupy that busy mind), blankets, or anything else that can make your pet feel comfortable and familiar, reducing anxiety.
• Grooming supplies – don’t forget a brush, toothpaste, and a toothbrush (while you’re at it, check out why it’s so, so, so important to invest in pet dental insurance), pet-safe wipes and anything else grooming-related that your pet might need.

Calm, comfortable car travel

The key to stress-free travelling with pets is planning and safety.

The first thing to remember is that animals can get motion sickness just like people. It’s a good idea to pack some travel sickness remedies. Just in case, along with any other medication they usually take.

Keep a close eye on them for travel sickness signs and tend to them as soon as you see it occurring. If you’ve ever been seasick and stuck out on the water you know how debilitating it can be and how much you just want to return home once it hits.

Regular stops and fresh air are key to safe travel

Regardless of whether you’re travelling in winter, summer or somewhere in between, you need to take a break regularly. Not only does this help with driver fatigue, stopping every two hours or so helps pets avoid getting car sick. This also helps them avoid dehydration, giving them time to have something to drink – and eat – while stretching their legs and using the toilet.

Importantly, never leave your pets in hot cars, even for just a few minutes. Our pets can’t regulate their body temperature like humans and a few short minutes in a hot car can be fatal. Pet safety comes first and foremost.

Remember: if your pet requires any medication, be sure to bring them along. Also include a basic first aid kit with items like bandages, antiseptic wipes, and tweezers.

As for driving safely according to your location, the rules differ from state to state – read this ‘Road Rules You Might Not Know About‘ article for more info. Another important read is: Distracted Driving: 5 Ways to Avoid It.

Reducing driver distractions inside the car makes perfect sense. You don’t want your pup to be one of the many who are injured or killed each year after falling or jumping from a moving car, or become a projectile when you have to brake suddenly.

Check out our ‘A Guide to Pet Safety in Cars‘ article to learn more.

More great tips for travelling with pets

Are you taking your next trip with a dog, cat or horse? Explore what to pack, where to stay, which pet safety checks to make before you leave and the five essentials of travel with each type of animal, in our tips for holidaying with pets blog post. Between that and this article, you’ll be travelling much more confidently.

Not to mention including award-winning pet insurance in your arsenal – then you’ll be covered for a whole range of illness and injury costs if your fur kid is unlucky enough to run into trouble while on holiday 🌴.

Our comprehensive car insurance features valuable cover too. To get a quote for either, click below.