Traveling with Pets: Q&A with Dr. Danielle Bernal, Staff Veterinarian Wellness Natural Pet Food

We talk with Dr. Danielle Bernal, a Veterinarian who talks to us about essentials and when traveling with a pet and some places to check out with your four legged pal. 

Q: Tell us about yourself and background.

A: I am a veterinarian, mother of three rambunctious boys and pet parent to two Border Collies. Pets have always been at the heart of all my passions; growing up, every minute of my day outside of school was spent on my parent’s farm, riding horses and training my dogs.  Needless to say, it was that love for all things four-legged that saw me pursue my career into the field of vet medicine. Today, at Wellness Natural Pet Food, I have the privilege of working with the number one, family-owned natural pet food company. Wellness allows pet parents see the real and visible difference that better nutrition can make in pet’s life, while making mealtime exciting, tasty and enjoyable. The brand caters to the unique nutritional needs each of our pets requires, including: grain-free recipes, raw and freeze-dried kibble and treats, as well as canned food options.

Q: What are packing essentials for traveling with a pet?

A: Much like packing for ourselves for vacation and travel, creating a checklist for our pets (and checking it twice!), allows for a stress-free vacation. Here are some tips for packing for your pet:

1. Be prepared.  Check that your fur family is up to date with their vaccinations, make sure their microchip is registered with all your current contact details, check their ID tag and collar are secure and if you are going overseas, make sure their passport is completed as to the governing body of both the USA and your vacation destination’s needs. With clear identification and a full bill of health, you are setting yourself up that if they do get lost then they should be reunited back with you as soon as possible. 

2. Do your homework in case of an emergency: Before you leave home, do your research.  Find out where the closest veterinarian is to your accommodation, check what hours they are open and if an emergency clinic is nearby. During the panic that often ensues when something goes wrong, knowing these details can be helpful in making sure you get to the vet faster and with a whole lot less stress

3. Get packing. To ensure your dog or cat feels content and happy during the vacation, pack the essentials, and a few objects of comfort to keep them happy while away from home.

• Bedding and blankets: While some destinations may have the perfect setup for pets, not all of them do.  Packing your pet’s bed and some blankets is essential to making sure that they feel at home and comfortable when you all arrive. 

• Food, water and bowls: One of the most important parts of traveling with pets is making sure that they feel great and keep healthy. Some pets can get naturally anxious when they travel and subsequently get increased stomach upsets or loose stools. Feeding a natural grain-free diet reinforced with intestinal support like Wellness^® CORE^® or Wellness^® Complete Health^® a couple weeks prior to departure can help promote a healthier bacterial balance to minimize the impact of the pet’s stress during the travel and holiday. Once you hit the road, pet parents should continue to feed the same diet for the entire trip to keep them healthy and minimize any sudden upsets. Depending on the length of your vacation and where you are going, the easiest trick is to just throw a smaller bag of their food in the car and make sure you pack their bowls.  Don’t forget to also pack some bottled water for the trip and take multiple drink and toilet breaks as you go. And to keep their anxiety levels at a minimum whether in-flight or in the car, don’t forget to pack some treats, like Wellness^® WellBars^® or Wellness Kittles™ to distract and reward for good behavior as you make your journey to your vacation destination!

• Leashes, poop bags and toys: Whether it is a new walking trail, brunch at a great café or relaxing at your new home, you will want to make sure you can take your dog with you wherever you go on the trip, so pack their leashes, some bags for easy clean up and their favorite toys so they know what they can and can’t play with. If you are traveling with your cat, pack your litter box and kitty litter so they can comfortably use the bathroom.  Should you want to use a portable litter tray that can collapse down, don’t forget to let your cat use it for a couple weeks before you leave so that they can get used to it.

• Crates and cleaning supplies: Not every holiday destination is pet proof so a failsafe way of making sure that your pet is safe and sound at night or when you are not home is to bring their crate. For pets who have undergone crate training this can also provide a great sense of comfort to them while you are away.  Don’t forget that accidents are bound to happen so throwing in some cleaning supplies and clothes can make for swift and easy clean-ups.  

• Medicine and first aid: Should your pet be on set medication from your veterinarian, pack it in the hand luggage to make sure it is doesn’t get misplaced and most importantly set reminders to make sure that you stay on the same schedule as you would at home. Packing a simple pet first aid kit is also a great tip. Whether it is just a quick check of their temperature or mending a simple scratch – the first aid kit will come in handy should you need it.

Q: What are spots you recommend to go with a pet?

A: When planning a vacation that includes your pet, here are some options that pet parents can consider:

• Flying: Look for pet friendly airlines like, JetBlue (JetPaws Pet Program), Air Canada, American Airlines or Delta Airlines that can accommodate both large and small dogs, as well as cats. **Best to call ahead of time for each airlines pet policy differs

• A Home Away from Home: Pet parents looking for a more homestay feel, whether it is a flight or car ride away, can look to rent from places like HomeAway that allows pets in the home.

• Sleep Away Camp: Ever considered a sleepaway camp for your family and pet? Places like Camp Unleashed in the Berkshires of Massachusetts allows for families and their pets to get away from it all and experience the beauty of the great outdoors.

• Beach Babes: Beaches all over the U.S. allow for a beautiful beach vacations for you, your family and your pets. From Lake Havasu in Arizona to the Cape Cod National Seashore, pets are can join in on the fun! **Pet parents should check the rules ahead of leaving for vacation on when and where pets can go on certain beaches.

Q: What tips do you have for traveling with a pet?

A: Enjoy the adventure and create memori
es that you and your family (including your fur baby!) will always remember. Below are tips to keep in mind when traveling with your pet:

1. The Journey. Whether driving or flying, make sure your pet is comfortable, can move easily and has plenty of access to fresh water.  You will also need to take regular bathroom breaks during the trip; use this time so that they can stretch their legs.  In the car if you are not using a crate, make sure you have them safely harnessed into the seat. 

2. Keep them healthy: As tempting as it is, try not to feed your pet the BBQ leftovers or special treats off your plate. Their big brown eyes may be telling you one story, but their tummy will soon tell you another. The higher fat levels in our food can often result in diarrhea or vomiting and if they get hold of some bones or skewer sticks the end result could be far more extreme with a trip to the veterinary clinic. Instead, pack a natural, nutrition treat options, like Wellness CORE 100% Meat Freeze Dried Treats for dogs, so you can feel good about how you treat your dog while on vacation.

3. Keep them active: Make sure you still take your pet out for their daily exercise to help burn off excess energy after long travel days.

4. Have fun! It is a vacation after all!

Q: What travel trends do you foresee for 2017?

A: Taking Back Vacation Time: Studies are showing more Americans are taking time off for themselves to recharge and relax. Take the opportunity and bring Fido or Fluffy along with the ride and spend some quality R&R time catching up with your furry friends.

Going Digital: It’s no secret our world is in the palm of our hands these days. Vacation bookings from site seeing to dinner reservations are all being done online via our smartphones. When making reservations online remember to check the pet policy for certain things like site-seeing tours or restaurants that are pet friendly. You don’t want to bring your pet to a place they aren’t allowed to be!

Capturing the Moment: Everyone wants that “Instagram-worthy” moment to highlight their trip to their friends and family. Whether you’ve created an Instagram for your pet or just want to include on your handle, make sure to get them involved! Everyone loves to see a happy pup jumping in the water for a tennis ball or cat relaxing in front of a beautiful sunset