Traveling with your pets is like traveling with an infant. You will need to be well prepared to handle emergency situations and take care of your pet throughout the journey. However, the perks of spending quality time with your furry friend are worth the efforts you put in. Here is a useful pet travel checklist you should keep while packing for your trip.

• Crates or kennels:  Irrespective of whether you are driving or taking a flight, crates and kennels have to be on the top of your pet travel checklist. Pets feel safe inside their kennels and crates, which are familiar spaces. In flights, the use of such crates is compulsory. Even during car drives, it is risky having your pet move from the back to the front, distracting the driver. Keeping them in contained spaces is a safe choice.
• Safety harnesses, collars, and leashes:  Even if you are not in the habit of putting your dog or cat on a leash at home, when you go out to stay in hotels, leashes and collars are compulsory. Some hotels may have a strict leashing policy. Even otherwise, it is safe to keep your pets close to you.
• Food and water:  Another of the essential items in the pet travel checklist is food and water. Make sure you stock up on both in excess for a few days. Just like humans, pets also get ravenous thanks to all the traveling. Also, keep your pet’s food and water bowls close to hand.
• Poop bags/litter boxes:  If you are a pet parent, you cannot step outside the house without a couple of poop bags in your pocket. The same is true for long travels.
• Vaccination records:  A lot of hotels ask for vaccination records of dogs and cats before they let them stay. Rabies certificates are especially important. Keep soft copies of the records in your phone to be on the safer side.
• Medical prescriptions:  A vital item in the pet travel checklist that most pet parents miss out is the pet’s medical prescription. It is helpful to have past prescriptions of medications the pet may have had when there was an allergy attack or during an upset stomach. It will help you reach out to a vet in the local area when you have past medical records with you.
• First aid kit:  What would you do if your pet had a scratch and is bleeding? What to do if your pet vomits? A first aid kit will keep you well prepared for handling such emergencies.

Trips that you take with your pets always turn out unforgettable. It is so much fun taking your furry best friends with you to new places and letting them explore the local attractions there. The next time you decide to plan a trip with them, keep this pet travel checklist handy for an easy time of it.