Travel planning for seniors with pets

As their own children grow up and move out to form their own families, many boomers are left with empty nests and may choose to fill that void with the companionship of a dog. At the same time, the freedom from work and family responsibilities means more opportunity to travel, which can lead to a conundrum: what to do with your pooch while you hit the open road.

Adopting a pet during retirement
If you’re planning to adopt a dog and want to be able to take your pup with you on your adventures, you’ll want to consider the type of travel you plan to do when deciding upon the breed of your new pet. Different sizes and temperaments of dogs offer advantages and disadvantages depending on your chosen activities. Thankfully, petravel.com has broken down the various breeds according to which are best suited to different types of travel.

Smaller dogs, for example, are great if you plan to do a lot of air travel and want to be able to bring your pooch along, and it’s often easier to find a hotel that accepts small dogs. On the other hand, if you’re more of an outdoorsman and plan to go camping, boating or hiking, a larger sporting breed may be better able to handle the challenges of the wilderness. Just make sure you can handle the energy levels of these active dogs – they’re still going to need plenty of exercise even after your trip has come to an end.

Flying the friendly skies
Whatever the size of your dog, if you’re planning on taking your pet with you on an airplane, you should familiarize yourself with the airline’s requirements on pet travel, preferably before you purchase nonrefundable tickets. Smaller animals can usually travel in the cabin with you, but be aware the carrying case will often count as part of your carry-on quota.

Air Canada, for instance, allows dogs and cats that weigh less than 22 pounds (10 kg) in their carrier to fly with you in the cabin on certain flights. Pets that go over the weight limit will need to ride in the plane’s baggage hold. Because the cargo area is more vulnerable to the weather, there are quite a few seasonal restrictions.

Taking the show on the road
Should you prefer to drive to your destination and are bringing Fido, plan plenty of stops so that your dog can stretch its legs. The American Kennel Club recommends using a harness or crate to keep your pet safe within the vehicle, and you should start with several short trips before setting out on a longer journey if your dog isn’t used to travelling in the car.

You’ll also want to feed your pet more lightly than normal before hitting the road – about one-third the normal amount, according to the AKC – and make sure your pet stays well hydrated with access to fresh water.

Accommodating your pet
Once you’ve reached your destination, you’ll need to find a place to stay that welcomes canines. Thankfully, a number of websites can help you to find dog-friendly hotels, motels and campgrounds. Check out both Bringfido.com and Dogfriendly.com which have worldwide listings.

While retirement can bring freedom from work responsibilities, having a pet will help get you out of the house, socialize with your neighbors, and provide you with wonderful companionship during your golden years – why not visit your local humane society today?

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