We know that our readers consider their four-legged friends a true part of the family - which means that when it is time to head out for vacation, you like your pet to travel with you. There are a lot of ways to make this experience comfortable for your pet and hassle-free for you, so take a look at these tips that have helped our other customers.

Get a microchip implanted in your furry friend

If you want your pet to travel with you, give yourself peace of mind by having a microchip implanted in him or her if you have not had this done already. Why? Some dogs and cats are more likely to make a run for it than others, but the unfamiliar surroundings of a hotel or vacation rental can make a lost pet more likely when you travel. If this happens, a microchip makes your chances of finding your furry friend again much more likely. If you do not know how this works, a microchip is a cylinder made of glass that slides in under the skin of your pet. It contains a unique code that connects with your contact information in a national database. Vet clinics and animal shelters will scan your pet's chip to find out how to get in touch with you.

Make sure vaccinations are up to date

Whether or not your pet will come into contact with other animals as part of your travel plans, updating vaccines is an important step. If you decide to board your pet on a particularly long day during your vacation, you will need that proof of vaccination. There may be some additional vaccines necessary depending on where you are heading for your travel plans, so talk to your veterinarian in advance. After all, some vaccines consist of multiple injections that take place over time before they become active.

Keeping your pet on the same food that he or she is used to gives your pet an element of stability going forward through the trip

Prepare your pet for exposure to parasites

Your own yard might be free of fleas and ticks, but travel could bring your pet into contact with those pests somewhere else, particularly if you are visiting a warm part of the world, where those pests tend to thrive. Talk to your veterinarian about the best parasite prevention medication for your furry pal.

Prepare for any emergencies

This means carrying a brief history of all of the vaccinations that your pet takes, as well as a history of major periods of illness along with ongoing prescriptions. You never know when your pet might suffer from a medical emergency, and you want to be just as prepared for that contingency as you are for a medical emergency for yourself or other family members. If you plan to check your pet in a carrier for a flight, attach the vaccine history of your pet to the character. Also, as you plan family activities during your travel, take a few minutes to research the closest emergency veterinary hospital near where you plan to stay.

Keep an eye out for dangerous plants

Pets are often naturally curious, and sometimes that curiosity involves sampling plants that are different from the ones they find in their own yards. There are a number of common plants, such as many milkweeds, azaleas, and even mushrooms, that can cause digestive distress in pets. If cats eat part of a lily plant, the consequences can be fatal. If you have any questions about whether your pet has sampled a poisonous plant during your travel, do not wait to get home. Go ahead and call your vet or a poison control hotline to get the best advice.

Bring pet food from home

You might be excited about the chance to eat seafood for a week at the beach, especially if you are from a landlocked part of the world. However, changes in pet food often lead to digestive issues. While you are looking forward to the chance to spend a week away from home, your pet does not know that the upcoming travel is a vacation. Instead, all your pet knows is that he or she is leaving home and that he or she does not know when the vacation will end, so your pet may think the move is a permanent one. Keeping your pet on the same food that he or she is used to gives your pet an element of stability going forward through the trip. Few things are less pleasant than a bout of vomiting or diarrhea from your pet in the middle of a long trip in the car. Bring your pet's food and treats with you, just in case the grocery stores where you are heading do not carry the same brand(s) and/or variety that your pet loves. It is also important to remember to offer your pet frequent water breaks during a long car ride. You do not mind pulling over every time you want a snack, a drink or a restroom stop, so make sure that you offer your pet similar breaks.

Keep an eye out for motion sickness in your pet

If you have ever taken a long car trip, then you know how unpleasant motion sickness can be and your pet does not know how to remedy the problem. You might think that your pet does not have motion sickness until he or she vomits in the car, but there are some other signs: listless behavior, anxiety, panting, yawning, whining, excess drooling and a refusal to get back int he car after a break. While on the trip, you can help out by holding your pet face forward or strapping him or her to the seat with a specially designed belt just for dogs. Another tip involves keeping the air conditioning running and lowering the windows several inches to make the air pressure the same, both inside and outside the car.

Think about boarding your pet

You might also think about giving your pet a vacation. Hotel Do Cão Algarve offers the best in care for animals while you are away. Leave the care of your pet to us and enjoy your travel!