Summer is the season for family vacations, weekend camping trips, and spontaneous road trips. For many pet owners, the adventure isn’t complete without bringing their dog or cat along for the ride. While traveling with pets can create unforgettable memories, it also requires careful planning to ensure they stay healthy, comfortable, and safe throughout the journey.
At Tempe Lake Veterinary Clinic & Pet Resort, we help pets enjoy every season, whether they’re exploring Arizona with their families or relaxing in our boarding facility while their owners travel. If you’re planning a summer getaway, here are some important travel safety tips to help you make the best decision for your pet.
Is Your Pet Ready to Travel?
Not every pet enjoys traveling, and that’s perfectly normal. Some dogs thrive on hiking trails and long car rides, while others become anxious the moment the engine starts. Cats, senior pets, puppies, kittens, and pets with chronic medical conditions often find travel especially stressful.
Before making plans, ask yourself:
- Will my pet actually enjoy this trip?
- Will they be spending most of the vacation alone in a hotel room?
- Will temperatures be safe where we’re traveling?
- Are the activities truly pet-friendly?
Sometimes the safest and kindest option is allowing your pet to stay somewhere they can receive attentive care while you enjoy your vacation.
Schedule a Wellness Exam Before You Leave
Whether your pet will be joining you or staying behind, a pre-travel wellness exam is a smart idea.
Your veterinarian can:
- Ensure vaccinations are current.
- Refill medications.
- Discuss motion sickness or travel anxiety.
- Recommend parasite prevention based on your destination.
- Review any health concerns that could affect travel.
- Provide copies of medical records if needed.
A quick visit before your trip can help prevent unexpected medical issues while you’re away.
Travel Safely in the Car
If your pet is hitting the road with you, vehicle safety should always come first.
For dogs:
- Use a crash-tested travel harness or secured crate.
- Never allow your dog to ride in the bed of a pickup truck.
- Stop every few hours for water, bathroom breaks, and exercise.
- Keep your pet safely restrained rather than riding in the front seat.
For cats:
- Travel in a sturdy, well-ventilated carrier.
- Secure the carrier with a seatbelt.
- Never allow your cat to roam freely inside the vehicle.
Bringing familiar blankets, toys, and treats can also help reduce travel anxiety.
Never Leave Pets in a Parked Car
Even a quick stop can become dangerous during the summer.
The inside of a parked vehicle can reach deadly temperatures within minutes, even if the windows are cracked. Heatstroke develops quickly and can become fatal before owners realize their pet is in distress.
Plan stops that welcome pets or have one family member stay with your pet if another needs to go inside.
Pack Everything Your Pet Needs
Travel is much smoother when you bring familiar supplies.
Your travel bag should include:
- Food for the entire trip
- Fresh water
- Food and water bowls
- Medications
- Leash and harness
- Waste bags
- Favorite toys
- Bedding
- Medical records
- Microchip information
- Pet first-aid kit
- Grooming supplies if needed
Keeping your pet on their normal food helps reduce stomach upset while traveling.
Stay Safe While Camping
Camping is one of the best ways to enjoy Arizona’s beautiful scenery, but it also introduces new hazards.
Keep your dog leashed at all times to prevent encounters with wildlife and reduce the risk of getting lost.
Watch for:
- Rattlesnakes
- Scorpions
- Cactus
- Foxtails
- Sharp rocks
- Coyotes
- Javelinas
- Fast-moving water
After hikes, inspect your pet’s paws for burns, cuts, or cactus spines, and check their coat for foxtails or ticks.
Watch for Heatstroke
Arizona summers demand extra caution, even outside the Valley.
Signs of heatstroke include:
- Heavy panting
- Bright red gums
- Excessive drooling
- Weakness
- Vomiting
- Staggering
- Collapse
If you notice these symptoms, move your pet into shade immediately, offer cool water, wet them with cool water, and seek emergency veterinary care right away.
Whenever possible, schedule walks and outdoor adventures during the early morning or evening when temperatures are lower.
Keep Identification Updated
Travel increases the chances of pets becoming separated from their families.
Before leaving:
- Verify your pet’s microchip registration is current.
- Make sure ID tags are securely attached.
- Include your current cell phone number.
- Consider adding your vacation destination or emergency contact if you’ll be away for an extended period.
Taking a few minutes to update identification could make all the difference if your pet gets lost.
Vacation Doesn’t Always Mean Your Pet Has to Travel
Many owners feel guilty leaving their pets behind, but for some animals, staying in a familiar, caring environment is actually the less stressful option.
If your vacation involves long sightseeing days, amusement parks, museums, or destinations where pets aren’t welcome, your dog or cat may spend most of the trip confined to an unfamiliar hotel room. That’s rarely an enjoyable vacation for them.
Instead, boarding can provide:
- Daily interaction and attention
- Comfortable accommodations
- Regular feeding schedules
- Exercise and playtime
- Supervision by experienced animal care professionals
- Peace of mind while you’re away
At Tempe Lake Veterinary Clinic & Pet Resort, our boarding services give pets a safe, clean, and comfortable place to stay while their families travel. Because our veterinary team is right here on-site, you can enjoy your vacation knowing your pet is in experienced hands should any medical concerns arise.
Know Where to Go in an Emergency
If your pet is traveling with you, take a few minutes before leaving home to locate emergency veterinary hospitals along your route and near your destination.
Save important phone numbers in your phone, carry copies of your pet’s medical records, and know where to seek care if your pet develops vomiting, diarrhea, an injury, heatstroke, or another unexpected illness.
Planning ahead can save valuable time during an emergency.
Enjoy a Safe Summer Together
Whether your pet joins you on the adventure or enjoys a relaxing stay at our Pet Resort, planning ahead helps ensure everyone has a safer, more enjoyable summer.
If your pet will be traveling, schedule a pre-trip wellness visit to make sure they’re healthy and ready for the journey. If they’ll be staying behind, reserve their boarding accommodations early, as summer is one of the busiest travel seasons of the year.
At Tempe Lake Veterinary Clinic & Pet Resort, we’re here to help every part of your vacation go smoothly. From preventive care and travel health recommendations to comfortable boarding accommodations and veterinary support, our team is committed to keeping your pets safe, healthy, and happy all summer long. We look forward to helping you prepare for your next adventure, wherever it takes you.