HOW TO TRAVEL WITH A PET

VET VISITS, THOROUGH PAPERWORK AND CAREFUL DESTINATION PLANNING ENSURE A STRESS-FREE VACATION

- STORY: DANIELLE GELFAND / NYT

Last year, my family unexpectedly adopted Gracie, a Chiweenie (that's a cross between a Chihuahua and a dachshund).

I soon found myself scrambling to rebook a trip we'd planned at a no-pets resort. Scanning pet-friendly alternatives online, I saw plenty of dogs taking glorious hikes or frolicking on the beach. But I began to fear this first trip with a pet might be a bit like the first one we took with our baby daughter. Which is to say: not much of a vacation.

The good news, I learned, is that with careful planning, travelling with companion animals can be fun and fulfilling. Here are five tips for making that happen.

Take into account your pet's personality and temperament. If your pet is sedentary, think twice about that hike in Big Sur. “If you're going to an activity which your pet has not been used to doing, you probably don’t want to do it,” said Dr Michael Bailey, a veterinarian and president of the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Consider a slow-paced, walkable environment with access to outdoor adventures. Think about what your pet will be doing all day if you're planning on going to museums and restaurants where an animal might not be welcome. “I think our best success for travelling with our pet is somewhere where they can do activities with us,’ said Nicole Ellis, a certified animal trainer with Rover, an app that lets you book pet care.

You also want to think about your destination’s climate, as some pets don’t do well in heat or cold. Just like people, dogs can sunburn and cats who love sunning themselves are also at risk. Make sure to keep them out of the heat for extended periods.