Traveling is a lot of fun and can help relieve all kinds of stress. Not only is going somewhere new fun and exciting, it can actually boost your professional productivity. In fact, professional services from Ernst & Young conducted an internal study of its employees and found that for each additional 10 hours of vacation time employees took, their year-end performance ratings improved 8%.
Though traveling is a lot of fun, no matter where you’re going, it can be quite stressful — especially if you have pets. While there are roughly 9,000 boarding kennels in the U.S. and Canada, many pet parents choose to bring their furry friends along for the trip.
According to Forbes Magazine, 92% of pet owners spent the same or more on their pets during the most recent recession period. When traveling with a dog or pet, you have to budget for all the same expenses as everyone else on top of the costs tied to pet care and travel.
Pet owners could choose to just leave their pets at home during their trip, sure, but opting for a kennel or a sitter can be just as — if not more — expensive. Let’s take a look at the extra expenses pet owners need to budget for while vacationing or traveling:
- Pet-friendly airlines — It’s imperative that you find an airline that allows pets to ride in the cabin, even if they have to stay in a carrier under the seat — it’s better than running around the airport in a panic not knowing what to do. Some airlines can charge around $100 for pet travel.
- Hotel surcharges — Before booking your hotel room, make sure to ask if there is a pet surcharge. Most places will likely accommodate your furry friend, but not every hotel will accept pets. It’s best to budget an extra few bucks for possible pet surcharges.
- Pet beach fees — If you’re vacationing at a beach destination, some time playing in the sand can be a lot of fun for the whole family. It’s important to note, however, there are some beaches across the country that charge non-refundable pet fees upon admittance.
Whether you’re traveling to Florida for a week at the beach, going on a business trip, or even moving across the country, you need to carefully plan for extra pet-related expenses. Statistics show that Fridays are the busiest days in the moving industry, with 19.45% of moves occurring on Fridays in 2016. If your pet doesn’t handle busy airports or large crowds very well, you might want to opt for a different day to book your flight.
If you’re traveling by car, there are a few important things to keep in mind to ensure a fun and stress-free trip for all — including your dog or cat:
- Keep your pet in the back seat of the car to avoid injuries. If your pet is in the passenger seat and the airbag deploys, it could cause serious damage.
- Make sure you’re stopping frequently to allow your pet to go to the bathroom, stretch, and get a little exercise in.
- Don’t ever leave your pet inside the car alone. Even during quick pit stops, either make sure someone stays in the car with your pet or let them get out with you.
Above all, it’s important to not stress out too much and have fun during your trip. As long as you’re properly budgeting and planning things carefully, your trip, whether it’s for business, leisure, or relocation, will be a success. Enjoy!