Traveling With Pets: Tips for a Calm, Stress-Free Journey

Traveling with your pet can turn an ordinary trip into a great adventure. Whether you're heading out on a weekend road trip, visiting family, or taking a longer vacation, bringing your furry companion along means more time together—and plenty of memories.

But travel can also be stressful for pets.

New sounds, unfamiliar places, changes in routine, long car rides, and crowded environments can leave some dogs and cats feeling uneasy. You may notice panting, pacing, whining, excessive barking, hiding, restlessness, or other changes in behavior.

Fortunately, a little preparation can make a big difference.

At Fat Sam’s for Pets, we're all about helping pets feel comfortable and supported through life's everyday adventures. Here are some of our favorite tips for making traveling with pets safer, calmer, and more enjoyable for everyone.

1. Help Your Pet Get Comfortable With Travel Before the Trip

If your pet isn't accustomed to traveling, don't make the big vacation their first experience.

Start small.

For pets traveling in a carrier, leave the carrier open in your home several days—or even weeks—before your trip. Add a favorite blanket, toy, or a few treats and allow your pet to investigate it without pressure.

For dogs traveling by car, try a few short practice rides around the neighborhood before gradually increasing the length of each trip.

The goal is to help your pet begin associating the carrier or vehicle with familiar, positive experiences rather than something that only appears when something stressful is about to happen.

2. Talk With Your Veterinarian Before Traveling

Before a longer trip, especially if your pet is older or has an existing health condition, consider checking in with your veterinarian.

If you're flying or using another form of commercial transportation, ask your airline or travel provider which health certificates, vaccination records, or other documents may be required.

A veterinary visit is also a good opportunity to discuss any previous travel anxiety, motion sickness, medications, or health concerns specific to your pet.

And if you're considering adding CBD or another wellness product to your pet's routine for the first time, talk with your veterinarian about whether it's appropriate for your individual pet.

3. Use a Secure Carrier or Pet Restraint

Safety comes first when traveling.

Cats and smaller pets should travel in a secure, well-ventilated carrier with enough room to stand, turn around, and lie comfortably.

Dogs riding in the car should be appropriately restrained with a secured crate, carrier, or pet-specific vehicle harness.

Allowing pets to roam freely inside a moving vehicle can be distracting for the driver and unsafe for your pet if you need to brake suddenly.

4. Pack a Pet Travel Comfort Kit

You have a suitcase. Your pet should have one, too.

Pack a few familiar things that smell and feel like home. Familiar scents and objects can make an unfamiliar hotel room, vacation rental, or family home feel less intimidating.

Your pet travel kit might include:

• Food and treats
• Fresh water and a travel bowl
• Favorite blanket or bed
• Favorite toy
• Leash, harness, and waste bags
• Medications
• Vaccination and veterinary information
• Grooming or cleanup supplies
• An identification tag with current contact information
• Any wellness products your pet already uses
• Keeping these essentials together also makes stops along the way much easier.

5. Plan Ahead for Pets Who Get Nervous During Travel

Some pets hop into the car and immediately fall asleep.

Others hear the word "car" and disappear.

If your dog or cat tends to become nervous during travel, build their calming routine before you leave instead of waiting until they're already overwhelmed.

Keep the environment quiet and comfortable. Bring familiar bedding. Reduce unnecessary stimulation when possible and give your pet time to settle.

For pet parents who already include hemp-derived CBD in their pet's wellness routine, Fat Sam’s offers several easy-to-use options, including CBD Oil for Cats & Dogs, Pumpkin Peanut Butter CBD Dog Treats, and CBD Infused Peanut Butter.

Choose a product and serving routine appropriate for your pet, and introduce anything new at home rather than for the first time in the middle of a trip.

6. Take Regular Breaks on Road Trips

Long road trips are tiring for people and pets alike.

Plan regular stops so your dog has an opportunity to stretch, use the bathroom, drink water, and get a little fresh air.

Always leash your dog before opening the vehicle door, particularly at unfamiliar rest areas where unexpected noises, traffic, people, or other animals could startle them.

For cats and other pets traveling in carriers, be especially cautious before opening a carrier while away from home.

7. Bring Something to Keep Your Dog Occupied

A little entertainment can go a long way during a long trip or once you've reached your destination.

Pack a favorite chew, enrichment toy, puzzle, or licking mat.

One Fat Sam's favorite? A licking mat with a little peanut butter spread across it can provide an engaging activity for dogs while everyone settles in.

If you're using peanut butter that wasn't specifically made for pets, always check the ingredients and make sure it does not contain xylitol, which is dangerous for dogs.

8. Keep Your Pet Comfortable in the Car

Temperature matters.

Keep the vehicle comfortably ventilated and monitor your pet throughout your trip, especially during hot or cold weather.

And never leave a pet unattended in a parked vehicle. Temperatures inside a vehicle can become dangerous quickly, even when the weather outside doesn't seem extreme.

Keep water accessible during travel breaks, and watch your pet for signs that they need more frequent stops.

9. Create a Safe Space When You Arrive

Arrival can be one of the most overwhelming parts of a trip.

Suddenly, your pet is surrounded by unfamiliar smells, rooms, people, and noises.

Instead of immediately encouraging them to explore everything, establish a quiet home base first.

Set up their bed or blanket, water, toys, carrier, and other familiar items in one area. Let them investigate their new surroundings at their own pace.

Some pets will be ready to explore immediately. Others may need several hours—or longer—to relax.

Follow their lead.

10. Keep Their Routine as Normal as Possible

Vacations change our schedules, but your pet doesn't necessarily understand why breakfast is suddenly three hours late.

When possible, keep feeding, walking, bathroom, playtime, and bedtime routines close to what your pet experiences at home.

Predictability can be reassuring when everything else around them is different.

11. Introduce New Surroundings Gradually

Once your pet has settled in, let them explore their temporary surroundings little by little.

For dogs, start with a short walk around the property or neighborhood before heading into a crowded downtown area, patio, festival, beach, or other stimulating destination.

Pay attention to your dog's body language. If they're becoming overwhelmed, give them some quiet time rather than pushing through the experience.

A successful pet-friendly vacation doesn't require your pet to participate in every activity.

Sometimes the most pet-friendly choice is letting them relax.

What Should You Bring to Help Keep Your Dog Calm While Traveling?

Every dog is different, but a simple travel-calming kit could include:

• A familiar blanket or bed
• A favorite enrichment toy
• Plenty of water
• High-value treats
• A secure harness or crate
• A licking mat or chew
• Your pet's regular wellness products
• Fat Sam’s CBD treats, oil, or infused peanut butter if CBD is already part of your pet's routine

The key is familiarity. Travel day generally isn't the best time to introduce several new foods, supplements, or routines at once.

Can CBD Be Part of Your Pet's Travel Routine?

Some pet parents choose hemp-derived CBD as part of their pet's broader wellness routine, particularly during situations they know their pet finds challenging.

If you're considering CBD, choose a pet-specific product from a source that prioritizes ingredient quality and testing, and select an option appropriate for your pet's size and individual needs.

Fat Sam’s for Pets offers several formats so pet parents can choose what works best for their companion, including CBD dog treats, CBD oil for dogs and cats, and CBD-infused peanut butter.

If your pet takes medications or has an ongoing medical condition, best to consult your veterinarian before adding it to their routine.

Happy Travels From Fat Sam's

Traveling with pets may require a little more planning, but having your best friend beside you can make the extra preparation completely worthwhile.

Start preparing before departure, keep safety and routine top of mind, bring plenty of familiar comforts, and give your pet time to adjust along the way.

Most importantly, remember that every pet travels differently.

Some are born road-trip companions. Others need a little more reassurance.

Wherever you're headed, the goal isn't a "perfect" trip—it's helping your pet feel safe, comfortable, and cared for while you enjoy the adventure together.

Ready to prepare for your next adventure? Explore Fat Sam’s for Pets CBD treats, oil drops, and infused peanut butter.