It used to be the case that traveling with a dog was extremely difficult, if not impossible. Few hotels allowed pets, dog owners were resigned to traveling by car since they were not allowed to take their companion animals on trains and airplanes, and there were virtually no products available to support them. Today, though, more people are traveling with their pets than ever.

Plan in Advance

Pet owners who want to travel by plane, train, or bus should start planning well in advance to make sure that they can find companies willing to allow their pets on board. Never place an animal in a storage compartment and don't trust any airline or bus line that insists that dogs be crated and placed beneath the bus or in the plane's storage hold. It may cost more to take a plane, train, or bus that is truly pet-friendly, but it's worth the money to ensure the animal's safety.

Pack Extra Food and Medications

Owners of dogs that are on specialized diets or require daily medications should ensure that they're well-stocked prior to taking off. Depending on where they're heading, it might be difficult to find the right brand of food or a reliable veterinarian who can write a prescription. It's better to be safe than sorry, so if in doubt, always err on the side of caution and bring extra food and medication.

Bring the Right Accessories

Planning to go for bike rides, hikes, or long walks? Make sure to bring the right accessories such as dog booties for larger animals or a dog backpack for small to mid-sized dogs that will have a difficult time keeping up. Check out www.k9sportsack.com to view one dog carrier that receives rave reviews from current customers.

Safety First

All dogs should be taken to their regular veterinarians prior to heading off on vacations or family trips to make sure they're up-to-date on vaccines and are in good health. That's not the only step that pet owners can do to ensure their dogs' safety, though. They should also make sure that they're purchasing high-quality travel aides like the packs available at k9sportsack.com instead of trusting just any old product they find in a pet store.

Find Pet-Friendly Accommodations

Those who are driving instead of flying to their destinations should still make a point of planning in advance. While it's true that more hotel chains than ever are accepting pets, each one has a different pet policy and many have limited pet-friendly rooms. Call to make reservations in advance and make sure to ask about cleaning fees, as they can be quite steep at some hotels.