Traveling is one of the greatest joys of life, and the ability to share that experience with your pet makes for a most memorable trip. Pets contribute a substantial amount to our lives, showing us unconditional love and keeping us company when we’re otherwise alone.

However, many of us consider the process of taking our pet on-the-road an inconvenience, so we typically avoid it. But we’re here to tell you that bringing your pet along for the ride is possible, and it enhances the trip.

We’ve made a list that compiles three ways you can travel with your pet stress-free and make the most out of your time away.

1.    Register Your Pet as an Emotional Support Animal

For many people, our pets help us maintain mental health. If you deal with illnesses like depression, anxiety, or OCD, you may qualify for an emotional support animal.

Now, many people confuse emotional support animals, therapy animals, and service animals, but these are all unique types of animals that serve different purposes. Therapy animals are not licensed to fly with you the way that the other examples are. However, both emotional support animals and service animals can join you on commercial airlines if they’re properly registered.

If you’re going to register your animal as an ESA, you’ll first want to make sure you know the answer to this question: what are the different types of service dogs? Without this knowledge, you might waste your time applying for an ESA letter when your pet is better suited as a service animal.

1.    Drive, Don’t Fly

Commercial airlines may dictate the amount of luggage we bring and whether or not pets are allowed, but when we drive our own cars, we don’t have to answer to rules like that. The biggest downside to driving is the length of the journey (depending upon where you’re going), but it is also significantly cheaper and abides by no one’s schedule other than your own.

You can make stops whenever you need to, pause and resume driving at your leisure, and tend to your pet as needed. This option also allows for as much luggage that can fit in your car and is therefore appealing to animals like cats that may have a litter box and an assortment of belongings.

For small animals that already live in a cage, like birds or rodents, this may be the most ideal choice as it does not impact their usual routine.

2.    Seek Private Transportation

Although it’s a less common option, there are a wide range of private airline companies that are more than willing to fly passengers and their respective pets. Of course, this route is less affordable than the previous ones, so you’ll have to decide if it’s the right course of action for you and your financial situation.

With that said, depending on the price and destination of the commercial flights you’re looking at, some private companies have comparable rates that can better suit your needs. Additionally, they can personalize you and your pet’s experience in ways that commercial airlines don’t have the flexibility to do.

Final Thoughts

Our pets mean the world to us, and when they can come along on a new adventure, it’s a surefire way to make a fantastic trip unforgettable.

Whether you’re taking your dog to the beach, your cat to a city across the country, or a parakeet to a cabin in the mountains, consider registering your animal and which transportation is best to bring your beloved animal alongside you. Prepare for an extraordinary trip with lots of pet bonding and plenty of cute picture opportunities!