It is always important to keep your pet healthy. One of the ways to do this is by ensuring you have routine vet visits and have all the vaccinations up-to-date. Regarding traveling with your pet, the rules are more stringent. It would be best if you had recent pet health certificates. You will also need to talk to all the places you will be staying, the traveling service providers, and any relevant authorities.

Both state-to-state and international travel requires that you meet some requirements. The rules may differ depending on the state or country you are traveling to. You will need to research to determine what requirements you need to meet. However, most have some similar requirements.

What Is a Pet Health Certificate?

A pet health certificate is a document that you need if you want to travel with your pet. A registered and certified veterinarian should complete it. It is a way for the relevant authorities to ensure that your pet meets all the health requirements. It ensures that your pet will not infect other pets or humans while you travel or in the state or country you are going to.

What Is in a Pet Health Certificate?

A pet health certificate includes several types of information that help identify your pet and tell more about its health history. Some of these are easy to fill out, like your pet's age, breed and color, name, and country of origin. Others need a veterinarian to fill out. Some of these are:

Vaccinations

Your pet should have their vaccinations up-to-date before you travel. Vaccinations help protect other pets and humans from pathogens that your pet may have if they are not vaccinated. You will need to include the dates of the vaccinations and the manufacturer of the vaccinations. Some of the most common vaccinations are:

 

• Rabies

Your pet needs to have the vaccination at least 30 days from the date of travel but no more than 12 months. Rabies is contagious and dangerous for pets and humans alike. You do not want your pet infecting others or being infected while you are on the trip.

 

• Parainfluenza Virus

It is a respiratory infection that affects dogs. It is especially important to have your dog get this vaccine if there is a chance that they will stay in a boarding facility where you will travel to. One vaccine that combines parainfluenza and Bordetella will protect your dog from kennel cough.

Parasite Checks

You also must ensure that your pet gets proper parasite checks. Parasites like heartworm and tapeworm are dangerous for a pet's health. Heartworm may also be transmitted to other pets, so it is paramount that your pet is on heartworm-preventative care.

Does Your Pet Qualify for Travel?

You must contact the state or country you are traveling to ensure they will accept your pet. Also, you will need to contact the hotels you will be staying at to ensure they allow pets on their premises. Also, the airline you will use will have its regulations for having pets onboard. You can easily travel with your pet when you have all these right.

For more on whether your pet qualifies for pet health certificates for travel, visit Dr. J Personal Vet at our office in Atlanta, Georgia. Call (855) 738-7437​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ to book an appointment today.