Traveling with pets easy, fun

When planning a vacation, one challenge may be what to do with family pets. Here's a simple solution: take them along. These 11 tips can help everyone have a fun, safe vacation:

•Start small. Do a few day trips first. Next, try an overnight trip, even if it's just a stay with a friend. If that goes well, take a couple of weekend trips closer to home before planning a full week or more of vacation.

•Plan pet-friendly activities. If a pet cannot have some quality recreation time with its owner every day, the animal may be happier at home.

•Acclimate the animal to strangers, crowds and noise. Start by finding petfriendly activities near home. Visit an offleash dog park or take short hikes in nearby parks.

•Research. Look for petfriendly hotels before the trip. Many families may be surprised at the number of places where wellbehaved pets on leashes are welcome. Then look up activities for the pet near the hotel.

•Plan for all the small stops on the travel route. Allow extra time for plenty of bathroom and exercise breaks along the way. The family and the pet will enjoy the trip more when not in a rush.

•Use a trip planner to pick hotels for overnight stays to plan ahead for each night at a petfriendly property.

•Book accommodations well in advance at a pet-friendly hotel. Families do not want to get stranded with a pet and no place to stay.

•Ask for a first-floor room with a door leading directly to the outdoors. These rooms are easier for the family and quieter for other guests when taking the pet for late night or early morning walks.

•Bring the pet's regular food to avoid stomach upsets.

•Carry food and water in the car in order to feed the pet at his regular time.

•Pack some favorite pet toys to provide activity and comfort.

This story is provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.