When pet owners travel, it is natural for them to want their pets to come along. When driving, this is as simple as packing the pet in the car, feeding it and letting it use the bathroom during the trip. When it comes to flying, the risks and preparation are much different.

1. Whether your pet is flying in the cargo hold or in the cabin, which airline you choose is very important. Some airlines are pet friendly, while others treat your pets as little more than luggage. Do your research. Seek out animal travel reviews regarding your airlines. Your pet will need to be up to date on its vaccines no matter which airline you take.

2. Packing your pet is the next step to safe and comfortable travel for your pet. Consider the following when arranging your pet’s accommodations — temperature, length of flight, layovers and whether the pet will be on the tarmac for an extended period.

3. Choose a carrier that gives your animal plenty of room. Your veterinarian can suggest a carrier size for your pet. For your pet’s comfort, make sure the carrier contains a toy from home. The object and its smell may help alleviate stress.

4. Food and water are not allowed on most airlines, so feed the animal a few hours before the flight and let it have time to use the bathroom. Do give it water as much as it wants, right up until boarding. Leave a dish inside the carrier in case there is an unexpected delay. The airline should feed your pet. Be sure to ask about this before booking.

5. If it is going to be cold, put materials in the carrier that the animal can burrow into, such as blankets. If it is cold at the layover and hot at the destination, that is okay. They can always come out of the blanket. Just be sure that your pet is the first thing you get upon arrival.

6. Be sure to put your pet’s name on the carrier, as well as your own, even if it is flying in cabin. Do not check the carrier more than two hours before your flight.

Once you know all of the regulations regarding your pet’s travel, everything from there is arranging for its comfort. After the flight, spend a lot of time with your pet, comforting it and exercising it. Air travel is very stressful for animals.

Emily is a proud “mother” of two dogs who love to travel everywhere with her. She is also a contributing writer for policy expert home insurance.

Another great travel tour is the Scenic Granada Tour. Located in Honduras and Nicaragua—as part of Central America, you can visit such sites as the Mayan site of Copan and its remarkable stone sculptures and Roatan Island, where you can snorkel, enjoy the colonial architecture in Leon and other fantastic sites.

Tour Highlights

An example of a tour highlight of the Scenic Granada Tour is Antigua—a beautiful, colonial town that is surrounded by huge volcanoes. Another site you won’t want to miss is Copan. This is in a southern location of the Maya sites where you can discover fantastic pyramids, sculpture and hieroglyphics. Then, you can also visit Granada. This is a lovely colonial town where you can relax for awhile and let the business of life go by. During the Scenic Granada Tour you can also visit Ometepe Island. This is an intriguing island; an island you may want to explore. Here you will find many sites to see. In addition, check out San Jose. This is Costa Rica’s cultural capital and here you will find many cafes, restaurants, theatres and museums that you will want to explore.

The food of Granada is various and delicious. You will find in this area wonderfully prepared vegetables, specially made stews, soups and pottages. In addition, you will find fresh seafood and delicious hams and sausages—meats that are cured in Granada’s high Sierra Nevada mountains and wonderful spices that add zest to any menu—such spices as coriander, cumin and saffron.

Don’t Miss EL Zanion De Granado

In addition, you may also want to check out El Zanjon De Granado. This is an archeology/museum that more than a museum. During this tour you will travel through a museum that has been turned into a tenement building and as you walk along you will see underground tunnels, gaze at beautiful adobe walls and glass kitchen tiles, view an open water cistern, brick arches and much more. You will get a wonderful and eye-catching view of what it was like centuries ago.