The Companion Magazine Logo
Holiday 2024

Get your pet ready for a holiday adventure!

What to know before you travel with your pet
Picture of By Nationwide
By Nationwide

The holiday season is a paw-pular time to hit the road with your pets. Whether you’re visiting family or jetting to a snowy cabin for some rest and relaxation, traveling with your pets can be a fun-filled experience. Before you pack your bags, follow these tips to help prepare for your trip.

Do your research

Temperature can vary considerably from one location to location. Keep an eye on the weather report at your destination and keep pets indoors as much as possible on cold or windy days. Consider a sweater for dogs with short hair who still need daily walks.

Make a realistic travel plan

Like children, pets need regular pit stops on the road to stand up, walk around and get fresh air. When you’re planning your trip, make time in your itinerary for bathroom and water breaks, and opportunities to stretch your legs.

Traveling around your pet’s needs can be helpful for stopping to enjoy local shops, roadside attractions and scenery. If the weather allows it, skip the drive thru and stop for a picnic to get more from the drive-time aspect of your journey.

Know the rules

If you’re hitting the skies instead, get specifics on your airline's rules for flying with pets ahead of time. Leave for the airport extra-extra early to allow for unexpected surprises, and to make sure that your pet is comfortable.

Pet travel checklist

  • Sturdy leash and harness
  • Waste bags
  • ID tags
  • Treats
  • Pet food
  • Pet's favorite toys
  • Blanket
  • Pet safe restraint for car rides (i.e. crate, carrier, or car seat) for safety

Have some pet-friendly fun!

Traveling with pets doesn’t need to feel restrictive. Nowadays, pet acceptance at hotels, campgrounds and public spaces is at an all-time high. However, it does pay to be prepared—before you leave, download apps to find pet-friendly fun like local dog-hikes and pet-friendly restaurants.

Enjoy Nationwide Perks

The Nationwide Perks program introduces great deals and discounts to pamper your pets and more. Download our app to amplify your savings and enhance the wellbeing of yourself and those you love. Get the app
Add-a-pet

Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet. 

Enroll a new pet
Add-a-pet

Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet. 

Enroll a new pet
Add-a-pet

Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet. 

Enroll a new pet
Add-a-pet

Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet. 

Enroll a new pet
Add-a-pet

Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet. 

Enroll a new pet
Add-a-pet

Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet. 

Enroll a new pet
Add-a-pet

Take advantage of your multi-pet discount when you add a pet to your policy. When covering two or three pets, you can receive a 5% discount. When covering four or more pets, you'll save 10% on your base premium. Visit the member portal to add a pet. 

Enroll a new pet
Extra treats

Check out some of our other posts!

Delicious or dangerous?

The holidays have everyone munching, but what if your pet gets into something you're not ...

Holiday foods to avoid sharing with pets

As pet owners gather with family and friends this holiday season, Nationwide reminds them ...

Get your pet ready for a holiday adventure!

The holiday season is a paw-pular time to hit the road with your pets. Whether you’re ...

Connecting with your pet’s healthcare team

Whether it’s a scheduled checkup or something more urgent, remembering that you’re the ...