PetSugar

Drink Up: Bring Your Own Water Along For the Ride

PetSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 14:00:26 -0700

When traveling with a pooch - bring water. Not everyone normally treats a pet to purified beverages, but you can reuse old water bottles by filling with your home's tap water before you go. That way your pooch willl have the same drinking water he's used to, an especially helpful step for sensitive tummies.

As a bonus before long car rides, I also freeze a bottle and place it near North so he can lick the condensation while in his carrier - it adds baby sips without increasing the necessary potty breaks along the way. No matter if you normally reuse old plastic takeout containers, tote his regular serving pieces, or make do with whatever's handy to offer up that roadside drink, see a couple cute portable bowls to add to his travel kit in the widget below.

Let Dogs Take a Backseat

PetSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 17:00:27 -0700

Road trip! If you're hitting the mean streets for a trip this (long) weekend, don't forget a safe spot for your pet. As cute as it is to have him ride shotgun, or in your lap, I don't recommend it.
If the airbags deploy, the force can kill or seriously hurt a pooch in a minor accident that would have barely roughed him up otherwise. While it's possible to disable passenger side bags on many cars, I put North's fab carseat in the back diagonally from the driver's seat. This means I can keep an eye on him from the rearview mirror and glance back at him more easily at red lights than if he was directly behind me. Happy trails to you, too!

Source: Flickr User ByJane

How Often Do Your Pets Take Car Trips?

PetSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 15:00:40 -0700

Well they're usually not behind the wheel - don't worry, this car is parked - but how often do your pets travel via car?

Take It "To-Go" With Ikea!

PetSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 08:45:48 -0700

Let's set the scene: You're planning a weekend getaway, but you want to travel light. Not so light as to leave your precious Fido home, but light enough that you're not toting his fragile bowls, fluffy bed . . . or the kitchen sink. While there are plenty of pricey portable bowls for this purpose, check out one complete package from Ikea.

The Bästis 4-piece travel kit for dogs ($20) comes with two bowls - while I wouldn't recommend doing this for water, you can cinch and seal the food bowl for later or fold up both for your pocket. There's also a storage bag - I smell extra food or a few fave toys - and a bed base. You can combine that with a towel or folded blanket, if you don't want to lug the real thing, or do double-duty using the base as a placemat instead (to protect the hotel room's carpet from his sloshy sipping). No matter which way you spin it and how far your journey is, this twenty bucks goes a long way.

The Scoop: Woman Pays $32,000 to Fly With Her Dog

PetSugar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:45:54 -0700

Nope, I didn't tack on some extra zeros - one woman paid $32 grand to fly her beloved Boxer (not shown here) in the cabin with her, business class no less. We know that air fees can add up, but an Israeli woman identified as Rivkah paid for the whole compartment to carry "Orchuk," his vet, and herself from Paris to Tel Aviv on Airline El Al. While she wouldn't discuss the price, Rivkah said:

He is my child, not a dog. And he deserves the best.

Do you think this news is plain nuts or, if you had the cash and the pull, would you make it happen, too?

Fur Flyin' High: Follow This Timeline For Air Travel With Pets

PetSugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 08:30:56 -0700

No matter what part of the plane your pet will travel in, check out my seven-step timeline to fly the friendly skies. Even if you're not heading out in a big ol' jet airliner, several of these are good tips to remember when traveling by car - follow along when you start this slideshow!

View Slideshow ›

Pay As You Go: Check Out My Handy Chart of Airlines' Pet Fees

PetSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 14:40:10 -0700

For most of us - the most that wouldn't have hundreds of dollars to spare, won't take multiple trips a season or don't own a private jet - the price of air travel with pets can prohibit inclusion of furry friends in all but the most important of situations (like relocation). If you're wondering how much it will cost to include a pet on your next trip, I've gathered up the prices for the major airlines. How much will you pay as you go? Find out the one-way rates in the chart below.

Airline	In-Cabin	Checked Baggage	As Cargo
AirTran	$69	n/a	n/a
Alaska	$100	$100	n/a
American	$100	$150	n/a
Continental	$125	n/a	800-575-3335
Delta	$100	$175	$179–$689
Frontier	n/a	$100–$200	n/a
JetBlue	$100	n/a	n/a

See the rest of the chart when you read more.

Airline	In-Cabin	Checked Baggage	As Cargo
Midwest	$125	$150	n/a
Southwest	$75	n/a	n/a
Spirit	$100	n/a	n/a
United	$125–$175	$175–$500	800-822-2746
US Airways	$100	800-428-2966	n/a
Virgin America	$100	n/a	n/a

(If a phone number is listed, you'll need to call a representative who can give you the current rates for your pet's type, weight, kennel size, and destination.)

How Have Your Furry Friends Flown the Friendly Skies?

PetSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 15:30:15 -0700

One if by land, two if by sea, one place for pup, a different for me? Taking a plane ride can be difficult for pets - especially those nonfrequent fliers and ones that can't ride at your feet. To kick off our flying high week, let's dish on your pampered pals: in which part of the aircraft do they travel?

4 Things I Love About PetAirways

PetSugar — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:20:10 -0700

Other than being the first fleet of planes dedicated solely to pawsengers, there are more things that set PetAirways apart from other air travel options! Even though it's too pricey for every weekend away, check out some special features that put this flight above the rest.

View Slideshow ›

Pet Airways Makes First Flights Today: Are You Buying In?

PetSugar — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 13:25:10 -0700

No people allowed, people. That's the policy on the Pet Airways fleet offering main cabin travel for pampered pals only. Although it began taking reservations when it launched with an introductory one-way fare of $150, prices now range from $250–$300 and take off from regional airports close to five US cities - New York, Washington, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles - and seats are selling fast. While times are limited, and cross country trips take about 24 hours with an overnight stay-and-play, there are plans to expand to 25 cities in the next three years.

I can understand trepidation about flying a pup as cargo or checked baggage, but this airline flies up to 50 pets in a cabin specially fitted with crates, making a nice alternative for people with larger pets, provided your departure and arrival locations fit with their offerings. What's your take?

Source: Pet Airways