Costa Rica Pets – Top ten pet tips to ensure a healthy, happy & stress-free trip

1. Costa Rica Veterinarian Dr. Adrian Molina advises against the use of tranquilizers or sedatives. (These should only be used if they are specifically recommended by your own vet) since the effects on animals at high altitudes are unpredictable.
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2. It is better for pets to travel on an empty stomach so please do not feed your pet within 6 hours of departure.
3. You should give your pet water before getting on the plane so it does not dehydrate in flight. If you would like your pet to be fed or watered during the trip (normally only when the flight is very long), you should write clearly and put the exact details attached to it’s kennel, so that the airline personnel can take care of that for youy.
4. Puppies and kittens must be fed and watered every 12 hours, older animals should be fed at the most every 24 hours and given water every 12 hours so for most flights from the USA and Canada, there should be no problems.)
5. Make sure your pet has been exercised rigorously for at least an hour just before leaving for the airport.
6. Take an extra copy of your Health Certificates. (In fact you should have extra copies of all your personal documentation).
7. Make sure you have all the contact details of the vet that will receive you pet in Costa Rica easily available.
8. In our experience, Continental Airlines has been one of the most ‘pet-friendly’ airlines.
9. Please try to fly in the same plane as your pet. You will save a lot of headaches for both your pet and yourself.
10. Please remember that your pet can NOT travel if it is sick.

Follow the guidelines carefully and you will find the process to be fairly simple and hassle-free.

Dr. Adrian Molina Araya

Escazu, Costa Rica

Phone: (506) 2228-1909

Fax (506) 2289-9989

E-mail: dradrianmolina@hotmail.com (Checked on Fridays)

Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.