The growing trend of traveling with pets raises welfare questions about transport stress, unfamiliar environments, and the appropriateness of travel for different animals.
Pet travel welfare depends heavily on species, individual temperament, travel mode, and preparation. Air travel in cargo holds causes documented welfare harm including temperature stress, noise exposure, and anxiety - risks that led several airlines to restrict or ban cargo pet transport. Car travel for dogs and cats can be welfare-neutral to positive with appropriate preparation, secure containment, and regular stops. Exotic pets including reptiles, birds, and small mammals often experience significant welfare harm from travel that disrupts their environmental control requirements. The welfare of pets should be the primary criterion for travel decisions, not owner convenience.