Travel with your pet in the Smoky Mountains.

Traveling with your pet has become more popular as more and more pet owners are treating pets as members of the family. Since the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee are one of the hottest tourist destinations, traveling with Fido, Fluffy or Polly has become popular as well. To make your trip more enjoyable as well as keeping your pet comfortable and safe you should follow a few common sense guidelines when traveling with your pet.

First. Make sure that where you are traveling you can bring your pet along.Pet friendly accommodations generally limit the size of your pet to 30 lbs or less. Of course if you have a service animal such as a guide dog this rule does not apply.

Never try to sneak a pet into a cabin or chalet that is not pet friendly or try to avoid a pet cleaning fee by neglecting to tell the rental company you have a pet. A good cabin company such as American Mountain Rentals thoroughly cleans ever cabin upon check out and they will know you have a pet.

Second. If you do not have a well trained pet or one in good health it is unfair to the pet, yourself and wherever you stay to bring them along. Any damage your pets creates is your responsibility and when too many pets do damage a cabin owner may chose to no longer allow pets in their accommodations.

Third. Bring along all the supplies, food and medicine your pet may need. Animals need to have a crate or carrier if you are staying in a rental unit and it is not safe if traveling to let your animal roam around lose in the car. Most rental units will require you crate your animal if you leave your animal alone. You may be able to use a playpen with smaller dogs and I have found that a popup tent worked great with my cat.

Emergency pet supplies can be found in most supermarkets and of course Wal-Mart. If your pets are on a special diet and you run short of food you may have to shop at one of the local pet stores in the Tennessee Smokies.

If your pet requires prescription medicine, be sure to bring more than enough along as well as your vets contact information. There are plenty of vets in the TN Smoky Mountains and they may want to speak to your regular vet at home.

Bring along supplies to clean up after any accidents that can happen on the road or where you are staying. Remember you are you pets ambassador! Do not leave droppings from your pet outside your rental cabin and for cat owners there are some real convenient disposable cat litter pans.

Make sure your pet has a tag as well as a leash. Obviously this does not apply to birds!

Fourth. Before the trip, get your pet acclimated to traveling on short little runs around the neighborhood and please never leave a dog or cat in a locked car!

Lastly. On the day before the trip feed them lightly. Even if the trip is long it is best not to feed them while driving great lengths as it commonly leads to stomach distress. Some hydration during the drive is fine but don't over due it!

When you arrive at your pet friendly cabin in the Smokies and see your little friend playing with his favorite toy with a fire burning in the fireplace and your favorite movie playing on the TV, your cabin or chalet will feel like home with your pet in the Smokies.

Check out the best pet friendly cabins and chalets in the Smoky Mountains. All of these units are close to the national park, Dollywood and all of the attractions the Smokies are famous for!