As the holiday season brings travel, guests, and celebration, Cinema Veterinary Centre proudly cares for pets across the Santa Clarita Valley and nearby communities. These holiday pet travel and safety tips will help keep your dogs, cats, and exotic pets comfortable, calm, and protected all season long.
The holidays bring sparkle, excitement, and busy moments for all kinds of pets — furry, feathered, and scaled companions alike. But they can also bring holiday travel, homes full of guests, changes in routine, and unfamiliar environments that may feel overwhelming to pets. Whether you are driving across Southern California, flying out of LAX or Burbank, or welcoming visitors into your home, these tips will help your pets enjoy the season safely by your side.
1. Holiday Pet Travel Safety: Protecting Pets on the Road
If your holiday plans include traveling with your pets, it is important to keep their safety in mind. SoCal traffic, long freeway stretches, and unfamiliar stops can pose risks if you do not secure pets properly.
A sudden stop can seriously injure your pet or others if you do not properly restrain them in the car. The American Humane Society notes that a 10-pound dog in a 50-mph crash exerts 500 pounds of force, while an 80-pound dog in a 30-mph crash generates 2,400 pounds of force—the equivalent of being hit by a small motorcycle.
Keep pets safe during holiday road trips:
- Use a crash-tested carrier or seat-belt harness for dogs and cats.
- Secure carriers in the back seat with a seat belt.
- Stabilize habitats for birds, reptiles, and small mammals and protect them from temperature swings.
- Never allow pets to ride on your lap or hang their heads out the window.
- Keep pets leashed or contained before opening car doors — essential at rest stops, gas stations, and parks.
- Confirm your pet’s microchip and ID tags are up to date before traveling.
These holiday pet travel and safety tips can help protect your pets any time they’re in the car during the busy holiday season.
2. Flying with Pets: What Santa Clarita Valley Pet Owners Should Know
If your holiday plans include flying planning ahead makes travel safer and smoother for both you and your pet.
Start With a Pre-Flight Vet Check
Before you book your ticket:
- Confirm your pet is healthy enough to fly, especially brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds and exotic pets.
- Make sure vaccinations and travel-required health certificates are current.
- Ask about parasite prevention for your destination.
- Discuss species-specific needs — many birds, reptiles, and small mammals are highly sensitive to temperature changes and stress.
Know Your Airline’s Pet Policies
Airlines vary in:
- Accepted carrier sizes and materials
- Whether pets can fly in-cabin or must go in cargo
- Breed restrictions
- Seasonal temperature limits
- Documentation needed for exotic pets
Always check policies before booking, since many flights limit the number of pets onboard.
Choosing Between LAX and Burbank
Burbank Airport (BUR): Often Easier for Pets
- Smaller, quieter airport
- Shorter TSA lines and less noise
- A calmer environment for anxious pets
- Pet relief areas are outside the terminals. You must exit and re-enter security for potty breaks
LAX: More Amenities, But Higher Stress
- Longer, busier TSA lines
- Crowded, noisy terminals
- Pets must be removed from carriers during TSA screening
- Indoor pet relief stations exist, but their locations vary by terminal. Plan extra time to locate the closest one before boarding
TSA Procedures You Should Expect
At both LAX and BUR:
- Remove your pet from the carrier
- Carry or walk them through the metal detector
- TSA will x-ray the empty carrier
- TSA may swab your hands afterward (normal explosives trace test)
You can request a private screening room if your pet is nervous or at risk of escape.
Avoid tranquilizers unless your veterinarian specifically recommends them.
The AVMA recommends that you not give tranquilizers to your pet when traveling by air because the medication can increase the risk of heart or respiratory problems.
Prepare Your Pet’s Carrier
- Use an airline-approved, well-ventilated, escape-proof carrier
- Label with your name, phone, and destination
- Use absorbent bedding
- Freeze a small cup of water (melts slowly without spilling) in an attachable water dish.
- Add a familiar towel or blanket for your pet
Before You Board
- Offer water but avoid a full meal right before flying
- Give a potty break (remember: BUR relief areas require leaving security)
- Keep anxious pets away from loud boarding areas
- Reconfirm flight status — delays affect cargo temperature safety
During the Flight
- Keep in-cabin carriers under the seat in front of you
- Avoid opening the carrier mid-flight
- For exotics, ensure proper ventilation and stable temperatures
3. Winter Car Safety for Pets During Holiday Travel
Santa Clarita’s winter weather can be unpredictable. Cool mornings, sudden cold snaps, heavy rainstorms, and even flooding can create risks for pets — and parked cars can become dangerous year-round, even on cooler days.
On a sunny 60°F winter day, the inside of a parked car can reach 100–110°F within minutes.
Keep pets safe during holiday errands and travel:
- Never leave pets unattended in a vehicle
- Maintain steady airflow and avoid parking in direct sun
- Bring a blanket or towel for smaller or sensitive pets
- Protect birds, reptiles, and small mammals from sudden temperature changes
- During rainstorms or flooding, secure pets safely and avoid roadways that may wash out
Planning ahead helps protect pets from overheating, chills, and weather-related stress.
4. Keep These Foods Off Your Pet’s Holiday Menu
Holiday dishes may smell delicious, but many seasonal foods can be dangerous for pets.
Dangerous Foods for Dogs, Cats & Exotic Pets
- Chocolate
- Grapes and raisins
- Xylitol (in sugar-free baked goods, candies, gum, some peanut butters)
- Onions, garlic, leeks, chives
- Fatty leftovers (ham trimmings, turkey skin, heavy sauces)
- Bones that can splinter
- Raw or yeast dough
- High-fat non-yeast doughs
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
- Macadamia nuts
- Nutmeg and heavily spiced foods
- High-salt foods
Extra Cautions for Exotic Pets
Exotic pets — including birds, reptiles, rabbits, guinea pigs, and small mammals — should also avoid:
- Avocado
- Dairy products
- Seasoned or buttered vegetables
- Fruit pits and apple seeds
- High-fat foods
- Chocolate
Friendly Reminder for Guests
Remind guests not to feed your pets. Foods that look harmless may cause stomach upset, toxicity, or pancreatitis.
Safer Treat Options
- Plain cooked turkey or chicken with no seasoning and no bones
- Plain pumpkin purée for dogs and cats
- Vet-approved holiday treats
For exotic pets: Only offer fruits or vegetables known to be safe for their species.
5. Decorations, Plants & Party Hazards
Holiday Decorations
New décor is exciting for pets — sometimes too exciting.
Try these pet-friendly decorating ideas:
- Choose shatterproof or soft ornaments
- Keep cords and lights elevated or covered
- Use battery-operated candles
- Secure your Christmas tree
- Consider a tabletop tree for climbers or birds
Holiday Plants
Toxic plants:
- Poinsettias
- Holly
- Mistletoe
- Lilies (extremely toxic to cats and rabbits)
Safer alternatives:
- Christmas cactus
- Bromeliads
- Orchids
- Unsprayed roses
- Spider plants
Even “pet-safe” plants can cause stomach upset if chewed.
For exotic pets: Keep enclosures away from scented candles, loud rooms, or cold drafts.
A quiet room helps them feel secure.
6. Outdoor Walks & Adventures in Santa Clarita
Outdoor safety is an important part of holiday pet travel and safety, especially when cooler weather and busy seasonal activities can create unexpected hazards. Even without snow or ice, winter walks come with hazards. Outdoor safety is an important part of holiday pet travel and safety, especially in busy neighborhoods and colder weather.
Keep pets safe outdoors:
- Wipe paws after walks to remove dust, debris, prickly foxtails, and landscaping chemicals
- Use a light jacket for seniors or short-haired dogs
- Stay on well-lit paths
- Keep exotic pets indoors — small animals, birds, and reptiles are sensitive to temperature changes
Wishing You and Your Pets a Safe, Joyful Holiday Season
The greatest gift you can give your pets is your attention to their comfort and safety. Whether you are traveling, hosting guests, or enjoying peaceful moments at home, these holiday pet travel and safety tips will help your dogs, cats, and exotic pets enjoy a healthy, happy season. With the right holiday pet travel and safety tips in mind, your pets can enjoy a calm, comfortable season.
Schedule Your Holiday Wellness Visit
Cinema Veterinary Centre proudly cares for pets throughout Santa Clarita Valley and nearby communities. Our team is here to support your pets through every holiday adventure — and every cozy moment at home.
Cinema Veterinary Centre
23460 Cinema Drive
Santa Clarita, CA
(661) 253-9300