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The complexity of traveling with pets is often a major headache for their owners. Many brands are looking to ease pain points, but a lot of work still needs to be done, especially by airlines.
If you've noticed dogs lounging in the lobby of your hotel, or sitting quietly on the ground in front of your seatmate on a flight, you're not alone.
While the exact size of the pet travel market is unknown, the proliferation of pet-friendly hotels and more accommodating airline policies shows the power of this group of consumers.
Between 37 and 47 percent of Americans own a dog, according to the American Pet Product Association, and between 30 and 37 percent own a cat.
A recent survey of more than 1,100 travelers conducted by TripAdvisor found that 53 percent of respondents travel with their pets, and 52 percent will only stay at pet-friendly properties.
The report also found that 35 percent of pet owners take shorter vacations than they otherwise would, and that 25 percent take fewer vacations overall because of their pets.
And 20 percent of those with pets have smuggled them into a hotel room.
Why? Traveling with a pet remains a hassle, despite moving closer to the mainstream in recent years. Increased demand from consumers is complicated by the increasing complexity of navigating rules and regulations for air travel, according to experts.
"Sometimes, even with the best of planning it still doesn't go as planned; there are weather issues or flight cancellations, or other unknown factors," said Jeni Redmond, board member of the International P
