check the list and make sure you have everything
Thanks to the nice weather and longer days, summer is the great season to get in the vehicle and go on a road trip. However, if you’re planning a road trip with your dog, there are a few things you should keep in mind to ensure a fun dog-friendly vacation for both you and your four-legged companion.
Conduct your research
If you want to have a great road trip with your dog, the preparation begins long before you get behind the wheel.
Before taking your dog on a trip, plan ahead of time and discover lots of pet-friendly accommodations and activities along the way. It will guarantee that your dog has a good experience, but it will also offer you more time to enjoy the journey (since you won’t be spending hours on the side of the road frantically contacting hotels to locate a location that would take your dog).
“Plan and plan your vacation ahead of time, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute,” advises Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM of Chagrin Falls Veterinary Center and Pet Clinic in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. “Call your hotel and confirm that your pet is welcome. Investigate websites devoted to pet-friendly travel (like Trips With Pets). Look for vacation advertising in pet-related periodicals and newsletters, [or] visit…the Dog Lovers Companion, [which] provides a series of books with insider information on where pets are truly welcome.”
Before traveling with a dog, research as many pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, and activities as possible.
The more you know about your destination—and your dog-friendly vacation alternatives along the way—the more enjoyable your road trip will be. Also, search up a few veterinarian offices along your route so that if you need vet assistance while on the road, you’ll know who to call.
Prepare Your Dog
Once you’ve selected where you’re going on your road trip, the next step is to make sure your four-legged travel partner is prepared for the voyage, including adequate obedience training.
Prior to taking a trip, make sure your pet is used to his kennel so that he feels at ease. This will be excellent training for your pet, and it will make the overall traveling experience less stressful for your pet. The kennel should be large enough for your pet to easily stand up, sit down, turn around, and lie down.
While it’s critical to get your dog comfortable in the car, you also want to ensure that he’ll be fine stopping frequently along the way—even if those breaks are in congested areas.
“We did a lot of mat and relaxation training to help educate our Border Collie to lie comfortably beneath tables in complicated situations.” This makes it a lot easier to transport him anywhere!” Kayla Fratt is an associate certified dog behavior consultant at Journey Dog Training. She’s spent the last three months driving across the United States with her dog, Barley, and recording the voyage on ElPerroTambien. “The most important [secret to success on a road trip] is to make sure your dog is calm and courteous in various scenarios, whether it’s lengthy vehicle drives, rural hikes, or crowded coffee shops.”
Bring Only the Necessaries
When traveling with your dog, make sure to have all of the necessary dog supplies.
Bring your pet’s food, water, and any medical paperwork. Your pet’s leash and collar are a must, suitable ID tags (write your name, present location, phone number, and destination address on the ID tags), and a pet first aid kit.
It is ideal for bringing goodies and toys with you. Always. Consider carrying toys and snacks in the same way you would pack a leash and a poop bag—you only need them. Bring whatever makes your dog happy.
You should also take everything you need to make the car more dog-friendly for road trips, like a seat cover, dog seat belt, dog car barrier, and don’t forget some large towels.
These are must-haves should you pack before you take the road.
Food and water travel dishes for dogs that are collapsible
Canine food
Water
Current veterinary records (including general health and vaccination records)
First-aid kit for dogs
Collar or harness for your dog
Leash\sTreats
Toys
Poop sacks for dogs
Your dog’s crate or carrier
Dog identification tags with your contact information
Cover for a car seat
Car stumbling block
Maintain a Regular Exercise, Sleep, and Food Schedule
It’s easy to get sidetracked when on the road, but if you want your dog to have as much fun as you, try to stick to his typical routine.
“Do not overlook your dog’s exercise or allow him to snooze in the car.” “It’s easy to forget that your dog is probably extremely lively after a 14-hour travel,” adds Fratt. “On the other hand, it’s simple to trek for 10 hours, go to a bar, see friends, only to realize your dog has been running nonstop all day and is probably about to collapse.”
“As far as possible, adhere to your pet’s usual diet and avoid rich, fatty meals,” advises Dr. Osborne. If your dog does get into some not-so-healthy road trip food, don’t beat yourself up over it—allow him some leisure to recoup. “A basic rule of thumb is restricting food and water for around 4-6 hours; most dogs recover and are OK.”
Make sure your dog gets plenty of things to do while in the car for lengthy periods of time. He should also get lots of relaxation after lengthy periods of exercise and plenty of the nutritious dog food he’s accustomed to eating at home.
Keep Tummy Problems at Bay
Canine gastrointestinal troubles are one of the most prevalent worries on dog-friendly road trips.
Long vehicle rides might make your dog feel uneasy, so keep something on hand to comfort his tummy if you detect he isn’t feeling well.
“[Try] warm peppermint tea for an unsettled stomach.” “It tastes nice and calms troubled stomachs—for both you and your pet,” Dr. Osborne explains.
Contact your veterinarian first before using peppermint or other homeopathic solutions for motion sickness since too much peppermint might cause GI discomfort.
If the drive becomes too much for your apprehensive traveler, you may alternatively buckle him into his dog safety belt. “Experiment with a pet safety belt.” “They help decrease motion sickness,” Dr. Osborne explains.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
The surroundings are one of the most significant considerations while traveling with dogs. If you’re visiting a new place, you should be aware of any possible hazards to your pet’s safety.
“Remember that different sections of the nation are more vulnerable to certain illnesses and parasites.” “Because Colorado [where we are from] has relatively few biting insects, we weren’t used to medicating [our dog] Barley for fleas and ticks,” explains Fratt. “However, before traveling to Wisconsin in the early summer, we had to bring out the big guns for parasite control!”
Immunization is very important. Whatever your destination is, you should consult with your veterinarian ahead of time to discuss heartworm treatment for dogs, flea and tick medicine for dogs, and other precautions while traveling with dogs because various areas of the country are more vulnerable to specific diseases.
Traveling with dogs might be difficult at times, but it’s also an excellent opportunity to bond with your four-legged buddy while on a dog-friendly trip. So, take the required precautions to guarantee that you and your dog have a pleasant time—and then relax, hit the open road, and enjoy!