Getting ready to hit the road with your favorite furry companion? Make your road trip the best it can be with these helpful tips for traveling with your dog.
In this article, we’ll cover dog travel safety tips, how to prepare your dog for travels, and helpful things to bring on the road. This will make your pup more comfortable, and make you more confident about having a great trip together.
What is the Best Way to Travel with Your Dog in a Car?
If you’re planning a new adventure, and you’ve decided to bring your dog along, I’m sure you have a lot of questions, concerns, and unknowns.
Well… you can take a deep breath and relax because we’re here to guide you through it. Being prepared for your pup’s needs will help your travels go smoother, so you can focus on enjoying the journey together.
Prep Your Dog Before the Trip
If this is your first long trip with your dog, you might be a little anxious! So here’s a few things you can do to prepare both of you for the long haul ahead.
- Take several short trips with your dog. To get your dog accustomed to riding in the car, try short car rides first. You never know how your dog will react to riding in the car, especially for a long distance. So help them ease into it with short trips to fun destinations like a park, a hiking trail, or a swimming pond. This way, they’ll have a positive association with car rides.
- Feed your pet a light meal 3-4 hours before you leave. You don’t want your dog to have an accident or get sick in the car, and neither do they! You can help prevent this by feeding them 3-4 hours before you leave. And be sure to give them plenty of bathroom breaks before you head out, and throughout the journey. Take advantage of rest stops along the way to ensure you can avoid accidents.
- Find a pet-friendly stay. There are more and more pet-friendly hotels, Airbnb’s, and VRBO’s. But remember that dogs aren’t allowed everywhere. So be sure to do your research and pick a dog-friendly place to stay the night.
- Use a dog car seat cover. As much as we love our pups, they are furry, dirty, and sometimes drool. So if you’re hoping to keep your car seats clean, try a dog car seat cover! Some of these actually loop around the back and front seat headrests which may also help to secure your dog.
- Consider anti-motion sickness medication if your pup is prone to getting sick when travelling. Contact your vet for proper dosage before using any medication. But if your dog does struggle with motion sickness, this can help.
- Bring your dog’s supplies. Make sure to bring your dog’s usual food, treats, medications, dog bed, a few toys, bowls, leash, and harness.
Dog Travel Tips & Safety
To keep your dog safe and happy on your travels around the country, there are a few things you can do to help.
1. Talk to your vet. Contact your vet and make sure your dog is up-to-date on all their vaccinations. If your dog has any health issues—talk with your vet about whether or not it’s safe for them to travel.
2. Have up-to-date paperwork. In case your dog has any vet needs while you’re traveling, it’s good to have copies of their medical records. And make sure your dog’s license is up to date.
3. Dog ID tags. When traveling, it’s a good idea to get your dog an ID tag with their name, your name, and your contact information, in case they get lost. You could even look into using a GPS dog collar.
4. Keep your dog hydrated. Any time you’re traveling with your pooch, or just going on a day outing—make sure to bring a water bowl and plenty of cold drinking water.
5. Keep your dog secure when driving. You can use a dog crate, a dog harness connected to a dog seatbelt, or a dog car seat cover that loops around the back and front seat headrests.
6. Never leave your dog alone in a parked car. A parked car is always hotter inside the car than it is outside. When the temperature is 70° outside, your car can actually be 90° inside within the first 10 minutes. And it can reach up to 110° in less than an hour.
7. Keep your dog occupied. Most dogs will end up sleeping in the car. But you may want to bring a comfort toy for your pup. Or even a KONG filled with peanut butter to keep them occupied. If you freeze it the night before, the peanut butter will last even longer.
Make Your Destination Feel Like Home
Wherever you travel to, the best way to help your dog relax is by making them feel at home. Bring their dog bed, favorite treats, and any comfort items. And try sticking with their usual feeding and bathroom routines. The more they feel at home, the more they’ll feel at rest.
Enjoy the trip!!
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