Bringing your dog on your
next road trip can certainly add to the fun, but you need to do some homework
first and make sure you’re prepared for traveling with your furry friend. After
all, cars weren’t necessarily designed with dogs in mind. However, by preparing
ahead of time, you’ll be able to make vacationing with your dog a fun and
relaxing time – for both you and your dog. Here are some pet travel tips to get
you started in the right direction.
Schedule a visit to the
vet beforehand to make sure your pet is healthy enough for travel. The last
thing you want on a vacation is a sick pet. In case of an unforeseen emergency
on the road, it would be good to obtain copies of your pet’s medical records
while you’re at the vet’s office. Also, if you’ll be traveling across state
lines, you may also need to obtain a recent health certificate with evidence of
rabies vaccination.
Attach a temporary ID tag
to your dog (in addition to their permanent tag), with the address of where
you’ll be staying and other helpful contact information. It’s also not a bad idea
to snap a high-quality, recent photo of your dog before the trip to show others
in case they do wander off.
Make sure you’ve arranged
for pet-friendly accommodations. Not every hotel allows pets, but a lot do;
and, you’ll want to make sure you have reservations at an establishment that’s
expecting your pet along with you. It’s probably not a bad idea to have some
backup hotels planned out ahead of time too, in case you arrive to encounter an
overbooked establishment.
Travel prepared with
plenty of your dog’s regular food. All the traveling can be stressful on your
pet, so you want as much as possible to stay the same – especially their food. Be
sure to pack: food & water bowls, waste bags, leash, collar, favorite toys,
and grooming supplies. Also, don’t forget the First Aid kit and their
medications (if any).
You’ll want to make sure
your dog is comfortably restrained during travel. If you have a hatchback,
wagon, or SUV, then you can create a travel area for your pet in the rear of
the vehicle. You should use a pet barrier or travel kennel to keep them from
wandering around the vehicle though – a dangerous situation for both you and
your dog. If you don’t have an open trunk area, then your dog will need to ride
on the seats in a pet car seat or safety harness. Whichever option you use, be
sure to make your dog’s comfort a priority. Bring their favorite blanket and
put some of their favorite toys around.
While travelling, make
frequent pit stops for potty breaks and to allow your dog to stretch their
legs. Keep them on a leash, so they don’t wander off before you even arrive at
your destination. While you’re stopped, make sure to keep your dog hydrated
with fresh water (or ice cubes – easier on pets with upset stomachs).
Limit their food intake on
the road – this includes allowing very few treats and absolutely NO people
food. A small portion of their regular food will tide them over until you
arrive at your destination. Dogs can get carsick too, and you don’t want to do
anything to cause an unhappy stomach.
Other things that should
go without saying- Don’t let them ride with their heads out the window.
Although this makes for cute pics, it’s unnecessarily dangerous. Never let them
ride unrestrained in the back of a pickup truck – illegal in some states, and
extremely dangerous everywhere. Don’t leave them unattended in a parked
vehicle, which leaves them vulnerable to rising temperatures and/or pet
thieves.
Following the above tips
will help to make vacationing with your dog a safer and more relaxing
experience for both of you. Wherever you’re headed with your dog, have fun and
safe travels!
