With beautiful weather and longer days, summer is the perfect time to jump in the car and go on a road trip. But if you’re going to embark on a dog-friendly road trip, there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure a great dog-friendly vacation for both you and your four-legged friend.
do your research
If you want to go on successful road trips with dogs, the work begins long before you get behind the wheel.
Before traveling with dogs, be sure to research your route and find plenty of pet-friendly accommodations and activities along the way. Not only will you ensure your pup has a great time, but it will also give you more time to enjoy the ride (as you won’t be spending hours on the side of the road frantically calling hotels trying to find a place that suits your needs). needs). accept your dog).
“Plan and prepare for your trip ahead of time so you don’t find yourself in a last-minute frenzy,” says Dr. Carol Osborne, DVM of Chagrin Falls Veterinary Center and Pet Clinic in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. “Call your hotel and [make] Sure your pet is welcome. Check out websites dedicated to traveling with pets (such as Trips With Pets). Look for vacation ads in pet-related magazines and newsletters. [or check out]…the companion of dog lovers, [which] offers a series of books with inside information on where pets are truly welcome.”
Find as many pet-friendly accommodations, restaurants, and attractions as you can before traveling with a dog.
The more you know about where you’re headed, and your dog-friendly vacation options along the way, the better your road trip will be. Also, be sure to look for a few vet offices along your route, that way if you need vet support along the way, you’ll know who to call.
prepare your dog
Once you’ve decided where you’re headed on your road trip, the next step is to make sure your four-legged travel companion is ready for the ride—and that means proper training.
“Train your pet to travel in his crate so that he feels comfortable. This will be invaluable training and will make the entire travel experience less stressful for your pet, whether you’re traveling across the country or across town,” says Dr. Osborne. “The size of the cage should be large enough for your pet to stand, sit, turn around and lie down comfortably.”
While it’s important that your dog is comfortable in the car, you also want to make sure he’s comfortable making lots of stops along the way, even if those stops are in crowded settings.
“We work on a lot of mat and relaxation training to help teach our Border Collie to lie quietly under tables in chaotic environments. This made it so much easier to take with you everywhere!” says Kayla Fratt, Associate Certified Dog Behavior Consultant at Journey Dog Training. She has spent the last three months on a road trip across the US with her dog, Barley, documenting the trip on ElPerroTambien. “The biggest [key to success on a road trip] It’s making sure your dog is calm and polite in many situations, whether it’s long car rides, remote trails, or bustling coffee shops.”
pack the essentials
When traveling with your pup, it’s important to pack all the essential dog supplies.
“Bring your pet’s food, water, and vet records. It’s also a good idea to remember your leash and collar, along with the proper identification tags (put your name, current address, and phone number). [number] as well as the destination address on the identification tags) and a pet first aid kit,” says Dr. Osborne.
“As a professional dog trainer by profession, I will always say this: have treats and toys with you. Always. Start thinking about bringing toys and treats like bringing a leash and poop bag, you just need them. Bring whatever makes your dog happy, and that will vary from dog to dog,” says Fratt.
You’ll also want to pack anything you need to make the car better equipped for road trips with dogs (such as a car seat cover, dog seat belt, or dog car barrier).
So what essentials should you make sure to pack before you hit the road?
- Collapsible Dog Travel Bowls for Food and Water
- Dog food
- Water
- Current veterinary records (including general health and vaccination records)
- first aid kit for dogs
- Dog collar or harness
- Belt
- Candies
- Toys
- dog poop bags
- Cage or carrier for your dog
- Dog tags with your contact information
- car seat cover
- car barrier
Follow a normal schedule of exercise, sleep, and eating
When you’re on a road trip, it’s easy to get caught up in the day’s activities, but if you want your dog to have as much fun as you do, it’s important to try to maintain his normal routine.
“Don’t neglect your dog’s exercise or sleep on the road. It’s easy to drive for 14 hours and forget that your dog is probably pretty energetic after that,” says Fratt. “On the other hand, it’s also easy to walk for 10 hours and then go to a bar and then visit friends and then realize that his dog has been around all day and is probably about to collapse.”
“Try to stick to your pet’s routine diet as much as possible and avoid high-fat foods,” says Dr. Osborne. If his pup eats some travel snacks that aren’t so good for him, don’t beat yourself up, just give him some downtime to recover. “If indigestion occurs, a general rule of thumb is to refrain from eating and drinking for about 4 to 6 hours; most pets recover and are doing well.”
It’s important to make sure your pup gets plenty of exercise for long periods of time in the car. He should also get plenty of rest after long periods of activity, and plenty of nutritious dog food that he’s used to enjoying at home.
Keep tummy troubles at bay
Canine tummy troubles tend to be one of the most common concerns on road trips with dogs.
Long car rides can make your dog a little queasy, so you’ll want to keep something on hand to settle his stomach if you notice he’s not feeling well. Probiotics formulated for anxiety and upset stomach are a good idea.
You can also strap your eager traveler into your dog’s seatbelt if the driving becomes too much for him. “Try a pet seat belt. They help reduce motion sickness,” says Dr. Osborne.
Be aware of your surroundings
One of the most important things to consider when traveling with dogs is their surroundings. If you are traveling to a new area, you should be aware of the potential risks to your pet’s safety.
“Keep in mind that different parts of the country are at higher risk of contracting different diseases and parasites. for example red [where we are from] it has very few biting insects so we weren’t used to medicating [our dog] Barley for fleas and ticks,” says Fratt. “However, we had to break out the big guns for parasite control before we went to Wisconsin in early summer.”
No matter where you’re traveling, you’ll want to talk to your vet ahead of time to discuss heartworm medications for dogs, flea and tick medications for dogs, and other precautions to take while traveling with dogs. This is especially important in terms of vaccinations, as certain parts of the country are more susceptible to certain diseases.
Traveling with dogs can be challenging at times, but it’s also a great opportunity for you to join your four-legged friend on a dog-friendly vacation. So take the necessary steps to make sure you and your pup have a good time, and then kick back, hit the road, and enjoy!
