Road Trip With Dogs Planner – Going on a family trip with your furry friend can add adventure — and challenge. Your pet is not just another passenger. They are an integral part of the crew, requiring special consideration to ensure that the trip is enjoyable for all.
Before hitting the open road, your vehicle needs to be as prepared as your pet for the long haul. A detailed vehicle inspection is required – think of it as a pre-flight inspection but for a family car.
Road Trip With Dogs Planner
Also, equip your vehicle with a pet restraint or safety carrier to keep your companion safe and prevent distractions while driving – as distractions can cause accidents. The last thing you want when driving through Mississippi or Virginia, for example, is to be involved in a traffic accident that results in both injuries and car accidents. So, it’s important to stay safe when traveling on a family road trip – or with any other pet.
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Preparing a dog for car travel should begin in its puppy years. After that, your dog will accept driving as a normal part of his life. Calm and accustomed to the situation, most will sleep soundly on the way. Remember that a stressed dog barks, which distracts the handler. If you want to change this particular behavior in your dog, click here for human bark collars.
Imagine packing your suitcase and forgetting the essentials. No need to go, right? The same is true when you consider what your pet needs on the road. So, make sure you pack:
After checking these items, you will avoid the difficulties of finding forgotten needs. Additionally, familiar objects can help reduce stress for pets, making them feel at home even when they are miles away.
Once the journey begins, keeping your pets safe is non-negotiable. Secure your pet in the back seat. Front seat airbags can be dangerous for them, even in a carrier. A well-ventilated area and regular breaks every few hours will help your pet avoid restlessness and discomfort.
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Importantly, never leave your pet alone in a parked car, especially on hot days – temperatures can rise quickly and have serious consequences.
Getting the right safety equipment before going on a road trip requires some advance preparation. If you decide to buy security equipment online, remember that it takes several days for the ordered equipment to arrive at your home, so plan accordingly.
You will definitely need a portable water bowl with a bottle and food so your dog can drink/eat at the bus stop. You have several options to choose how you will transport your animal:
Small dogs can be carried in a carrier or dog harness, secured with a leash or car seat belt. Small dog breeds or puppies are usually very active. Keeping them in a carrier or harness will be safer because you can keep them from moving and calm their emotions. Also, thanks to this solution, your dog will not be able to stick his head out the window or distract you while driving.
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The walls, roof, and floor of a dog crate are made of metal grates, often made of aluminum. They are perfect for transporting large dogs like German Shepherds, but they will also work well for transporting medium breeds like Beagles or Cocker Spaniels.
You can put the cage in the back seat or trunk of the car and secure it properly, for example with a seat belt. This way it cannot move when cornering or braking, which can be dangerous not only for the dog but also for all the passengers in the vehicle.
This is a solution for large dogs that tolerate car rides well – if your pet is calm and doesn’t get nervous while driving, you can do it. The mat is attached to the headrest of the front seat and the dog can sleep freely on the entire back seat. In addition, you can put the same in the trunk.
Consistency can be a source of comfort, especially for pets. So, aim to mimic your pet’s feeding and walking schedule as closely as possible when traveling. This prediction can help reduce their stress.
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Schedule regular breaks — every two to three hours — that benefit not only your pet, but all passengers. Use this tense:
These breaks in journeys are necessary to preserve all, man and beast. This is a great opportunity to take some memorable photos of your trip together.
Be sure to see a doctor before traveling. Take care of required vaccinations and deworming. The vet will also assess whether your dog’s health allows for long car journeys. If you are going abroad, do not forget to update the data in the dog’s passport and check all the requirements for importing the animal into the country.
Some dogs don’t like traveling by car and can show signs of motion sickness – they shake, get restless and have trouble breathing. Additionally, they may feel sick and have a reflex. Unfortunately, sudden braking or driving on uneven surfaces can make symptoms worse.
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Never give your dog medications that are intended for people with spontaneous motion sickness. Consult a veterinarian about any medications or dietary supplements you wish to give your pet. Please remember that what works for humans may be toxic for animals.
If you’re going on a road trip lasting several hours, don’t forget the rest of the stops. They are very important for drivers and passengers, but also for our furry friends. Some dogs (eg puppies and dogs with joint problems) may need to get out of the car, although breaks should be taken every 2 hours.
Make sure your dog can regularly meet his physical needs, take short walks, rest, explore new smells and drink water. Never let your dog off the leash during breaks. This can end tragically, because if the dog gets scared, it can run away to an unknown area where you will have trouble finding it.
Even with careful planning, the road can throw curveballs at you. Here’s how to deal with unexpected challenges:
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If you have hiccups, remember that flexibility is key. And, who knows, maybe an unexpected detour will lead to a hidden gem of a dog park or an impromptu adventure.
Choosing the right places to rest or spend the night requires some advance research. But it’s worth it. Find destinations that not only allow, but welcome pets:
These details are important. They ensure that on arrival, queues are wagging and excitement is high, there are no nasty surprises to spoil the mood of the journey.
Before you go into full relaxation mode when you get home from your road trip, it’s wise to check on your pets. Assess them for any bumps or bugs they picked up along the way – prevention is easier than cure.
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Give them time to adjust to their home environment, especially after a long stay. And watch for any changes in behavior that could indicate discomfort or illness after the trip. If something seems wrong, don’t hesitate to contact your doctor.
With these final thoughtful steps, you ensure your pet is recovering from the road trip while you prepare for the trip ahead.
Traveling with your dog can be stressful only if you are not properly prepared for it. If you do a little research on pet transportation tips and state requirements, you should avoid any unpleasant experiences along the way. Use these travel guides with pets and have a great and safe trip.
Both you and your dog can enjoy traveling together. Exploring new places is great for building strong bonds. To build a relationship based on trust, make sure your dog is not afraid to travel in the car. You can ensure this by having a smooth, stable ride, which is best for your dog. Take frequent breaks and keep your dog safe with proper transportation. I have never owned a dog and I have never traveled with dogs. But my cousin moved from New York to Florida with her dog. So of course, I wanted to ask for some tips for road trips with dogs.
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Just because I didn’t take the dog on a road trip doesn’t mean you won’t. So my cousin, who is a vet, and I collaborated on this post to give you top tips for road trips with dogs.
If you have any other suggestions, be sure to leave them in the comments and we’ll add them to this list.
And, if you’re planning a trip with the cats, we’ve got you covered, too. Check out our post on tips for road trips with cats.
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If your road trip ends at Disney, check out our post on what to do.
Your Guide To A Stress Free Dog Friendly Road Trip
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