Road Trippin with your dog – The ultimate guide
By Dan Shemetoff
Summertime….and the livin is easy…especially if you’re on the open road! There’s just no better feeling than having nowhere to be but right where you are, windows down, tunes cranking–amirite?! There’s only one thing that could make it better: having your dog with you. He might be a little smelly, have an unnatural obsession with road snacks, and doesn’t take his turn driving, but at least you never have to fight with him over the radio. All it takes is a little prep work and planning to make a trip both you and your little floofy head will remember for a lifetime, so here’s a rundown to get you started with road trips with dogs:
Do some research ahead of time and have a list of pet-friendly hotels ready.
Even if you don’t plan on stopping anywhere overnight, it’s always good to be prepared. You can do a simple search for lodging online; most travel sites have sections dedicated to pet-friendly travel. There’s also an app called Bring Fido that’ll give you the locations of not only hotels, but also parks and beaches that welcome pets. Pro tip: make sure you keep a hard copy list somewhere; don’t just rely on your phone. You may not have reception when you need it
Pack the poochy essentials
Along with the basic supplies, like plenty of food and water (don’t forget the bowls!), make sure your pet has a collar with current ID and working, up-to-date microchip. Also, add a few items to your first aid kit for him (like vet wrap that doesn’t stick to fur, a muzzle, a towel, and the numbers for your vet and Animal Poison Control). Also consider creating a pet travel emergency kit. If you get into an accident, this kit could be a literal life-saver for your little buddy. If you plan to go on an extended trip or to remote areas, think about taking a pet CPR and first-aid class before you leave. Here are some other items you should have on the checklist, depending on the weather, length of trip, terrain, how adventurous you’ll be, and your dog’s coat:
Leash/harness
Bed
Crate
Jacket/sweater
Smart toys or big chews
Poop bags
Vaccine/vet records
Cooling mat
Grooming tools
Figure out how to secure your buddy
It might seem easier or more fun to just let your dog freely roam around the car while you drive, but it’s pretty risky (insert sad trombone here). I know, I know…I’m a blast at parties. But truly, the safest way to travel with your dog in the car is to have him secured in a travel harness, carrier, or crate crash-tested and safety rated by the Center for Pet Safety. Investigate the different options and pick out what will work best for you because you don’t want to be on the side of the road after an accident wishing you had done it.
Think ahead when packing food
Fact: the most important part of any road trip is the food. Now, if you’re anything like me, you use traveling as an excuse to eat delicious junk food (mmmmm gas station nachos and a fountain beverage….). But when it comes to your dog, it’s better to keep him as close to his regular diet as possible. Pretty sure you’ve experienced what a sudden switch in food can do to him at home. Now imagine that happening in the car. Yeah, not so cool. If there’s a wet food version of his current diet, it would be a great option for feeding on road trips (especially when hiking or camping). Not only is it super yummy, but the water content can help keep your doggo well hydrated.
Note: If you want to get your dog onto a wet food that he normally doesn’t eat, start with a gradual transition a week or two before the trip or use a food that is in the same line as his dry food.
Another note: if you feed raw, you’ll need to bring a cooler and know where you can stop to refill the ice when needed. You’ll have to be extra vigilant about raw food safety while on the road.
Zoomies before vroomies
So before you set off on your grand adventure, let your pup burn off his energy. This could mean a really long play session in the yard, a big walk or run, or a trip to doggie daycare before you take off. Even though you might be a little stressed trying to get ready for the trip and don’t want another thing to do, you’ll probably be glad you did when you’re fighting traffic on your way out of town without hot dog breath in your face.
Test drive
Alright, I probably don’t have to say this, but I’m gonna anyway, cuz you know there’s always that one person out there: don’t make this trip the first time your dog has been in a car. If your doge has never been in the car before, you might want to go for a test ride a few times before the big day so you know if they will need to be confined for part or all of the trip (and if they even enjoy it to begin with). You might have to start small and build up their tolerance — but don’t get discouraged! It’s better to find out ahead of time that your pup is strangely terrified of passing cars or needs to protect you from light poles.
Take a look before you take the leash
No matter where you stop for the night, do a quick check of your lodgings before you let your pet loose. Make sure they can’t get under the hotel bed (you don’t want to have to be racing the checkout clock while trying to extract them), look out for open doors and gates, and scan for anything they might chew on or eat. Even though you might be tired and it’s tempting to just glance around, suck it, up buttercup, and walk the property and fully inspect everything. The last thing you want to do is fall into a glorious slumber only to wake up to the horror of a missing, injured, or sick puppers.
It goes by fast, so enjoy it
Always maintain your sense of chill and adventure. It might be a little challenging to travel together–especially at first–but don’t stress because it’ll just make your fuzz face stress out too. Go with the flow and take problems as they come. It’s not going to be perfect, but with practice, it’ll get easier and more fun. Traveling with your pet opens up the whole world to you both, and you’ll be so glad you did it.
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