Travel Tips For Vacationing With Your Dog

One of the best things about going on a road trip rather than air travel is that you can bring along your furry best friend! However, before throwing your dog in the car and let them savor the open road with their head hanging out the window, there are certain things to consider to make your car trip comfortable and safe for everyone. 

Let’s take a look!

Preparing to Get On The Road 

Before hitting the road, your dog must have an updated microchip and IDs on their collar. While we like to assume that an incident is unlikely to occur on a trip, you never know. A scary noise or car accident could leave your dog lost and scared in an unknown place. Having a way to identify them gives you peace of mind for a smoother, stress-free vacation. 

The next step is to make sure you have everything that ensures your pet’s safety and comfort on your road trip. A good packing list includes:

• Food and plenty of water (plus bowls!)
• Crate and/or comfy bed
• Poop bags
• Medicine your dog might take
• Collar/Harness and leash
• Toys
• Towels/pet wipes
• Grooming supplies
• Travel snacks
• Vaccination records
• First Aid Kit

Finally, where are you going? Is it going to be colder or warmer than they are used to? Will they need a coat for snowy conditions or a life jacket for swimming? Does your dog need any medications or vaccines for this area? For example, there is no heartworm in the area where I live, but if we travel to an area where it is prevalent, I give my dogs heartworm prevention before leaving.

Your Big Vacation 

Now that you are all packed for your adventure with your dog, let’s look at some tips for a successful adventure. 

Book Pet-friendly Accommodations

There are many options for pet-friendly hotels and nightly rentals, so ensure your stays are in these dog-friendly establishments. Keep in mind that some places might have a pet fee, weight limit, or limit to how many pets you can have. 

Regardless of their pet policy, I usually throw a sheet over the bed or furniture to keep it as clean as possible for the convenience of the cleaners!

Make Sure Your Dog is Safe in the Car 

Car-related injuries for people are a major issue, and severe injuries are often preventable with a seatbelt. Putting on your seatbelt is a deep-seated habit for many people. So why don’t we require the same conditions for our dogs in the car? When there is a car accident with dogs loose in the car, they can suffer severe injuries by being thrown from the car, running away, or getting hit by another car. 

To help avoid injury during the unlikely event of a car accident on a road trip, you can restrain your dog with a canine seatbelt or a barrier. Personally, I crate my dogs in the car. These double as a safe place if I need to leave my dogs in the hotel room.

Never Leave Your Dog in the Hot Car

While it is never a good idea to leave your dog in the car by themselves, leaving them in the car during a heatwave can be downright dangerous. According to the Humane Society of the United States, a car sitting in the sun in 72-degree weather can heat up to 116 F inside within the hour. Even rolling down the windows does not have much effect on the heat inside of the car.  If left in a hot car, dogs can overheat, suffering organ failure or even death. 

Having pet-friendly accommodations will help reduce the risk by giving your dog a safe place when they cannot be with you. Just make sure they allow pets unsupervised in the room. Otherwise, if you are expecting a heatwave, it might be best to leave your furry friend at home! 

Walking and Hydration Breaks

While spending the day driving, it’s important to give yourself and your dog lots of breaks to use the bathroom, have a sip of water, and move around. A long car ride can be stressful for your dog, even if they are seasoned travelers. Taking a moment to walk for 20 minutes or so gives them a chance to release pent-up energy and to use the bathroom. When I am traveling with my dog, I find that gas stops are a great opportunity to allow my dogs to stretch their legs.

Allow them a quick drink of water before continuing their drive so they stay hydrated and cool down, especially on those hotter travel days.  

Keeping Calm

Some dogs might need more than the occasional de-stresser walk. Depending on their personality, road trips could cause a lot of anxiety. Luckily, there are many calming aids for your dog to explore. CBD calming treats are becoming very popular for pet parents with stressed pups. Additionally, owners should consult with their veterinarian in extreme cases. They can prescribe anti-anxiety medication that will make car trips much more manageable for both owners and their pups!   

My personal favorite is frozen yogurt or wet dog food stuffed in a dog toy like a Kong. This enriching activity is great for traveling dogs in crates. Plus licking is a self-soothing behavior, helping a stressed dog calm themselves down without the aid of supplements or medication. 

Licking can also help a car-sick dog as well. But do not hesitate to ask your vet to prescribe anti-nausea medicine if their car-sickness is extreme! 

Have Fun!

Road trips are about making memories with your furry best friend! So make sure you have fun on your journey, taking time to go for walks, find dog-friendly restaurants, and enjoy the sunset. 

There is a lot of prep that goes into a road trip with your dog. Make sure you have the right accommodations, pack everything your dog needs, plus items for an emergency, and ensure their safety in the car. However, it is all worth it once you begin your adventures on the open road. We wish everyone safe and fun travels!