traveling with a pet
Enthusiast

Traveling With a Pet: 6 Tips to a Safe Car Ride

If your dog is young and vibrant, then they may love traveling with you on vacation, when visiting family, etc. In other instances, you may be forced to bring your pet with you on a long ride, such as when moving or to escape bad incoming weather in your area. Dogs are not always fond of long car rides, but the good news is there are precautions you can take to help ensure your dog is comfortable and safe during the ride. While also minimizing any incurred stress when traveling with a pet. 

Safety recommendations by the American Kennel Club (AKC)

The American Kennel Club (AKC) recommends safety tips for dog owners to follow when traveling with their dog (as well as other pets) common pets. These tips include taking your dog to the veterinarian before leaving on a long road trip, bringing an adequate supply of food and water, and preparing in case of an emergency. 

traveling with a pet

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Take your dog to the veterinarian before an extended trip

Health checks are important before taking your pet on an extended trip. Be sure to schedule a visit with your veterinarian before any planned trips. The vet can run through a health evaluation for your favorite pet(s) and ensure they are fit to travel. If there are any health risks that are determined, then the vet can provide safety recommendations to ensure they are able to travel safely. Your pet may also need certain vaccinations if they are not up to date as well, particularly if you plan on flying or crossing into a different country. 

Bring an adequate supply of food and water

Food and water supply is essential for your dog during a long road trip. Be sure to bring with you the food that they regularly eat as a change in their diet could cause them to have an upset stomach. Water is even more important than food when traveling by car with your pet, so be sure to have water and a convenient drinking bowl for them. If your dog takes any medications, then be sure to bring them with you as well. 

Be prepared in case of an emergency

You should always plan for emergencies when traveling with your dog. You can do this by knowing the local 24-hour veterinarians or animal hospitals in your area and keeping the necessary safety equipment with you at all times, such as a pet first aid kit. 

5 additional tips for safety and comfort when traveling with a pet

There are additional ways that you can ensure the safety and the comfort of your dog while traveling. Tips for safe traveling with your dog include packing and preparing ahead of time, taking short trips before leaving, using a dog seat belt, and choosing your accommodations ahead of time. 

Make sure to pack and prepare ahead of time

Packing and preparing ahead of time can save you a lot of headache once you hit the road. As discussed, you should first organize all of your dog’s food, medications, vitamins, supplements, etc. If you are traveling with your cat, then you will need to bring their litter box as well. Dog (or cat) treats can come in handy as well. 

The next step is to set up your pet’s bed and toys in the car. It is important to bring these items along to help them get accustomed to a new location. Other items that you may benefit from bringing include blankets, towels, wet wipes, paper towels, lint rollers, waste bags, flea and tick repellent and an extra leash. 

Take short drives with your pet before traveling on a long trip

It is also helpful to go on short drives with your pet before you leave on a long trip. To begin, it may even help to sit with your pet inside the car for a while until they get comfortable with the car, and then gradually increase how long they are inside the car each time. This also allows you to identify any problems your pet may have with being in the car for an extended amount of time and correct them before a long car ride. 

Stop for regular exercise and potty breaks

The trip will be much more convenient for your dog if you provide them with regular exercise. It is best to plan your stops ahead of time. That way you are not going too long without a potty break or exercise. If you are traveling via the interstate, then rest stops are the perfect place for planned exercise and potty breaks. Cats are, of course, are much harder to provide with exercise. Although some cats are trained to walk on a leash. Many cats are also able to use the litter box in the car as well. 

Avoid feeding your pet a large meal before leaving

One of the most common mistakes made by pet owners is feeding the pet a large meal before they leave. While this may seem like the logical thing to do since they are less likely to eat full-sized meals after they leave, it can increase the risk of an upset stomach caused by motion sickness for your pet. Instead, it is best to feed them a small meal at least four hours before you leave. Most importantly, ensure that they have plenty of water before and after they leave for the long road trip.

Choose your accommodations ahead of time when traveling with a pet

Last but not least, be sure to plan your accommodations ahead of time. This includes hotels, restaurants, pet-friendly parks, and more. There is nothing worse than struggling to find a pet-friendly hotel at the last minute. By planning ahead of time, you can reduce the amount of time your pet (as well as your family) are in the car and know exactly how far away the next accommodation is to adequately plan for the road trip.

 

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Aaron Westbury
Aaron is a content writer with a passion for cars. He enjoys learning new things and loves to share what he learns with others. Aaron also has a Bachelor's in English and years of experience as a writer, and he constantly seeks to improve and make his writing more informative and helpful for readers. Although a writer by day, Aaron enjoys his free time by getting outdoors and staying active anyway he can.

    3 Comments

    1. I don’t think my cat would appreciate being in a car. I’ve had to take him short distances and he hates it. If i plan a trip I think I’ll leave him with a cat sitter.

    2. Keep the fur-babies safe!

    3. As a person who bring their dog with them most places, I keep a water bowl in my car at all times. Traveling for a long period of time can be more complex. Bring the pet to the vet prior and looking up emergency vets in the area is an excellent idea!

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