Many people assume that traveling with dogs is incredibly difficult, if not downright impossible. But they don’t want to leave their pooch home alone. However, traveling with your pets can be an extremely rewarding and fun experience for everyone. You just need to prepare properly and bring along some treats. From airplanes to cars and everything else, here are some travel tips to ensure the trip with your pup goes as smoothly as possible.
Training Before Traveling With Your Dog
Before you hit the road, make sure your dog can handle traveling any time of the year. They should be trained to understand and follow basic commands and they should be comfortable staying in their carriers for extended periods of time. Traveling can be tough, and a misbehaving dog will only make it harder. It will make the trip easier for both of you if your dog is obedient and well-trained.
If you need help training your dog, working with a trainer is the most effective solution. They can do the work for you and are the most experienced person for the job. There are also more than enough resources online to help you do the training yourself. Whatever the case may be, make sure your dog is trained and ready to travel.
Health and Safety Check Before Traveling With Your Dog
You want to make sure your pets stay safe throughout the entirety of your trip. Before your travels, take your dog to the vet for a checkup. Take vaccine records with you to make sure his vaccinations are current. Inform your vet of your upcoming trip and ask if they are in the proper shape to travel. Also, get any refills you need on your dog’s medications to make sure they have enough.
Another good tip for making sure your dog stays healthy throughout your trip is to bring their regular food. New foods from the store can throw your dog’s system off and make them sick, so it’s best to continue feeding them the food they’re used to. Also, don’t forget bottled water for your dog to drink as well as all the medications he needs.
Always be prepared for an emergency, even if you don’t think it is that serious at first. Have the address and phone numbers for the nearest 24-hour vet emergency hospital on hand, along with the number of your regular vet. This way you can be prepared to handle any medical emergencies that may arise on your trip.
Keep your dog’s collar on while you are traveling. Their collar should have an ID tag with their name as well as your name, address, and current contact information. This will help keep your dog safe in case they run off. Know more about pet care while on holiday tips here!
Accommodations and Activities To-do While Traveling With Your Dog
While pet-friendly accommodation can sometimes be hard to find, doing the work ahead of time will save you a lot of trouble. Find pet-friendly accommodation that is suitable for you. Check their policies, see what their extra fees are, and check that the surrounding areas have pet-friendly restaurants and parks so that you won’t need to keep your pets cooped up.
Some destinations will be better suited for your pet than others. Choose your locations wisely to ensure that both you and your dog can enjoy the trip. Dogs can become anxious when put in new environments, so be aware of this when planning. For example, a dog who is accustomed to the suburbs may be very overwhelmed in a large city. Try not to throw them completely out of their comfort zone. Let them get used to the idea of a new place over time and don’t surround them with strangers as this can overwhelm them and cause them to misbehave as a result.
If your dog needs a lot of exercise, make sure you go to a place where you will be able to give them the proper care they need. Check if there are hikes, walking paths, parks, or other areas where you can be active with your pup.
What to Pack To Ensure Safe & Healthy Travel With Your Dog
Pack all your essentials in advance so that you don’t need to take trips to the store once you arrive. Bringing things like toys, blankets, and beds with you can help keep your dog comfortable. Dogs are creatures of habit that can become anxious when taken out of their routine, so objects that smell like home can soothe them. The travel essentials you’ll need for your dog are listed below.
Dog Food: Make sure you have more than enough for the trip and pack a can opener if your dog eats food from a can
Water
Food and water bowls
Medicines
Medical records: This will be crucial if you have an emergency on the road. In addition, you may need to show up-to-date health records when crossing state borders)
Treats: If you’re driving or if your dog gets motion sick, bring some pet-friendly ginger chews for their stomach
Carrier
Long and short leashes
Harness
Bed and blanket
Identification: Make sure your dog is always wearing a collar with an ID tag on him. The tag should legibly display his name as well as all your current contact information. If your canine companion hasn’t been microchipped, consider having one implanted prior to hitting the road.
Doggie first aid kit: Pack a first aid kit with anything you would need to treat small cuts, remove ticks, and wrap injuries.
Poop bags
Some less obvious, but still important items to consider packing include:
Life jacket if you are planning on doing water activities
Booties for hot or snowy destinations
Coat for colder conditions
Towels and grooming supplies for cleaning
LED collar light to keep your dog safe when it gets dark
Hiking pack to let them help carry some equipment on a hike
Collapsible bowls
Extra collar
Puppy pads in case your dog needs to relieve himself in a pinch
Once you’ve done the proper training and preparation, you’re ready to get moving. Be patient with your dog as you travel as they are experiencing all new things. If they get anxious, try to keep them comfortable by surrounding them with things they know and giving them lots of love and attention. If they are still anxious, call your vet and ask what you should do.
Related Reading
As Spot’s resident cat enthusiast, I am dedicated to researching and sharing information that helps pet owners take the best care of their pets. Pet ownership comes with it’s share of challenges, but my goal is to help make this journey easier.
RV Count Doors
AKC
Nomadic Matt
