Dogs are the perfect road trip companions! They’re a quiet company that keeps you entertained – and they look very cute hanging out the side window.
Road trips with dogs, however, aren’t all fun and games. Due to the confined space, you’ll need to properly set up and make sure that you and your pooch are comfortable during the long journey.
Here are some tips we’ve compiled for a complete dog travel checklist.
What Did the Vet Say?
First things first – the pooch has to be completely healthy before a road trip! We strongly urge you to go to the vet and ask his opinion about long road trips and how the pooch would fare.
While most dogs have no problem staying in the car for a trip to the dog park, it’s a little different if they’re going to be confined in the backseat for 3 hours or more. Generally, healthy dogs will be able to tolerate the trip.
Ask your veterinarian for medications for nausea just in case. Make sure the pooch is treated for flea and tick control before the trip – especially if you’re hiking outdoors!
The Trip and the Dog
Where are you going exactly? More importantly – how does your dog respond to car trips? Some dogs get nauseous; others are completely chill in the car while others love to just look outside the windows.
Some get very nervous and might pee or poop because of the anxiety. We encourage you to first get the dog used to car travel before taking him on a long trip. Plan according to how long you expect to be on the road.
The Dog’s Backpack
Dogs are a lot like babies in that you’ll have to pack for them before leaving. The essentials include food, water, toys, leash, food bowl, water bowl, a crate, and their complete papers.
The dog’s papers are there as a precaution, just in case you’ll need to prove that his vaccinations are up to date. As mentioned, bring enough food and water to cover the trip – plus extra reserves, just in case.
Water, Water, Water
Stock up on water – lots of it! You don’t have to put a water bowl in the car though because this will obviously spill as the car moves.
We encourage you to offer the dog drinks each time you make a pit stop. You can also try fastening a water dispenser over the back of the chair, but this isn’t really advisable.
The more often you let the dog drink, the more often he’d need to pee.
Know Your Route – and Where You’ll Stop
Speaking of peeing – adult dogs will need to urinate around 3 to 5 times a day. If you have a smaller need, that’s going to be around 7 to 8 times a day.
Basically, you have to make sure that the pooch gets bathroom breaks or you’re going to regret it! Allowing the pooch out every two or three hours would be perfect.
Make sure he’s already pooped BEFORE you leave the house so you don’t have that hanging over your head. Even then, you might want to bring a scooper and poop baggies.
By knowing your route, you can plan exactly when the two of you can get much-needed relief.
Food and Snacks
This one seems fairly obvious – but don’t forget it anyway. We suggest bringing snacks with you and stopping for a full meal instead of having it in the car.
Car Dog Seat Cover
So you’re pretty sure your dog won’t use the car as his own personal toilet – but you can’t help but worry about it even before the drive. Answer – just install a car dog seat cover.
A car dog seat cover is specifically created so that it covers the whole car seat. This way, you’ll never have to worry about leaving open a certain patch that can be dirtied up or urinated on.
If you have a heavy shedder, it’s also a good idea to have this installed just to make sure that the car remains pristine.
The Destination
Lastly – make sure that your destination is dog-friendly! If you’re visiting family, tell them in advance that you’re bringing a four-legged friend.
If you’re going to a hotel, it better be a pet-friendly one! Look for hotels with an excellent reputation in taking care of the pet of guests.
What do you like to do when you travel with your dog? Share this with other dog lovers who want to travel with their pooch!
