We didn’t bring our dog on this Rockies or Bust excursion. 47 days in the car is too much for most humans, let alone a dog. But, many families take their pets on shorter trips, so we asked our sponsor, CarHelp.com, for some tips on traveling safely with pets.
If you’ve got a dog, chances are a family road trip isn’t complete without Fido. Remember that car trips – even short ones – can be stressful for your pup. Here are a few ways to make sure both human and canine family members have fun on your next road trip.
- Test-drive your dog – take him on progressively longer trips in the car to make sure he doesn’t get carsick. Longer trips can cause some dogs to get nauseated, even if they normally do fine tooling around your neighborhood.
- Research dog-friendly hotels before you go. Officialpethotels.com has a list of hotels in virtually every city that will welcome your pooch with open arms.
- Make sure your dog is secure in the car – a quick stop or collision could send her through a window! Obviously a crate or gate is the best option, but at a minimum use a pet seatbelt. PetBuckle Pet Seat Belt Harness for Pets, 20-Pound and Up is a great restraining systems that can be configured for small to very large dogs or you can visit Pettravelcenter.com for more options. If you haven’t used a pet seat belt before, this is another good reason to take some test drives before your road trip.
- Bring your dog’s favorite blanket or bed on the trip. Those familiar smells will really help him feel more at home in the car and in a hotel. Just like the rest of the family, your pet’s favorite treats and lots of water are also essential on the road.
- Remember to bring medical records including vaccinations, in case you need a vet.
- Take lots of breaks. Dogs need exercise and stretching at regular intervals just like kids do. Don’t just take him out to pee. Give him a nice 10 or 15 minutes of running or walking on each break. Coordinating pit stops for the pet with geocaching for the kids makes everyone easier to travel with. You’ll feel better too!
Finally, never EVER leave your dog in a car in the heat or extreme cold when you stop. Temperatures – even with the windows open – can reach 110 plus degrees in just a few minutes. Mydogiscool.com is an informative site that will help educate you on this topic. Keep your dog safe whether the wheels are rolling or not!
