Whether you are hitting the highway to soak up the sun, or you’re getting out there to visit family for the winter holidays, going on a road trip is always better with a furry friend. But taking Fido along on your road trip is not quite the same as taking along a human passenger. You will have to make sure that you schedule regular potty and exercise breaks, for example, and you also need to think about how you’ll handle keeping your pup occupied. After all, they can’t simply zone out to conversation or an audio book the way people can.
But traveling with your dog doesn’t have to be stressful. One of the best things that you can do to make this an excellent experience for you both is to be prepared. So we’ve put together the ultimate checklist to make traveling with your dog an easy experience. Here’s what you need:
1. Proper identification
You never want to have your dog on the move without knowing that they have proper identification on them. Just in case your dog gets loose, he’ll be in an unfamiliar area far from home. So be sure his tags are up-to-date with your information, and consider having him microchipped as well.
2. Vaccination records
If you plan to be at rest stops or parks where there could be other dogs or other people, bring your vaccination records with you. In a worst-case scenario, you’ll want to be able to immediately prove that your dog is not a threat to anyone’s safety.
3. A harness for traveling
If your dog typically roams around in the car as you drive, consider getting a harness that attaches to a seatbelt for a long road trip. There are two reasons for this. First, your dog’s safety. If you are in an accident, a seatbelt is just as important for your dog as it is for you. Second, you don’t want to be distracted by your dog trying to jump into your lap or see out your window when you are driving.
4. Their brand of food
Many owners think to themselves that they’ll just pick up a small bag of food when they get to where they are going. But dogs’ stomachs can be more sensitive than you know, especially when traveling. Bring the food that they are used to so that you don’t have to worry about cleaning up any messes.
5. A list of emergency pet clinics along your route
If you know where you are headed, be sure to do a little research before you go and find a list of all the medical facilities along the way that cater to pets in emergencies. You may not ever need this information, but it can make you feel much more at ease just in case. It will also be an excellent place to start looking should your dog get loose during a stop.
6. Favorite toys
Even if your dog is happy to just hang around you and take in the scenery, be sure to have a couple of their favorite chew toys or other favorites on hand. If your dog starts to get anxious, this will help calm them down – and will also ensure that you don’t end up with damage to the interior of your car when your dog decides to start jumping around or chewing to ease their anxiety.
7. Blankets or a dog bed
If your dog sleeps on a particular blanket or has a dog bed at home, it’s a good idea to bring it with you. The familiar smells will make them more likely to take a nap along the way. If you’re worried about the smell or hair getting on your seats, lay down a clean blanket first, and then put down their bed or blanket.
8. A crate
If you are traveling very long distances, or you will be staying in a hotel on your trip, you may want to bring a dog crate. Your dog may not spend a lot of time in it, but you will want to be able to leave your hotel room at some point, and you don’t want to leave your dog loose in a strange place. You also may need to put your dog in a crate when you are dealing with heavy traffic to keep them from distracting you. Finally, some dogs just feel more comfortable in their crates when they are anxious.
9. Plenty of water
If there is any one thing to always bring with you, it’s water. Your dog needs lots of it, and you can’t always count on there being places to grab some in certain areas of the country. Be sure you have a bowl, or even a collapsible bowl, with you so that you can easily give your dog a drink anywhere, and carry a couple of extra gallons of water for them.
10. A first aid kit for dogs
You can always buy a first aid kit that will work perfectly, but it’s not hard to throw one together yourself. First aid for dogs usually just means pulling out a splinter or something simple like that – anything more serious, and you’ll likely want to find the nearest vet. But some things to include in a first aid kit may be:
- Styptic powder to stop bleeding if a toenail gets ripped.
- Eyewash to flush out anything that gets in Fido’s eye.
- Gauze.
- Vet gauze to wrap around gauze in case of a cut.
- Scissors.
- Antiseptic wipes.
- Tweezers.
- Any medications your dog takes.
- Insect repellant.
Just those few essentials will make you both more comfortable.
11. Clean-up supplies
Along the way, you’ll no doubt be facing a few potty breaks, so be sure to bring some doggy waste bags or plastic shopping bags to tidy up. You may also want to bring paper towels or an old towel, along with some carpet cleaner, to take care of any messes that your dog may make inside your car. If it could be muddy where you are going, for example, you’ll want to be able to wipe your dog’s feet off before they jump back in for the ride.
12. Leash or harness
Almost any area you will visit these days has leash laws, but even if they don’t, you’ll want to keep your pet on a leash in an unfamiliar area. When not surrounded by their normal territory, a dog can act unpredictably. It’s best for their safety, and everyone else’s if you use the leash or harness consistently during your trip. Always be sure the doors to your car are all shut before taking the leash off, and put the leash on before opening any back up.
13. Pet-friendly hotel reservations
The last thing to “pack” for your road trip with your dog is a reservation at a dog-friendly hotel. Wherever you plan to stay, be sure that the pet policy is known before you take off. You wouldn’t want to arrive and find out that your dog isn’t welcome! Be sure that you know exactly where your pet is allowed as well. For example, some campgrounds do not allow dogs anywhere except at your specific site, even on a leash. If you do have to leave your pet in a hotel room in their crate, be sure the front desk has your cell phone number in case of an emergency.
If you need help finding dog-friendly spots, bringfido.com is an excellent resource.
With all these things packed up, you’ll be ready for a great road trip with your best four-legged friend!
