Many pets can tolerate short car rides without issue, but long car journeys may become uncomfortable for them as they become carsick and need to relieve themselves; others may paw at the passenger seat hoping for some attention or want a bathroom break.
Plan ahead to ensure a pleasant trip for both you and your pet. First, pack their travel kit containing food, water bowls and waste bags.
Get Your Dog Used to Car Rides
If your pup isn’t used to car rides yet, begin training him as soon as possible so they become comfortable in his environment. Do this by gradually increasing trip length and rewarding calm behavior as well as visiting fun destinations that he likes – incorporate these experiences into daily routine so your pet associates car rides with positive experiences rather than stress and anxiety.
Begin by offering treats your dog enjoys as a way of drawing him closer. If your pup is fearful of cars, avoid trying to force him in; rather, slowly lure them with treats and praise until the car door can be opened.
Once your dog is comfortable approaching the car with leash in hand, try playing “two paws up”. This game reinforces that they should stand when approaching cars – then once inside you can reward their calm behavior!
After several sessions, your pup should be prepared for its road trip. Make sure not to feed him an excessively heavy meal immediately prior to driving and always provide fresh water as dehydration can be an issue with long drives.
If your pup is especially susceptible to motion sickness, consult with your veterinarian regarding anti-anxiety or mild sedative medication as some dogs have adverse reactions to such substances and should not receive them. It might also be wise to bring toys or blankets that he loves so he has something familiar he can cuddle up to when feeling distressed.
Get Your Dog Vaccinated
No matter whether it’s for just one day or across an entire state, when traveling with your pet it is essential that they be up-to-date with vaccinations and possess a health certificate from an animal hospital or veterinarian. Hotels will typically request this documentation as it could come in handy during any potential emergencies.
Before your road trip, speak to your vet to ensure your dog is up-to-date on his vaccinations, particularly rabies. Microchipping could make finding him easier; alternatively, they could print your phone number onto his collar tags as an added measure.
. If your pup suffers from anxiety or motion sickness while traveling in a car, practice getting him used to his crate before any long drives so he’s comfortable on long journeys. Your vet may recommend calming supplements or medication to make his trip smoother.
Plan out your itinerary carefully so you can include rest stops for bathroom breaks, food and exercise for both you and your pup. Bring along a familiar crate, bed or blanket that can confine him if an emergency arises.
Be sure to pack along any toys your dog enjoys. A chew mat may help relieve some anxiety for him or her. Also make sure you purchase enough dog food to last the entire trip and prevent your pup from becoming hungry during their travels as this will save both time and money!
Pack a Meal
Traveling with your pup can be both thrilling and relaxing – you have the flexibility of stopping at pet-friendly spots, exploring dog-friendly attractions, and practicing physical distancing techniques along the way! Road trips provide ample opportunity to do both.
Before embarking on any travel with your pup, make sure that food and water supplies are stocked up. If your canine requires medication, be sure to bring enough for the entire journey and beyond. Also be sure to make a list of local veterinarians and pharmacies and store phone numbers into your phone, in case extra medication or misplacement should occur along the way. Moreover, ask your veterinarian for an emergency prescription should anything arise that needs extra medicine during or after your journey.
Consult with your vet regarding any calming supplements or sedatives you should consider bringing on the journey, such as medications that will help your dog sleep through car rides; other providers may suggest sprays, chew treats or sprays as solutions.
Dogs that get car sick may suffer from anxiety or have middle or inner-ear issues that cause dizziness or nausea; it could also be because your pup isn’t used to spending long periods in its crate.
Keep your pup entertained on long road trips by packing an interactive toy such as the Classic KONG or some chew sticks to keep him busy and active. Be wary of giving long-lasting chews such as bones; these could become lodged in their throat or stomach and lead to serious medical complications.
Give Your Dog Plenty of Exercise
As much as your pup loves car rides, long drives can get tedious for him. To keep him engaged and entertained on long journeys, try providing him with an interactive toy like the classic KONG to help keep him occupied and amused. Make sure not to give bones or chew sticks as these could become hazardous when hitting bumps in the road; give plenty of attention when he acts well inside so as to reinforce calm, relaxed behaviors in him!
Be sure to ensure your pup wears his collar and microchip with your home phone number for identification in case he gets lost on your trip. In addition, put a temporary tag with your travel destination phone number on his collar in case there are places he may not be allowed outside.
If you plan on crate training your dog during a road trip, make sure he gets used to extended crate time prior to starting your journey. If he’s not keen on crates, make him comfortable by having them lie on a blanket with his bed or towel closeby; just be careful that his head doesn’t stick out the window where he could experience motion sickness and even cause injury in an accident!
Devereaux advises packing ginger chews or supplements to ease his motion sickness on long car trips, and making a list of veterinarians and pharmacies along your route just in case any unexpected pit stops become necessary.
Bring a Treat
Dogs tend to find long car trips unfamiliar and uncomfortable, often experiencing motion sickness or anxiety and becoming aggressive during the drive. Therefore, it’s crucial that every effort be taken to make their journey as pleasurable as possible.
One way to help your dog relax during a long car journey is to give them plenty of exercise prior to departure. This may involve going for long walks or playing fetch; teaching them new tricks could also keep their minds active while expelling energy from their bodies.
If your dog experiences motion sickness, speak to their vet in order to prescribe medication that can ease its symptoms. Antacids available over-the-counter may also help; be sure to follow any dosage instructions on their packaging carefully. It would also be a good idea to bring high-reward training treats like Zukes Vital Essentials or Fruitables so as to reward positive behavior during a ride.
Pet beds or car seats are an invaluable addition to your road trip supplies, preventing your pup from jumping on to the front seats and providing them with a soft spot to rest during their travels. If traveling with small pups, booster seats like the Frisco Bucket Booster Seat may be more suitable options.
Once you have all of your supplies ready, it is advisable to run a practice run with your dog so as to ensure all his/her quirks have been taken into consideration and their journey goes as smoothly as possible. Doing this will prevent any surprises during their adventure while providing them with a fun-filled and stress-free trip!