Taking part in and preparing for a road trip is tedious as is, but preparing one that involves your dog can be even more complicated and exhausting. You do have to admit, the idea of having your best friend by your side as you explore different towns and cities sounds very appealing. And it really is a great experience! But with it comes great responsibility. In addition to packing for yourself, you have to pack for your pup as well. Don’t worry, we’ve come up with some hacks to make traveling with your little guy (or girl) a lot easier.Majority of hotels charge a daily fee and call it a deposit that you don’t get back. Some also charge a cleaning fee.
Instead of having your pup wait for you to pull over or get gas in order for them to drink some water, get a spill-proof bowl they can use any time they want during the drive.
Cover the seats with towels or blankets. Dog hair gets EVERYWHERE. Be sure to clean and vacuum the car before you return it so you can avoid the fees.
You can do this with a toiletry bag! Convert it into a dog car organizer by keeping all your dog’s stuff inside it. It will help speed up rest stops when you’re looking for specific things.
Be prepared. Bring a raincoat or umbrella and towel for rainy weather and a warm blanket for snow.
Plan a 15 to 20 minute walk break for every 4 hours of driving.
This way your dog will be more comfortable for a nap, especially if you have a big dog. You could even take one with them.
Letting them look out the window actually helps with their motion sickness. It also keeps them occupied. Be sure to crack the window just a little bit so they can smell the scents rushing by.
Keep one handy inside your car at all times! If you want to make your own, just combine absorbent gauze pads, antiseptic wipes, cotton balls or swabs, hydrogen peroxide, gauze rolls, ice pax, non-latex disposable gloves, petroleum jelly, rectal thermometer, scissors, and tweezers into a little kit.
It’s never really a great idea to place your pet into a new car seat, carrier, or car for the first time ever on your trip. Try taking them on short rides with them in it. This will help them grow more comfortable with the experience beforehand.
First off, this helps keep excessive shedding all over your car to a minimum. Secondly, your dog is actually secure and safe. And lastly, this prevents them from jumping onto your lap while you’re driving.
Although it won’t keep your pup in one spot, it’ll definitely prevent them from trying to escape the back seat into the front seat.
An exercised and worn out dog means a sleepy dog. With your pup sleeping majority of your ride, you’re in for a smooth and peaceful one.
This way, you can easily pull them along with you in crowded areas such as train stations or airports. Don’t worry if you have a big dog, they make them for every size!
It makes them feel better and is full of nutrients. Make sure the chicken broth is low sodium. And of course, don’t forget to call the vet.
You’ll think you won’t need it but better safe than sorry! This means extra collars, IDs, poop bags, and toys.
It doesn’t sound necessary but once you start getting dog hair EVERYWHERE, it’s a great tool to have on hand. It can help you get dog fluff out of hotel carpets and car seat upholstery!
Write down all the information you’ve researched and store it somewhere safe where you won’t lose it. God forbid a situation arrises where your dog needs medical attention, but again better safe than sorry.
And label everything that’s in the bag clearly in front. This way, it won’t get wet and/or stained and it’s in easy access to you! We don’t want any spilling accidents to damage such important information.
If there is an incoming thunderstorm at your destination, or even if you’re driving through one on your way there, a dryer sheet will help your dog stay calm. By running the dryer sheet over your dog’s fur, you’re keeping the buildup of static electricity low in their fur.
By giving them a toy to play with, you easily prevent excited and/or bad behavior in the car. They’ll be too busy with that round tennis ball or stuffed Pikachu.
If your dog usually responds to noises at night, you might be asked to leave at a hotel. Prevent that from happening by playing white noise to limit outside noises your your dog will hear. There are plenty of white noise apps available for smartphones!
It’s very important to be prepared for any potential crisis! This way if they’re ever out of sight, you can quickly find out where they are.
