- Consider the weather.
First thing first, make sure you travel in a fine not-so-sunny day. Believe me: being caught up mid-trip in a bad weather like floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes is unfortunate enough.
But imagine being stranded with your dog. To prevent this, you need to know first if there is a current extreme condition in your route. Take the weather into consideration when planning the dates and the path of your journey.
- Give your dog a checkup.
Don’t forget to pay your dog’s vet a visit before hitting the road. Make sure your dog is healthy enough to travel. Plus, for some trips like by air requires a medical certificate to validate that your dog is safe and sound to take a plane.
While you’re in your dog’s vet, take the time to ask for a prescription of medication. Your dog may experience motion-sickness or anxiety when traveling, It is better to be equipped to handle if the situation arises.
- Pack the essentials.
Packing your doggie’s essentials is not one to miss when going to an adventure. Like you, your canine best friend needs its things to be comfortable on trips. Here are some stuff that you can pack for your dog:
- Water/ Food Bowl
- Travel Kennel or Crate
- Your dog's regular food
- Medications
- Poop Bags
- Tags, a collar, and a leash
- Bags to pick up waste
- Medical records
- Grooming supplies
- Dog Bed
- Favorite chew toys
- Towel
- Treats
These are just some basic things you need to make your dog cozy. Personally, I like to pack stuff that is suited in traveling like a Collapsible Dog Bowl or a Spill Proof Dog Bowl. It is most useful when traveling. Thankfully, Dog Lab provided a comprehensive list of review of dog travel-ready essentials for fur parents.
- Plan your rest stops.
While you can manage to take a break at least every 4 hours, your dog might beg to differ. The American Veterinary Medical Association advises pet owners to stop every two to three hours for your pet to have a break.
You can choose to stop on the grass or by a park or a restaurant. Always remember to lock your car. Take the time to feed your dog some food and water and take it for a walk, so it can let off some of his excess energy. Also, give your dog a chance to get their bathroom breaks.
- Secure your dog for safety.
To have a smooth trip with your dog, you need to ensure both of your safety. For your dog, it is crucial to bring a crate for it. You can secure a crate to the back seat using the seatbelt or luggage straps. If your dog is not familiar with being in this, the best thing to do is to prepare them for being in their crate. Also, it is better to bring a safety restraint; especially in some places, a seatbelt is mandatory.
Here’s a quick tip: don’t let your dog’s head hanging out of the window while the vehicle is moving. Although it is cute and it makes for a good picture, it exposes them to the danger of being hit by objects and can also cause ear damage and even lung infections.
- Bring your pet’s documents,
Even more importantly, bring your dog’s documents with you. It can include:
- Medical documents:
- Rabies vaccinations records
- Health issues records
- Prescription to medications
- Microchip number (if applicable)
- Medical insurance information
For some destinations, they require a Certificate Of Good Health for your pet. You can get this from your veterinary hospital. When you are traveling between cities or between countries by road or by air, it is crucial to bring it along with you.
When you’re taking the trip by air, doing a meticulous homework can make all the difference. You can only have a successful flight with your dog if you inquire first with the airline about their pet policies, and any necessary paperwork in advance.