Pet Tips | Travel Tips | Pet Care
Traveling With Your Dog
Tips and Necessities for Road Trips
I love traveling with my dogs, but I remember the days when it was overwhelming to think of everything I needed to bring for a trip with them. From my experiences, here is my guide for what to prepare and pack for a trip with your dog.
Preparing Your Dog
See how well your dog does with long term car rides.* Make sure your dog performs well in public and is trained well enough to not cause any problems.**
Make sure your dog is vaccinated accordingly
Check for local parasites or diseases that your dog will be exposed to in the locations you are going. (Is it a wooded area, will you be going to other dog parks, will there be ticks, etc.? These are all things to research.) Also, make a vet appointment and discuss where you are going and see if your dog requires vaccinations for that location or parasite prevention. Please read my vaccine preventative care article for more information.
Dog Bag Supplies
- Bowls for water and food
- The correct amount of food for each meal for each day — you can even separate the specific meals into different bags, it’s easier for on-the-go.
- Water jugs/bottles — enough for the duration of your trip or
- Dog poop bags — (please pick up after your dog!)
- Dog toothpaste & toothbrush
- Leash(es) — main: non-extendable leash (4–6ft), optional: short/training leash (2ft), and an optional extendable leash (always good to have a spare)
- Collar with ID tags
- Vaccine Records (just in case they are required somewhere for your dog to get in, for a kennel- if needed, OR if your dog needs to go to the veterinarian)
- Pet First-Aid kit
- List of local veterinary hospitals — at your destinations and on the way to your destinations
- Treats — for positive reinforcement/encouragement (for training and getting your pet comfortable in new places and situations) & CBD/calming treats for stressful situations
- Puppy wipes — for dirty paws and fur
- Towels — for water and snow
- Toys — Frisbee, balls, snuggle & chew toys
- Nail trimmers & dremmel/nail file — for snagged nails (optional: Silver Nitrate OR QuikStop for bleeding)
- Pack for the Snow: Sweater and booties
- Optional: Portable dog water bottle with dispenser — easy for the car ride, water does not go to waste
- Optional: Dog seatbelt OR carseat — if your dog walks around the car too much OR there may be some abrupt stops
- Optional: Tick removing tweezers
- Optional: Dog bed OR blanket— It has your scent and it can be your pet’s comfort zone
- *Optional: Oral sedatives, prescribed by your veterinarian — if your dog is anxious for car-rides or in general. If your dogs does not enjoy riding in the car, I would not recommend a road trip, since that is where most of the trip time is spent. (Although, if you still want to take your pet on the road trip, please explain to your DVM and see what they recommend).
- **Optional: Muzzle — if your dog can get aggressive around people OR dogs, since they will be in public
Frequent Stops
Stopping every couple hours is not only good for you to strentch your legs and get some fresh air, it’s good for your dog as well. Your dog needs potty breaks, to get exercise and smell the new environment. Your stops should be at dog friendly locations.
The Weather At Your Destinations
If you are going to a snowy destination, try bringing sweater and booties. It’s not really necessary if you have a dog built for the cold weather, like a Husky, Bernese, Newfoundland, etc.
Also, make sure your destinations are not too hot for your dog [to walk your dog or spend time outside]. Please read my article on walking your dog in the heat.
Remember the Accurate Feeding Time
Whatever the time-zone, try to feed your dog as close to their actual feeding time as possible. If you feed your dog at six o’clock in the evening, for dinner, and your current location is an hour behind, then feed your dog at five o’clock. Dogs know when it’s time to eat, so they will probably remind you (even if your alarm does not go off for another hour).
Dog Friendly Destinations
Even if the locations you are going to are outdoors or nature destinations, does not necessarily mean that dogs are allowed there. There are many nature walks and reserves that do not permit dogs, since it can disrupt the widlife. I always Google the location beforehand or even call to see what their policy is on dogs. If dogs are allowed, they usually need to be leashed.
For example: In Bryce Canyon, dogs are only allowed on paved roads and viewpoint areas, not trails. In the Grand Canyon, pets are not allowed below the canyon rim.
Dog Friendly Hotel, Motel, or AirBNB
When trying to find places to stay in between destinations on your road trip, look for places that are dog friendly. Keep in mind that there is usually an extra cost for bringing your dog.
Have a fun and safe trip with your fur-baby! I would love to hear what tips and tricks you have picked up while traveling with your pets!
