Hitting the highway with your dog by your side can be a great experience, but as with any road trip, it’s best to plan carefully and think about the specific needs of your faithful, furry friend before you get going.
Here are just a few tips for road tripping with a dog, ranging from what to bring with you to how to avoid common catastrophes.
1. Pack the right products
There are lots of things you’ll need to ensure that your dog stays happy and healthy during longer journeys, and packing enough food should definitely be a priority.
Work out how much they’ll need to eat each day, and bring at least 50 percent more on top of this, because you never know when your trip might get disrupted, or if you’ll be able to find their favorite treats elsewhere.
Also bring any medication they require, and again make sure there is more than enough to keep you going for the direction of your trip and beyond. Since you can get a vet prescription online, there is a way to quickly top up on must-have medication for your dog if you are doing some last-minute preparations.
2. Take precautions
You really don’t want your dog to run off in any circumstances, and if you are in a strange place which is foreign to you as well, that’s doubly worrying.
Getting your dog microchipped so that it can be identified if it runs off and is found elsewhere is vital in this context. You could also consider investing in a collar which has an integrated GPS tracker, letting you see exactly where the dog is at any time.
Even something as simple and old-school as a collar with an attached identification tag will give you peace of mind, and prevent mix-ups on the road.
3. Bring cleaning supplies & a first aid kit
Dogs don’t mind a bit of mud, and some really relish being able to get into the thick of things in the great outdoors, so you can’t go on a road trip without the supplies you’ll need to clean up afterwards.
Old towels to protect your car’s upholstery, and to dry off damp paws and fur, are always a must. If you’ve got particular grooming products that also work well for your dog, these wouldn’t go amiss on your inventory.
A first aid kit could also be a good thing to have to hand, as unfamiliar territory could leave your dog more likely to injure itself.
4. Embrace in-car safety
There are lots of reasons to be serious about safety when driving with a dog. It’s not just about protecting your animal from harm, but also about preventing you from being distracted by your pooch if it is loose in the cabin of your car.
In-car dog crates are a good option, and modern designs will allow you to stay in close contact with your dog while still keeping it safe and secure.
Harnesses and trunk-based barriers are the next step up from this, and you may already have this type of product installed to cover short distances with your dog.
The main thing to remember is that for longer drives, such solutions might not be ideal, which means making regular stops so your dog can stretch its legs will be worthwhile.
5. Check regional regulations
Last of all, do your research and see if there are any regional-specific regulations relating to dog owners in the locations you are planning to visit.
This could cover things like leash laws, but might also apply to aspects like wildlife preservation and so on. Overall, with a bit of prep and prior planning, your doggy road trip should be a delight.
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