Taking Your Dog on a Road Trip
Are you planning an upcoming road trip to an exciting destination? One thing that could make your travels even more fun is if you take your beloved furry companion along for the ride! To make sure you and Fido both enjoy an adventure of a lifetime, follow these eight tips for taking your dog on a road trip.
The first step is to find out if your dog can handle long drives. Start with short jaunts around town. If the animal is anxious, stressed, or nauseated in the car, you may want to rethink taking your dog on a road trip.
Whether you’re planning to camp at KOAs, stay with friends, or book hotel rooms, do your research ahead of time to make sure the places you want to stay at are dog-friendly. The restaurants, activities, and events you plan on attending must also allow pets. Use Bringfido.com and Dogfriendly.com as resources when taking your dog on a road trip.
In addition to packing your own suitcase, you also need to prep your dog’s travel bag. Be sure to bring the following:
In addition to the typical essentials, you should also pack first aid supplies in case your dog is injured on the road. To help you know how to handle a pet emergency, download a pet first aid app as well, such as the one from the American Red Cross. Your pet first aid kit should include:
To ensure your pup’s safety, and to prevent him from becoming a dangerous distraction, don’t allow him to sit in the front seat. Then, decide how you prefer to restrain your dog in the car. Your options include using a harness, installing a dog gate, or having your pet ride in a kennel.
In addition to using the proper restraint, don’t let your dog stick his head out the window while you drive down the freeway because this could harm the animal’s ears and eyes.
Some dogs are prone to motion sickness, which could prove problematic when taking your dog on a road trip. To keep the animal from feeling nauseated, try these tips:
Whether you have a printed snapshot or a recent photo in your camera roll, the ability to show people a picture of your dog could prove valuable if he goes missing on your travels.
Microchipping is a procedure most vets perform to provide pets with a permanent form of identification. If you and your pup get separated, a microchip can reunite you. Animal shelters and police stations have microchip scanners on hand to read the tiny chip embedded between your dog’s shoulder blades. A quick search on the microchip database tells the person who found your dog how to contact you.
The final step is to make sure your car is safe, tuned up, and ready for a road trip with your dog. Visit Scott’s Fort Collins Auto for the vehicle maintenance and repair you need before hitting the road. To schedule your appointment, please contact us online or call (970) 682-4202 today.
