What better way to reduce the stress in your life than by taking a road trip? Whether you are going to see friends and family or just need to get away for a while, getting behind the wheel of your car and putting some miles behind you is a great idea. If you are a pet owner, then you need to think about what to do with your furry family members while you are gone. For people who have an emotional service animal, reading the legal guide to ESAs is essential and helpful when trying to figure out how to take them travelling with you. The following are some of the things you will need to remember when taking your dog on a road trip with you.
1. Practice Makes Perfect
If you are going to be taking your pets on a road trip, you need to get them acclimated to being in a vehicle. By taking your pet on a series of short trips beforehand, you can get a feel for how they do. Waiting until the day of the long trip to put your animal in a vehicle can lead to a variety of different problems. You need to make sure that if you are going to be crossing state lines on your road trip you take your dog’s up to date rabies vaccination records. There are a number of states out there that require out of state pet owners to provide this documentation. Adequately preparing for this road trip will allow you to avoid a number of problems.
2. Purchasing the Right Dog Crate is Important
The next thing you need to think about when taking your pet on a long road trip is getting them the right crate or carrier. You need to make sure that the crate or carrier you choose is large enough for your dog to stand up in. Once you have the best crate or carrier for your dog, you need to take some time to find out how to properly secure it. The last thing you want is for the crate or carrier to be sliding all over the place while you are driving. This may lead to your dog getting hurt or scared on the trip. If you want to forego using a crate, then getting a harness and attaching to the seat belts in the back of your vehicle is a great idea. This will allow your pet to have more freedom on the trip.
3. Pack a Pet-Friendly Travel Kit
Much like the suitcase you pack, a pet-friendly travel kit will contain all of the essentials you dog needs along the way. You should take some time and make a list of all of the essential items needed to keep your dog comfortable on the road. Having things like food, water bowls and grooming supplies is essential. Make sure you pack plenty of water to ensure your dog stays properly hydrated while on the road. Feeding your animal 3 to 4 hours before the trip is a great way to keep them happy on this long trip. You can get necessary dog grooming products at Dogclippersly
There is a fine line between a pet tolerant, and pet-friendly hotel. Pet tolerant hotels allow you to take your pet in your room, but you can’t walk it around the hotel whereas a pet-friendly hotel has no such restrictions.
4. Never Leave Your Animal Alone in a Parked Car
When trying to have a safe and enjoyable travel experience with your pet, you need to make sure you never leave them in a parked car alone. Even if you open the windows on a hot day and leave your animal in your car, it can quickly become far too humid for them. The last thing you want to do is injure your animal due to this kind of neglect. You need to take along a leash with you on the trip so you can take your dog wherever you go.
The time you put into planning out the details of your road trip will be worth it. Plotting out every detail of this trip will make it easy for you to keep your pet safe and happy.
