If You Plan On Traveling With Your Dog, Here’s Everything You’ll Want To Know Beforehand
Dogs love adventure and spending time with their people, so leaving them behind can lead to stress and loneliness. That's why more pet owners are choosing to bring their pups along on trips.
Traveling with a dog requires a bit of planning, but it’s an excellent way to bond and create lasting memories. If you’re considering it, check out these simple travel tips to make sure the journey stays fun and stress-free for both you and your furry friend.
Consider Other Options For Your Stay
Some owners might think dog-friendly hotels are the only option for a place to stay during their vacation, but there are plenty of other choices available. Airbnb is one of the top alternatives to hotels, and many of their listings allow dogs.
Hotels can sometimes be cramped and noisy, which may disturb other guests, but an Airbnb can provide all the extra space you and your dog need. You can look for properties with a backyard, easy access to parks, or other dog-friendly amenities. Plus, if you plan to venture out for a while, an Airbnb is often a safe and comfortable spot where your dog can stretch out and relax.
How To Make Dogs Feel Like They're At Home While Traveling
It's completely normal for dogs to feel a bit nervous when traveling to an unfamiliar place. Instead of relying on medication to calm them down, there's a more natural and wholesome approach.
Bringing along some of your dog's favorite toys can help them feel at ease and make the new environment feel more like home. Additionally, introducing a few new toys can keep them entertained and distracted, easing any anxiety during a long trip.
Music Soothes The Soul
Music is a powerful tool when it comes to influencing emotions, and it can be just as effective for dogs during travel. Dr. Susan Wagner, a veterinary neurologist, found that classical music can help calm anxious dogs, making it a great choice for soothing them on the road.
On the flip side, heavy metal music had the opposite effect, increasing barking and anxiety in the same dogs. Thankfully, there are also dog music therapy apps available that play specially-tested tracks designed to help calm your pup's nerves during travel.
Don't Let Dog Hair Take Over Your Space
Bringing a dog along on a trip can be a fun experience, but it doesn't have to turn messy. Since dogs shed regularly, it’s a good idea for owners to bring tools like squeegees or small vacuums to help keep things clean.
Dog hair can easily accumulate on surfaces and blow around a small, confined space, which can be particularly troublesome for those with allergies. To prevent the hair from spreading, place your dog on a towel or blanket during trips and shake off the hair each day. This simple step will help keep your space cleaner and more comfortable for everyone.
Get Your Dog The Right Car Restraint
Anyone who regularly travels with their dog should consider using a car restraint. These devices typically attach to the seat belt and collar to prevent dogs from moving around and trying to climb into the front seat, keeping both you and your dog safe.
If it's your dog’s first time using a car restraint, take it slow, as they need time to get used to the new setup. There are various types of restraints, including leashes, carriers, and crates, so it’s worth testing out different options to see which one works best for your pup’s comfort and safety.
Check If They're Up To Date On Vaccines
Before heading out on a trip, it's smart to take your dog to the vet for a quick check-up. The vet can recommend any necessary vaccines or tests, especially if your destination has health risks your dog isn’t used to.
For instance, your local area might not have deer ticks, but if you're traveling somewhere that does, a bite could lead to Lyme disease. Always carry a copy of your dog’s vaccination records—just in case you need them during the trip.
Be Prepared To Make Many Stops
Just like humans, dogs need to stretch their legs after a long drive—maybe even more so. They need bathroom breaks, fresh air, and time to walk or run around.
That's why it’s best to avoid bringing dogs on planes, buses, boats, or trains unless absolutely necessary. Not only are you not in control of the stops, but other passengers might be allergic or fearful. When driving, try to plan breaks that serve multiple purposes, like fueling up or grabbing food, so your pup can get some relief too.
Update Your Dog's Microchip Contact Information
One important task every dog owner should add to their travel checklist is updating the contact info on their dog's microchip. If your dog gets lost during the trip, this small step can make a huge difference in getting them back safely.
If you’re unsure which company your dog’s chip is registered with, your vet can help by scanning the chip and pointing you in the right direction. Most microchip providers have a website or phone number where you can update your info in just a few minutes.
Even Dogs Get Motion Sickness
Just like people, dogs can suffer from motion sickness, especially during car rides. It can lead to dizziness, nausea, and even vomiting. To help prevent this, give your dog pet-safe herbs like ginger, peppermint, chamomile, fennel, or dill about 15 minutes before hitting the road.
If your dog is prone to motion sickness, avoid feeding them for at least three hours beforehand. Watch for signs like drooling, panting, yawning, whining, shaking, or unusually quiet behavior—these could all mean your pup's feeling queasy.
Know Your Dog's Daily Routine
All dogs are different, which means they all have their own unique daily schedules. Knowing your dog's habits will make traveling a lot easier because you can plan your trip around their day-to-day lives.
If your dog prefers waking up early and has a lot of energy in the morning, then try and travel during the afternoon or night when they have tired themselves out. Traveling while your dog is asleep, especially if they get nervous in moving vehicles, is usually ideal.
Research Which Hotels Are Dog-Friendly
Booking a hotel with a dog barely takes any extra time and it's usually better to plan ahead. Many online booking sites will include filters where you can fill out that you're bringing an animal.
If you have your heart set on a certain hotel, then remember to check if it's dog-friendly. Other travel websites and apps will sometimes include places where it's safe to travel with a dog, such as restaurants with outdoor recreation areas.
Portion Out Your Dog's Food
One way to save time and effort while traveling with a dog is to portion out their meals beforehand. This way you won't have to bring the entire containers of dog food and supplements to save room.
Then, when they're ready for mealtime all you have to do is dump out the portion for that feeding. Some tools that are helpful for dogs eating on the go are collapsible dog bowls and plastic containers.
Keep Baking Soda On Your Checklist
It's almost inevitable that your dog will make some kind of a mess while traveling. This is completely normal and can usually be cleaned up in no time. The most important tool for this is baking soda.
If your dog has some sort of accident, you should soak up as much as you can with paper towels and saturate the rest of it with the baking soda. Not only does it get rid of the liquid, but removes the foul odor. Baking soda can also be used to deodorize your dog and detangle any mats in their fur.
Make Sure Your Dog Stays Hydrated
According to the Halifax Humane Society, dogs should drink between a half to one ounce of water per pound of body weight each day. For example, if a dog weighs 25 pounds they should drink about a fifth of a gallon of water daily.
Make sure to pack the water in a way that it won't spill and bring some collapsible water bowls. When you are stopped you can just take out the water bowl and pour in as much water as they need. This is also a good time for bathroom breaks.
Bring An Extra Set Of Everything
After you have everything packed for your trip it may be worth your while to grab extras of your most essential items. This can range from leashes, collars, food bowls, toys, and harnesses.
Grab two of everything that you wouldn't be able to continue traveling without because you don't know if you'll be able to find a new one when you're out and about. It might also help to bring storage compartments to arrange all your pet supplies.
Pack A Dog First Aid Kit
It's always best to be over-prepared when traveling and having a first aid kit ready to go can end up saving your dog's life. Include essential items such as antibiotic ointment, gauze, bandages, scissors, tweezers, hydrogen peroxide, latex gloves, and allergy medication.
Remember to store it in a place that's easy to reach and you can retrieve within seconds, whether that's the glove compartment or underneath a seat. If you're not sure if you have everything, please consult your vet.
What To Do With Waste
Cleaning up messes on the go can be a pain, but it will most likely happen when traveling with a dog. It's almost impossible to stop and find a public trash can every time you clean up.
This is why you should bring along extra plastic bags that can store the waste until you are able to stop and throw it all away. Having waste in the car can cause unwanted odors, so you probably want to have some sort of air freshener.
Know Your Route In And Out
Before leaving on a trip it's crucial to research your route. Not only will this help to know where you're going, but you can also look up dog-friendly places along the way.
One of the most important places to look up are vet clinics. In case of emergency, it will definitely help to know where all the 24-hour clinics are along the way. There are several apps you can download that can bring this information up in seconds, such as Google Maps.
Keep Dogs Comfortable With A Carrier
Keeping your dog safe and comfortable should be a top priority when traveling. A great way to ensure they stay close is by using a carrier.
Carriers work best for small dogs and come in many styles to suit your preferences. It shouldn't feel like a punishment—think of it as a cozy, secure space that helps your pup feel safe in unfamiliar environments.
When All Else Fails, Turn To Supplements
There are numerous things that can help dogs relieve stress while traveling such as music, toys, and carriers, but that may not be enough. When all else fails, try some supplements.
Most vets recommend natural supplements such as holistic and herbal pills that can be mixed with their food. There are also some calming oils that can relieve dogs' anxiety. Before giving these supplements to your pet, talk to their vet to see if there could be any underlying issues or potential interactions.
