If you have ever been on a road trip before, you will know how much fun it can be. Just driving from place to place, stopping when you see something interesting and eating at restaurants along the way. Although planning a road trip is fun, what about if you have a dog? You can put them in boarding kennels while you are away, although this might not be so fun for them. Why not plan your road trip with your dog as well?
Take them for a Check-Up
Before you go away on your road trip, it is important to take your dog to the vet to make sure they are ok to travel. They need to have all their vaccinations and other medicines before they go. Also, if they take medication, make sure you have enough supply to last until you get back home. Your vet can also advise you on anything you need to do for your dog while on the trip.
Plan Your Trip
Just as you would for your family, you also need to plan your trip for your dog. They will need regular rest stops, so you need to find places that you can stop for a while. You can’t leave your dog in a hot car while you are having a rest, so make sure to find somewhere that has shade for them to use.
Restaurants and Diners
You will want to eat while you are on your trip, and so will your dog. Make sure you have packed their food and that it can be easily found while you are traveling. Take their regular food with you to avoid stomach upsets, but remember to pack some treats to reward them for being good traveling companions, click here! Look up pet-friendly diners along your route. It will make things easier if you can take your dog in there with you and it will be more comfortable for them.
Hotels
As with the restaurants and diners, you need to make sure that any hotels you have reservations in are pet-friendly. If you don’t, then you may find that you need to seek other accommodation. The same might apply if you are going camping, as some sites have animal restrictions. You can normally find out from their websites if they accept animals.
Driving Safely with Your Dog
For your safety and that of your dog, you need to ensure that your pet is safely secured in your car while driving. You can buy dog seatbelts and harnesses that allow you to strap your dog into the back seat, or you can buy a specially designed dog crate that is crash proof.
Taking your dog on a road trip will be an amazing experience and one that will be all the better if you plan everything in advance. It will also prevent any complications or delays while you are on the trip.
