If you are a dog parent, you know just how these four-legged fur balls make our lives better. By wagging their tail, bringing the ball or simply cuddling your pet can improve your whole day and put a huge smile on your face. Once they enter your life they become an important part of your family and treating them like they are a human being becomes completely normal.
If you are planning a road trip with your doggo you need to keep in mind that you will need to take certain steps to make sure they stay happy and comfortable. Therefore, before bringing your dog with you on the road, read these tips and know what you are getting yourself into.
Prepare your dog
If your furry buddy has never been in a car before, don’t expect them to feel comfortable in a moving vehicle. A lot of dogs that are not used to spending time in a car get scared, nervous, or even sick, so don’t be surprised if you end up with pee or your pet’s lunch all over your backseat. To avoid this complication, make sure that going for a ride is nothing new to your puppy. Take them for shorter rides before your big trip, make sure they are feeling perfectly comfortable and reward them for their good behavior. If your dog is simply one of those pets that are prone to car sickness (hey, people get carsick, too) consult the vet and see which meds will help your buddy feel better.
Make sure their tag is in order
Your puppy needs to have a tag with your contact information on their collar, so if you have recently moved make sure that this info is up to date. Same goes for their microchip. We all know that it takes only a second for a dog to wander off, so consider investing in a GPS dog collar. If you are interested in this kind of gadget, you can find more resources here.
Make sure your dog has plenty of room
Your dog shouldn’t travel squeezed between your luggage. You wouldn’t feel comfortable traveling that way, so don’t put your pet through that either. The more space your dog has, the better behaved they will be, so make sure they have plenty of room.
Access to water is a must
When you are on the road trip you probably keep a bottle of water next to you so you can drink any time you feel thirsty. So why should your dog have to wait until you make the next stop to get a drink of water? Your four-legged friend can easily dehydrate, especially during the summer, so get a stable water bowl you can put on the floor behind your seat and let your dog drink at their leisure. If for some reason this is undoable, make sure to make frequent stops and give your pet something to drink.
Pay attention to their bathroom needs
Even if you are in a big hurry you mustn’t ignore your dog’s bathroom needs. Hey, when nature calls your puppy needs to answer, and if you don’t make a stop they will answer all over your backseat. Therefore, let your dog out every time you stop and let them do their business.
Never leave your pet in the car on a hot day
If you are going on a road trip in the middle of the summer, do not leave your dog in the car unattended. In just a minute it can get too hot inside and your pet can get dehydrated or even worse, experience a heatstroke. If you simply must leave them on their own for just a couple of minutes, crack the windows or put a portable fan in your car.
Traveling with your dog can be an unforgettable experience, as long as you are well prepared for that adventure. Therefore, make sure that you follow these tips and you and your buddy will have a great time exploring new places together.
