Whether you’re an old pro and a novice at traveling in the car with your dog, we’re optimistic you’ll take away a few useful tips here.
Small adaptable, curious dogs make great traveling companions. Small terriers and toys such as Miniature Schnauzers, Poodles, and Pugs make excellent globe-trotters. Larger dogs however, prefer to guard the house and give you a big welcome when you return. But there are always exceptions in both cases due to their personalities.
Table of Contents
Traveling in the Car with Your Dog – Training
All dogs should be car-trained as puppies, since this is the most common form of travel for them. If you are dealing with an adult dog who is unaccustomed or afraid of car travel, you may have to make a regular training project out of it. Start out with short drives around your neighborhood and graduate to longer trips over time. Traveling in the car with your dog is something that both the dog and the pet parent must get used to.
The best way for traveling in the car with your dog is in a pet carrier. An unsecured pet can distract you while driving or interfere with the operation of the vehicle. Too many unsecured pets have jumped from a moving vehicle to be fatally injured, when a carrier or tether could have saved them. Car seats and containment seats are now available and can be secured with your current seat belts, and some form of restraint is being considered mandatory by many states and municipalities around the country.
Your dog should always wear a collar with an I.D. tag and rabies vaccination tag, as many pets can become separated from their owners while traveling. You should consider having your dog microchipped. Most all kennels, veterinarians, and animal hospitals have scanners that can read these tiny implanted chips that are registered into nation-wide data bases with the animal’s home address, name, etc. The process is inexpensive, quick, and permanent. A recent photograph, especially one that shows colors and identifying marks is always helpful.
Traveling in the Car with Your Dog – Travel Kit
You should make certain that your dog has all his vaccinations up to date, and obtain a current health certificate from your veterinarian. The following is a list of items that should include as a travel kit for your dog:
- An extra collar
- A sturdy leash
- Moist towelettes
- Food
- Treats
- A sealable container of water
- A chew toy
- All required medicines and supplements
- Brush or comb
- An old towel
- Plastic bags
During the trip your pet will need access to fresh water regularly, exercise, and breaks to stretch and relieve himself, and comfortable temperatures. Never leave a pet alone in a vehicle especially in hot weather! When exposed to high temperatures, dogs can suffer from a heat stroke. Lastly when it comes to traveling in the car with your dog, just like people, some dogs can get motion sickness. Signs of motion sickness include whining, barking, pacing, salivation, panting, and vomiting. To overcome these conditions, limit their view out of windows, stop frequently, and again, don’t let them become overheated.
Before you leave home, clip or trim your dog’s nails, brush out all loose hair, and feed him lightly, but never a large meal. Call ahead and make sure your pet is welcome at your destination, as many hotels and motels do not allow pets.
In this article, we have covered many insights into traveling in the car with your dog. This article was written to help all pet parents who are thinking of or planning to travel with pets. With these guidelines for traveling in the car with your dog, you can definitely plan your next trip with a bit more ease. Do you have any other recommendations for pet parents? Share them in the comments below so that other readers can benefit from your wisdom!
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