Are you planning to take a road trip? You’ve made sure to take your car to the mechanic and it’s ready to go. You have already prepared your bags and healthy snacks for the road. You are very excited, because on this trip your little furry ones will accompany you.
But wait a moment,
Are you sure your dog is ready to take a long road trip? It is important to keep in mind that traveling with a pet implies more than just carrying the animal in the back seat and simply leaving, especially if you are going to drive long distances or plan to be away for a while.
So you should first consider if:
Is travel with dog in car the best for him or her? You should always think about what is best for your dog. You may not be ready to travel with a dog by car on the road.
Sometimes, it may be better to leave it with a family member or friend. You should also keep in mind, if you are going to feel safe and comfortable in the destination you are going to. Because it can be very hot or very cold, because there are going to be too many people or too much noise.
Of course, as long as your dog cannot accompany you on the trip, you should leave it in good hands. Never leave it alone at home. Now, I understand that for some pet owners, a trip is not fun if four-legged family members cannot come.
On this occasion, Versatile Car suggests a series of tips for travel with dog in car by road. As a result, if you take them, you will be prepared to face the problems that may arise and take appropriate security measures.
Tips for travel with dog in car
1. Make sure your pet is healthy to travel
First, before travel with dog in car for a long time, you should take it to the veterinarian for a check-up. You must ensure that all your vaccines are up to date. Do not forget your vitamins or medications recommended by the veterinarian. Always carry your regular veterinarian’s number with you. In this way, if there is a situation in which your dog needs medical attention, it can offer you the information you need.
2. Make your dog familiar with the vehicle
So that you do not have problems when travel with dog in car, we recommend you take the following test.
If your dog has never traveled by car, ride it (while the engine is off) to familiarize yourself with the car.
Start by taking short car rides at a low speed, not too far from home. Gradually increases the regularity.
Try to be walks that your pet can associate with fun, for example, take it to the park. This way you will connect the car and the rides with fun. The first time you get in the car, do not take it to the vet, because it will then associate car trips with that experience.
3. Transport your pet safely
In no case can the dog go in the passenger seat and much less in the driver’s legs. In addition, it is not recommended that you go loose in the back seat, or in someone’s arms. If the car makes a sudden movement or stops quickly, your pet can get hurt.
For no reason should animals be transported in the trunk of the car, as it runs the risk of becoming dehydrated from poor ventilation and excessive heat.
Don’t let your dog travel in the back of an open truck. This is extremely dangerous and can cause serious injury or death.
Never leave your pet alone inside a car with the windows closed.
4. Do not let your dog travel with its head out of an open window. This can cause eye damage.
5. Choose the right accessory to transport your dog
There is a wide variety of accessories for traveling with dogs: safety belts, harnesses, separating grilles, etc. Nowadays they are very easy to find in specialized stores, both physical and electronic stores.
For example, if the dog is small, a good way to recommend it is to take it inside a special carrier. For those of medium or large size, a harness with one or two attachment points to the seat belts of the rear seats is usually used. You can ask an expert for help so you can get advice.
Remember that these accessories are dependent on the breed or size of your pet. But it is an investment worth making. Your dog’s life is important.
6. Do not feed your pet just before going on a trip
Your dog’s stomach may be sensitive to car movements. It can cause dizziness or vomiting. But make sure you have plenty of water at all times.
7. Take some toys
Just as with young children, dogs can get bored during the trip. You must be prepared. Therefore, carry a toy that does not make noise or an object that you like to chew, so that it is entertaining during the trip.
8. Take some supply of your usual food
To keep your pet healthy during the trip, bring some of his regular food. We recommend Purina® Pro Plan®. These foods have been carefully formulated to ensure proper feeding of your pet.
9. Make stops during the trip
Like us, they also have needs. If the trip is long, the ideal is to make stops every two hours for the pet to drink water, make their needs and stretch their limbs.
Important! Before opening the car door, make sure you wear the leash and its collar. Do not let him get out of the car alone, remember that you can get disoriented if there are noises from other cars or other dogs.
We hope that the information we have prepared in this post will be useful for you when you want to travel with dog in car.
Keep in mind that with careful preparation and taking all necessary precautions and advice in this post, we can guarantee that travel with dog in car will be a pleasant experience that you will always want to repeat.