A road trip with Fido or Felix can be a great experience when you follow these 10 pet travel safety tips. Before you hit the road, make sure you have everything you need to make it a fun, safe trip for everyone!
Create a Pet Travel Safety Kit and Plan
Bring a copy of your pet’s current medical records and visit animalhospitals.com before your trip to familiarize yourself with the nearest animal hospitals in the area you will be traveling to. Packing a simple first aid kit which includes gauze, bandages, and hydrogen peroxide to induce vomiting is helpful to have especially if you are in a remote place. Don’t forget to pack your pet’s medications, vitamins and any other items you need to give your pet during your trip.
Pet Food and Water
Make sure you pack extra food and water to keep your pet comfortable during unexpected traffic delays. Always bring your own bottled water to avoid possible tummy troubles from local water.
Practice Makes Perfect
If your pet isn’t accustomed to car travel or to a carrier, break them in gradually well in advance of the trip by taking short trips during errands and used lots of praise to make it a positive experience.
Prepare for a car sick pet
Give your pet a light meal a few hours before you leave and them him minimally during the drive. During travel periodically offer small amounts of water. Offering ice cubes to lick work best because they are easier on your pet than gulping down large amounts of water.
Identification Tags
Ensure that your pet has the best chance of of coming back to you by having both ID tags AND a microchip. This might be the only chance you pet will find its way back to you should they find themselves in an unfamiliar area.
Know the Rules of your Destination
If you are take a road trip with your pet, keep in mind that not all rest stops and restaurants are pet friendly. If you cannot bring your pet, do not leave them in the car. It is NEVER ok to do this in any temperature, especially in the summer when the car’s internal temperature can rise to fatal levels very quickly, even with and open window.
If you need to run into a store or stop for a bite to eat, take your pet with you if possible. If not, arrange for your travel companion(s) to walk your pet or remain with the pet in the car while you are away.
Secure Your Pet During Travel
Always secure your pet in a hard sided travel crate while on the road. The crate should be large enough for your animal to sit and lie down in. Don’t forget to line the hard plastic bottom with blankets or foam for comfort. Once in, make sure to secure the carrier to the car, otherwise it can become a projectile, injuring both your pet and the car’s occupants.
Keep that Doggy in the Window
Avoid the urge to let you dog stick his head out of the window during travel. Road debris or insects can fly into their eyes, nostrils or windpipe and they can also become ill by having cold air forced into their lungs. Some dogs have actually been strangled by accidentally stepping on the electric window control.
Consider how the Temperature Feels to your Pet
Since your pet can’t tell you if he’s feeling hot or cold it is important to be aware of the temperature. If it’s cold enough for you to need a jacket your pet might appreciate a having a blanket. This is a particular concern in warm weather. Pets can overheat extremely fast so always have an open a window or raise the air conditioning to prevent overheating or dehydration. Make sure it the A/C is keeping the temperature comfortable for your pet in their crate, in the back of a large truck if you don’t have vents throughout your vehicle.
Take frequent breaks
Prepare to stop along the way for water, exercise and potty breaks at regular intervals. This tip keeps everyone happy!
Following these tips will help you have a memorable, SAFE trip with your pet!
These are great tips. I have two little dogs I would like to bring on vacation with me someday.
These are really great things to keep in mind. Thanks for the list of tips.
WE have to protect our pets. They can’t help themselves. I hate seeing dogs sitting in hot cars! =(
Our dog doesnt have to go with us on trips, thank goodness! My sister always takes her dog and loves it.
Great tips! Our pets are large so we don’t travel with him often.
Great tips. I always take my pup along. We use a thing called a pod. He loves it.
Great tips for sure. I will have to pin and save so if we do get out and travel I can look back on these tips!
I used to bring my dog’s crate in the front where she could fell the ac – the car I had back then had pretty much no circulation in the back, and I didn’t have kids so it was a no brainer for me
These are great tips! I never thought about pets getting car sick too!
We make frequent stops when we travel with our dog. We make sure that he gets to walk around and drink some water.
Yes, it is important to be prepared for a car sick pet. We took our dog on a trip once and he kept getting sick….not fun.
These are great tips- especially about the temperature- sometimes we forget that our pets are like infants when it comes to being temp sensitive!
These are great tips! We don’t travel much with our pets; but we did just do a big move with them and it was a little stressful for all of us. Having extra food and water is a must.
Great tips!!! Traveling with pets can be rough on both the owner and the pet. And can also make the trip take even longer.
Great tips… my pup loves traveling with us but has to be near the window… I never thought of having her info with us at all times but it is a great idea.
We have had to adjust all of our pets to car travel with short practice trips. We also like to let them play in and around the carrier at home prior to a long trip.
These are great tips. It’s so important to be extra vigilant when traveling with your pets. They’re like kids, except they don’t really understand when you yell at them to come back.
My goodness, my dog hates riding in carrier in the car! I had to let her out, and she furred my car up!
Great tips. So far we’ve never traveled far with our 3 furbabies but if and when we do, we will definitely follow your helpful tips. Thanks!
Those are great tips. We usually get a pet sitter, but I know our dog would love to go on a trip with us!
Great tips… I love traveling with my Fur babies and they always have to be buckled in in the car.. I want them to be safe at all times…will share your post with all my friends..thanks for sharing
These are great tips. One of my dogs always gets car sick and I have to prepare for that.
We traveled cross country twice with dogs and these are great tips! So true about the temperature. . . In warmer weather it was nice to have a portable fan to circulate the air in their kennels.
These are such great tips. I especially like the one about identification tags. I’ve heard a number of stories about dogs that get loose on trips and are found thanks to their tags and/or microchip.
Most all of us love our pets and they are family members. Your tips for car safety are very valuable. I don’t know what I’d do if our dog came to harm because I had failed to provide security for him when we travel.
My dog loves road trips! These are great trips for our furry friends!