Traveling with Dogs
Oh how I wish it were warmer, isnt it APRIL?!? Thankfully despite the cold weather, I have a dog who could care less. Blizzard, monsoon or hurricane, Janey just wants to be outside. So I invested in a few warm sweaters and a good jacket and away we go. One thing I plan on doing this summer (hint hint Mother Nature!) is taking a few road trips.
Normally I wait until the night before a trip and grab whatever I can, hoping to remember what to bring. This time, I decided to have a plan to stick to prior to leaving. I started my list about a month before our planned departure.
Be sure to have an ID tag for your dog. Make sure it includes your dogs name, your name, and contact information. You may also want to put your vets number on the tag. I like having a secondary phone number just in case.
Buy a first aid kit for your pet. You never know what you’ll encounter, especially if youre traveling on the highway and have to let your dog out at various rest stops. They can pick up ticks, step on things that irritate paws or get scratched.
You may want to visit a vet prior to leaving. Ask about special vaccines. I focus on Lyme’s disease vaccinations because we spend a lot of time outside in the wild. Heartworm prevention medication is a necessity too because where there is still water, there are mosqitos. If you’re going to stay in a hotel, consider getting some flea protection also, as a courtesy to the establishment.
Be sure to bring an air-tight container with your dog’s food. You don’t want to have to switch foods while traveling because your brand isn’t available. Pack bowls and paper towels. A good rule is to bring a few gallons of water for the road. If you let your dog out on the way, you can be sure to have water for your animal. Put together your dog’s necessities such as the collar, leash, brus, toys, towels, plastic bags for clean up and medicines. An old blanket can serve as a resting spot for your dog if you go camping.
Have a basic plan together for eating while driving. You obviously cant go in for a 2 hour meal, especially if its too warm out. You can fast-food it, or just bring a cooler with lunch meat and easy to assemble foods. With a dog, depending on the age, plan on stopping every 4ish hours to let the dog stretch, get some water, and relieve himself.
** Did you know its estimated that on hot summer days the inside of your car can heat up to 160 in minutes? NEVER leave a pet in a car, even with the windows open, in hot weather! **
There are great places in the US to explore during summer with your dog. State parks and camp grounds are a favorite of mine. With a little planning, you should be able to have a great vacation and bring your dog with!