A family road trip just isn’t complete without Fido or Kitty in the back seat. Traveling with your furry friends can truly enhance a vacation, but it can also complicate one if you’re not prepared. From the lodging to the crate, there are so many important things to consider before you pack your pets and hit the road. Check out these seven awesome pet tips for road trips.
-
Make regular stops:
If you’re taking your beloved Fido on a long family trip, be sure to make frequent potty stops. You can’t expect dogs or cats, for that matter, to hold their bladders until the whole family makes a pit stop. You can, however, plan feeding and drinking times around your planned stop times to avoid accidents in the car. Making frequent stops will also give your pet a chance to stretch their legs and move around a bit.
-
Secure pet-friendly lodging:
Don’t wait until you get on the road to make reservations at a pet-friendly hotel or call to see if you can bring the cat to your family gathering. It’s common courtesy to ask your host weeks or months in advance if you can bring your pet to their house. Plus, you never quite know if the pet-friendly hotel you’re hoping to stay at will have any openings. Call ahead and you’ll avoid any unexpected lodging surprises or unhappy hosts.
-
Keep them secure:
As much as your dog or cat may love roaming freely throughout the car or sitting in your lap, it’s not the safest or smartest idea. One abrupt stop or fender bender could send your pet flying through the vehicle, hurting themselves and the passengers. It’s best to keep your pet safely in the back seat inside a crate or buckled into a seat belt attached to a harness.
-
Make sure they have proper identification:
You should never leave home without making sure your pet is properly tagged, especially when you’re traveling to an unfamiliar place where they might run off. Make sure your pet has been microchipped and/or is wearing proper identification tags on a collar. Your name, your pet’s name, and your contact information should be visibly printed on the tags.
-
Feed and hydrate before leaving:
Some pets hate riding in cars and they refuse to eat or drink when the vehicle is moving. It’s important to make sure your pet has an adequate amount of food and water at least three to four hours before departure. This planned feeding schedule will keep their tummies satisfied and hopefully prevent any unexpected accidents.
-
Make sure your pet is up-to-date on vaccinations:
Before you hit the road with the whole crew, make sure your pet is up-to-date on all of his or her shots and treatments and that you bring this documentation along. You may have to show proof of rabies vaccination at state lines or hotels.
-
Make the car feel like home:
When taking a road trip with your furry family members, be sure to take along comfy blankets, pillows, and toys that put them at ease. Try to make your car feel as much like home as possible by bringing their favorite items and treats. You, or the backseat passengers, can trade off petting your pets and calming their nerves while they rest in their crate.
No comments:
Post a Comment