If you are like me, your pets are members of the family. People call me crazy, but I pack my four dogs and we cross the country. In our travels we have been to Florida, Texas, throughout the Midwest and wherever the wind may take us. So, I’ve written down some of my favorite travel tips to help you get started.
However, traveling with your pets requires some planning and organization. The first mystery you have to solve is if your pup LIKES to travel. If Spot bounces around the block in the backseat, a cross-country trip may not be the best thing. If your pup shows signs of significant stress, such as crying, dizziness, or panting, then he may want to consider hiring a pet sitter or finding a reputable kennel.
If you have a few weeks left before the big cross-country hike, you may be able to associate car rides with a good time. Take Rover to a nearby park, pet store, or even a few drive-thru windows on the hour. A few treats will go a long way to let Rover know that a car ride is fun! But, if he’s still getting a little stressed, you can buy some homeopathic stress-relieving tonics and stress-reducing tablets (for your pup and yourself).
Before you take off, make sure your pets have identification tags or microchips. It’s not uncommon for dogs to run around in unfamiliar surroundings, so be sure to keep a firm hold on their leashes!
Loose dogs in the car can be dangerous and annoying to everyone in the vehicle. Invest in dog seat belts, crates, or bars that separate the cargo area from the rest of the car’s interior. Nobody likes a seat jumper, or street kisser. Some safety measures can prevent Fifi from spilling if the vehicle stops dead or turns sharply. In the dog’s sleeping area, be sure to place a favorite padding or blanket to help him relax and hopefully sleep through most of the trip. Remember not to leave your dog unattended for too long in the vehicle.
There are several hotel chains that now allow pets in your room for little to no charge. When you reach the room, go into the room and turn around. Look under the bed for any foreign objects, including pills, etc., that have fallen under the bed. Having your best friend mistakenly swallow a lost medication can be disastrous. Most dog-friendly hotels are full of them, so don’t be too bothered by a Rover barking here or there. Dogs tend to calm down after a while and feel right at home. But, if one of my dogs is a bit “too talkative,” I’ll turn on the fan or TV to drown out any outside noise. Unless the dog is barking incessantly, don’t get too upset. A bark here or there will not be noticed.
For mealtime, I prep the food in individual bags before leaving the house. All I have to do is place it in the container. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have a huge bag of groceries in the car! It’s all in the dogs’ travel bag. Food, toys, leashes, cleaning supplies, paper towels, bowls, brushes, toys, treats, plastic bags, pain relievers, and poop bags all come in handy.
I even traveled with a cat across the country. Of course, cats do better in a cat cage. But they also love to travel. My cat, Bob, always said “Have kitty box, you will travel.”
Traveling with pets can be fun as long as you have a plan. I have hundreds of photos of my dogs in front of landmarks, in different states, and in comical situations. It has always been worth the time it took to plan to make sure you were with me on these adventures.