How to Easily Travel With Your Dog
Just like people, some dogs enjoy hitting the open road with their human companions. Dogs like seeing and smelling new sights and meeting new people. While some dogs, and people, are more of the stay-at-home variety, sometimes travel is unavoidable if you are moving or do not have a kennel or pet sitter available. A little preparation and consideration for your furry friend can make traveling with your dog much easier.
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Things You'll Need
- Veterinary health records
- Crate or carrier
- Dog bed
- Supply of regular dog food
- Bottled water
- Plastic bowls
- Collar
- ID tags
- Leash
Instructions
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Choose your transportation carefully. It is best to drive when traveling with a pet. The Humane Society of the United States strongly advises against traveling with any pet by air. The organization based its recommendation on numerous reports of pets being killed, injured or lost while traveling on airplanes. If you must travel on a plane, small dogs up to a certain weight may be allowed with you in the passenger cabin. Check early to find out what health records and type of carrier are required by your airline. In the U.S., Greyhound buses and Amtrak trains do not allow dogs as passengers unless they are service dogs.
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Pack essential supplies, plus a few comfort items. It is important to keep a copy of your pet's vaccination and veterinary records handy when traveling, especially by air. Pack plenty of your dog's normal food because switching its diet abruptly may cause an upset stomach. Keep a supply of bottled water in the car, especially if you are traveling in the summer. Do not forget to pack a few plastic bowls for food and water and the dog's leash. Finally, throw in a few of your dog's favorite toys, including some chew sticks and treats.
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Restrain your dog safely and comfortably inside the vehicle. Larger dogs that don't mind being in a moving vehicle don't need to be in a crate or carrier, but a travel harness will keep your dog safe and secure. If you do put your dog in a crate, it needs to be large enough for the dog to stand, lie down and turn. Put a blanket or dog bed on the floor of the crate for comfort. Do not let your pet ride in the front seat because the animal could distract you and, if there is an accident, the dog could be injured by the air bag. Do not let your dog stick its head out the window, no matter how much your dog enjoys it. The dog could be injured by flying debris.
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Make plenty of stops for rest. Stop every couple of hours if you are traveling by car to let your dog go to the bathroom and stretch its legs. Rest stops, gas stations and restaurants along interstates and highways often have grassy areas nearby. Make sure your dog's collar and leash are securely fastened before you take the dog out of the car.
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Make arrangements, in advance, for your dog to stay at motels or in the home you are visiting. Research which hotels along your route and at your destination are "dog-friendly." If the weather is pleasant, campgrounds are an inexpensive and hassle-free lodging alternative for someone traveling with a dog. Finally, do not assume a friend or family is going to welcome both you and your dog, even if they have hosted your pet in the past. If you are staying in a person's home, make sure to ask permission for your dog to visit as well.
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Tips & Warnings
Every traveler's worst nightmare is his dog getting away from him in a strange city or at a rest stop along the highway. Make sure your dog's collar has readable ID tags with the dog's name, your name and a phone number. Getting an ID microchip implanted under your dog's skin is another way to ensure your dog can be identified if it gets lost. Have a current picture of your dog handy in case you need help looking for your pet.
Restrict your dog's food before traveling, especially if it has suffered from motion sickness in the past. Always provide plenty of water before, during and after the trip.
Do not leave your dog in the car alone on warm days. The temperature inside the car will quickly become higher than it is outside, and the dog may suffer from heat stroke even if the windows are cracked. Give your dog an opportunity to drink some water on the rest breaks.
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