{"id":667,"date":"2019-04-04T09:30:18","date_gmt":"2019-04-04T16:30:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/?p=667"},"modified":"2021-09-07T07:39:42","modified_gmt":"2021-09-07T14:39:42","slug":"road-tripping-with-your-dog-ultimate-checklist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/freedomgeneral.com\/blog\/road-tripping-with-your-dog-ultimate-checklist\/","title":{"rendered":"Road Tripping with Your Dog: Ultimate Checklist"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Whether you are hitting the highway to soak up the sun, or you\u2019re getting out there to visit family for the winter holidays, going on a road trip is always better with a furry friend. But taking Fido along on your road trip is not quite the same as taking along a human passenger. You will have to make sure that you schedule regular potty and exercise breaks, for example, and you also need to think about how you\u2019ll handle keeping your pup occupied. After all, they can\u2019t simply zone out to conversation or an audio book the way people can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But traveling with your dog doesn\u2019t have to be stressful. One of the best things that you can do to make this an excellent experience for you both is to be prepared. So we\u2019ve put together the ultimate checklist <\/a>to make traveling with your dog an easy experience. Here\u2019s what you need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Proper identification<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You never want to have your dog on the move without knowing that they have proper identification on them. Just in case your dog gets loose, he\u2019ll be in an unfamiliar area far from home. So be sure his tags are up-to-date with your information, and consider having him microchipped as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Vaccination records<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you plan to be at rest stops or parks where there could be other dogs or other people, bring your vaccination records with you. In a worst-case scenario, you\u2019ll want to be able to immediately prove that your dog is not a threat to anyone\u2019s safety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. A harness for traveling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your dog typically roams around in the car as you drive, consider getting a harness that attaches to a seatbelt for a long road trip. There are two reasons for this. First, your dog\u2019s safety. If you are in an accident, a seatbelt is just as important for your dog as it is for you. Second, you don\u2019t want to be distracted by your dog trying to jump into your lap or see out your window when you are driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Their brand of food<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many owners think to themselves that they\u2019ll just pick up a small bag of food when they get to where they are going. But dogs\u2019 stomachs can be more sensitive than you know, especially when traveling. Bring the food that they are used to so that you don\u2019t have to worry about cleaning up any messes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. A list of emergency pet clinics along your route<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you know where you are headed, be sure to do a little research before you go and find a list of all the medical facilities along the way that cater to pets in emergencies. You may not ever need this information, but it can make you feel much more at ease just in case. It will also be an excellent place to start looking should your dog get loose during a stop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Favorite toys<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Even if your dog is happy to just hang around you and take in the scenery, be sure to have a couple of their favorite chew toys or other favorites on hand. If your dog starts to get anxious, this will help calm them down \u2013 and will also ensure that you don\u2019t end up with damage to the interior of your car when your dog decides to start jumping around or chewing to ease their anxiety.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

7. Blankets or a dog bed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your dog sleeps on a particular blanket or has a dog bed at home, it\u2019s a good idea to bring it with you. The familiar smells will make them more likely to take a nap along the way. If you\u2019re worried about the smell or hair getting on your seats, lay down a clean blanket first, and then put down their bed or blanket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

8. A crate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are traveling very long distances, or you will be staying in a hotel on your trip, you may want to bring a dog crate. Your dog may not spend a lot of time in it, but you will want to be able to leave your hotel room at some point, and you don\u2019t want to leave your dog loose in a strange place. You also may need to put your dog in a crate when you are dealing with heavy traffic to keep them from distracting you. Finally, some dogs just feel more comfortable in their crates when they are anxious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

9. Plenty of water<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If there is any one thing to always bring with you, it\u2019s water. Your dog needs lots of it, and you can\u2019t always count on there being places to grab some in certain areas of the country. Be sure you have a bowl, or even a collapsible bowl, with you so that you can easily give your dog a drink anywhere, and carry a couple of extra gallons of water for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

10. A first aid kit for dogs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can always buy a first aid kit that will work perfectly, but it\u2019s not hard to throw one together yourself. First aid for dogs usually just means pulling out a splinter or something simple like that \u2013 anything more serious, and you\u2019ll likely want to find the nearest vet. But some things to include in a first aid kit may be:<\/p>\n\n\n\n