Though there are ample dog sitters and boarding facilities available to host your dog while you travel, there’s nothing like taking a trip with your beloved pal. While traveling with your pooch is always fun and calls for memorable experiences, you also have to take into consideration the challenges that are involved. But with the help of meticulous planning and preparation, you can surely achieve a safe and enjoyable travel experience for you and your pooch.
In this blog, we’ve rounded up some of the most effective tips that will help you plan a safe and happy trip with your doggo this summer. Read on to find out more.
Ways to Plan a Seamless Trip with Your Dog
Below are some of the most efficient ways for you to plan the best trip with your pooch.
- Pack Essentials
Whether you and your pal are going for a weekend getaway or just an overnight trip, it is always advisable that the following must-have essentials make their way into your dog’s bag.
– Toys
– Dog-Specific Water Bottles
– Travel Food Bowls
– Pet Food
– Treatments
– Treats
– Poop Bags
– Cleansing Bags
– Crate
– Bedding
- Plan Your Route
It is highly important you plan your route before getting on a trip with your dog. The potty and loo breaks for your pal should be planned ahead of time. Also, if your trip is a long one, make sure to include a dog park on the way where your pooch can stretch and exercise a bit.
- Locate Emergency Veterinary Clinics
While on a trip with your dog, you must have the contact details of a few urgent veterinary care centers and clinics along your route and close to the destination.
If you’re visiting your friends or family, make sure that they know of trustworthy veterinary clinics in their neighborhood.
- Seek Your Vet’s Advice
Prior to planning a trip with your doggo, it is important to check with your vet if your pet is physically fit to get on the adventure. The vet may conduct basic tests to determine your pet’s condition and prescribe any treatments if required during the trip.
- Get Important Vaccinations
It is important to check with your vet if your pooch needs any special vaccinations. The medical professional may decide on the vaccination depending on the geographical location of the place you’re going to visit.
- Get a Health Certificate
Once the vet gives your dog a green signal to accompany you for the trip, do not forget to get a health certificate stating that your pet is physically fit for the trip and doesn’t have any potentially contagious diseases.
- Update Your Microchip ID
Before embarking on a trip, it is highly important that you get your ID updated on your pet’s microchip so that it can be traced easily if it accidentally happens to get lost.
- Be Cautious of Motion Sickness
Similar to their hooman parents, even dogs experience motion sickness. Signs of motion sickness in dogs include whining, licking of the paws, drooling and yawning. Therefore, it is important that you keep an anti-motion sickness treatment handy to help your dog if required.
- Consider Using Calming Supplements
If your dog gets excited, anxious or scared while riding in the car, you may consider taking the help of calming supplements that work excellently to help your pooch during the trip. However, you must seek medical advice prior to administering any type of sedative, as the vet may not recommend it if your pooch has underlying health conditions such as heart or liver disease.
Ending Note
Remember that every dog is unique. Therefore, what works for one dog may not work for the other. So, you may have to closely observe your pal and adjust your travel plans accordingly. Travelling with your pet may get stressful, but you will have to be patient and calm. Remember that our pets pick up on our stress, so if you get nervous, even your pooch will get stressed and nervous.