Road trips are always fun for us humans. We like to have a change of scenery and change of pace every once in a while. Traveling with your fur baby isn’t any more difficult than traveling with a human baby. Both have diet and toileting considerations when out on the go. Every fur baby in our family loves to go for a ride with the exception of our little Mocha. She braves the treacherous car ride, all of ten minutes total, to come to visit us and have a play date with our fur babies. Longer trips with pets do require some planning ahead so that the trip can be comfortable and a positive experience. With warmer weather on the horizon and the end of school within sight, here are a few travel suggestions that will make it enjoyable for you both.
Make It A Happy Experience
In order to travel with relative ease, you will have to make your fur baby feel secure. The majority of canine fur babies love to go for a ride. Many food businesses will graciously give your travel buddy a treat almost making the trip worth it just for that reason alone. Seek out a few of those businesses in your area to frequent. But if the only ride your fur baby takes is to the vet you can expect some apprehension and resistance.
Our little Mocha was an abandoned stray when we got her. She has a panic attack every time she goes for a ride anywhere. Who knows why she is so fearful. Maybe it was due to being dropped off in the middle of nowhere that has her freaking out so badly. We only take her for short trips with happy outcomes or out of necessity. A chew toy can sometimes help lower anxiety and stress. It is a good idea to keep a simple one, preferably without stuffing to pull out, in your vehicle. It is critical to begin at an early age or as soon as you can taking them on short, fun rides. A positive association is built by doing so. This helps them learn some traveling protocol, feel secure, and become a great travel buddy. Making it a happy experience for them makes it a happy experience for you also.
Pit Stops
We humans need a pit stop to relieve ourselves and stretch after traveling for an extended amount of time. Our fur babies do as well. Rest areas are perfect for stretching and for everyone to do their business. Be sure to have a leash on hand. Even the best-behaved and obedient pets can be overwhelmed with the number of new sights and smells to investigate. Vehicles and other animals may be around in the same area and this will offer some control over an excited dog.
Porter is our family’s most traveled fur baby. Our second oldest daughter offered her tips in making many successful road trips with Porter. Exercise them well before you get on the road to use up some of their energy. Decrease their water consumption beforehand to lessen the number of bathroom stops you will need. Bring something soft and comfortable for them to lay on especially if you have an older fur baby. This also will protect your vehicle’s upholstery. Don’t forget to bring along a portable water bowl. One last tip to help your fur baby be more comfortable and have less frequent pit stops is to feed them lightly two to three hours before beginning your trip.
Accommodations
If you have to overnight with your fur baby you will need to find accommodations that will accept your pet as well. Click on this link for, “A Guide To Dog-Friendly Hotel Chains In The United States,” written by the American Kennel Club (AKC). https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/home-living/a-guide-to-dog-friendly-hotel-chains-in-the-united-states/. It is always a good idea to make sure that all vaccinations are up to date before booking any overnight accommodations. In addition to knowing where you can lodge overnight with your pet, be sure to bring along their pet carrier or crate for them to sleep in. Having their own familiar space will help our pets relax so everyone can get some sleep for the day ahead.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, there is nothing my Pepper Girl likes to hear more than, “Load Up.” Pepper loves going to the lake with us to swim and hike. As long as she is with us, Pepper is a happy girl. I am sure your fur baby feels the same about being with you. We primarily focused on car travel with your fur baby in this post so be sure to research out all the airline regulations concerning pets if you happen to be flying. I am sure there will be additional concerns to address that we didn’t cover here. I hope that everyone reading this will grab your fur baby and get out on the highway for a fun adventure. Traveling with your fur baby is a wonderful change of scenery and pace for you both! Enjoy a great weekend Sisters! Be blessed!