Questions About Traveling
By Car With Your Dog
Dear Scarlet..Is my dog a good candidate to travel with by car?
Most likely, yes. However, a small percentage of dogs are not cut out for car travel due to illness, age, car sickness, or problems with excessive barking.
What items should I pack?
It is recommended that you bring along a food and water bowl set, food, water, dog toys, a leash, a brush, a dog bed and blanket, waste removal bags, an old towel, disinfectant spray, disinfectant wipes, and a doggy first aid kit. Also, make sure you bring a picture of your dog, and a copy of his rabies tag, and license number, in the unlikely case that he gets lost.
What are some tips for traveling safely with my dog by car?
- Train your dog to ride in the car. Train him gradually,with short trips first. Use treats, and praise. Don't wait until the day of your trip to give your dog his first car ride.
- Use proper restraints for your dog when driving, for safety reasons. Confine him to a carrier, tether, or harness, properly attached to a seat belt.
- Take periodic rest stops so your dog can get a drink of water and go potty.
- Never open your car door unless your dog is leashed..Your dog may get scared and try to run away.
- Prevent car sickness. It may help to feed your dog 4-6 hours before you depart, instead of when the car is moving. If your dog does get sick, try feeding him part of a ginger cookie.
- Never let your dog ride in the back of a pickup truck. He may jump out or fall out by accident.
- Never leave your dog in a car when it is hot outside.
- Research in advance and find the right place to stay. Helpful websites with pet friendly travel information include:
BringYourPet.com DogFriendly.com, PetsCanStay.com,
PetFriendly.com, TripswithPets.com,TravelPets.com, PetsontheGo.com, PetVacations.com, PetFun.org, PetsWelcome.com. Also, we recommend you purchase , "Traveling with Your Pet", a AAA book that has listings for more than 13,000 pet-friendly AAA approved hotels and campgrounds.
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