A trip by car with a dog is an excellent adventure, an opportunity to see new places together with a pet and to visit interesting sights along the road, and also plan the route and time of arrival to your destination by yourself.
However, sometimes it is not so simple. Traveling by car with a dog needs to be thought through in advance in order to easily bypass all the pitfalls. This is exactly what this article will help you with!
Here you will find all the necessary information about traveling on your own car with a dog. The advantages and disadvantages of such a trip are listed, recommendations for preparing, compiling the route and things to take with you are present. Also, useful tips and safety rules are given along the way.
Not all dogs are ideal passengers, but it is worth making only a few preparatory steps, to take simple precautions, and the trip with a dog in the car will pass as smoothly as possible.
Preparing for a trip
The dog should get used to the car in advance. She should be taken inside for a few minutes, first giving the opportunity to just stay inside, sniff, consider the space, and then make short trips. So four-legged animals adapt to the sound of the motor and the conditions of traffic on the roads. It’s better if you put the animal in the car on its favorite bedding with the usual smell.
A strong leash and muzzle for traveling in the car are mandatory. They must be purchased in advance and kept constantly in the cabin or trunk, even if you do not plan to go anywhere in the near future.
When traveling abroad, the dog must be chipped and vaccinated in advance, having issued a special permission for departure and a veterinary passport of the international standard.
Do not feed your dog for a couple of hours before the trip. It is better if dog does not eat at all on the trip. Many dogs, especially puppies, sway and vomit on trips.
According to statistics, every sixth dog is susceptible to motion sickness.
Remember: the dog should not be scolded if they get sick in the car!
Water and a drinking bowl should always be available, and you should offer a drink at every stop.
You should also have disposable diapers in the cabin. They can be placed on the seat where the dog will ride, or on your knees if the dog is small and travels in the hands of the passenger.
You should buy special packs and a scoop to clean up after your dog. Using napkins and wipes, you can wipe the dog’s paws after walking in the rain or on wet snow.
For trips lasting several days you should buy a concentrate of instant porridges and canned food (or dry food). Stopping for the night allows the driver not only to feed the dog, but also to walk it.
Be sure to teach the dog the unconditional execution of the commands “sit” and “lie down” in advance. An animal should not create problems for the driver.
It is also desirable to have the dog’s favorite toys in the car.
Types of trips by car with a dog
As a rule trips to the vet is usual. They are not long, unless you’re in a remote area. Dogs are often driven to suburban houses — these are one-day trips too. If that happens the owner will want to walk a dog without a leash in deserted areas. Finally, there are long travelings with the whole family, and there is no one to care for the pet.
How to ensure the safety of the dog on a trip
All these trips in the car must be safe. Any stop suggests that the car should be left in the shade, and the window slightly open. The dog should not slip to the floor during a sudden braking, so it’s better to put a special net on the seats, allowing the animal to stay in its place.
In order to not have a sad experience of losing dogs on the road, you should remember: in the event of an accident the dog can be thrown out through the windshield, and only the fixation of the dog by straps (if it rides in the front seat) can eliminate this situation. But experienced dog owners are advised to accustom the animal to riding in the back seat or in the trunk (of crossovers or pickups). You can separate the front and rear of the cabin by a special net. The dog will be comfortable behind them and at the same time it will not distract the driver. In addition it is possible to purchase a special box for transporting animals. The animal feels comfortable in it, and most importantly there is no risk of injury when stopping abruptly.
Do not forget to take tick sprays!
Thank you for reading, and do not forget to apply for an international driving license before traveling abroad with your doggie. Animals feel the mood of their owners. Therefore the confidence in driving on the roads of the world is transmitted in the form of a good mood to your pets.
