Road trips with dogs: tips and essentials

If hitting the open road with your furry best friend by your side sounds like your idea of doggy heaven, then you’ve probably considered a road trip with your dog at least a few times. As an experienced pet parent, you’ll know that it’s a whole lot simpler to leave your pooch at home in the hands of a loving pet sitter, but if you can’t get a road trip with dogs off your mind, we’re here to help you prep ahead. Below find tips for road trips with dogs, and how to travel with a dog in a car - all with keeping your pup safe, happy and calm in mind.

Dog road trip essentials

As a seasoned pet parent, you’ll know that a road trip with a dog will take just a tad more forward-thinking than if you were going it alone. Aside from your own gizmos and gadgets, here are a few essentials you could consider bringing along for the ride. 

• Safety harness seatbelt. The first and most important thing you’ll need to think about when planning a road trip with a dog is how you’ll safely secure them in your vehicle. While heads hanging out of windows (and tongues joyfully flapping about in the wind) might look endearing, it’s actually incredibly unsafe. So, shop around for a safety harness seat belt that’s been crash tested so you can drive safe in the knowledge your pooch will be secure throughout the journey.
• Health certificates. Depending on the length of your road trip, you might be crossing state or even country borders. So to make sure you’re allowed through at all points, carry your pup’s most recent health certificates with you - they should detail all of the vaccines your dog has had. To get hold of the paperwork, simply make an appointment with your vet well ahead of your trip to get a print-out of your pup’s medical documents (and of course to make sure they’ve had all the vaccines they need!).
• Food and snacks. You’ll know that it takes time and patience to find the right dog food for our furry best friends - getting the right mix to suit their age, breed, stomachs and general health is a must. So, well ahead of your trip, be sure to stock-up on all the food they’ll need for the entirety of your trip. Along with food and water bowls, a road trip with dogs would never be complete without treats, so remember those, too.
• Medication. It’s common sense to bring your pup’s medication along with you, but it’s definitely worth packing an extra week or so, just in case you get stuck somewhere. And if you know your pooch is prone to car sickness, speak to your vet about any medication or natural supplements that might ease it.
• Trackers and identification. With a furry friend already under your wing, you’ll have your own way of keeping track of your pup when you’re out and about. And if you haven’t thought about investing in something like a GPS collar just yet, it’s definitely worth thinking about - it’s one thing having a pup go missing in an area where they’re known, and it’s a whole other kettle of fish miles away from home. It’s also worth considering making sure they’ve been microchipped before driving cross country with a dog - it’s another layer of safety that’ll stand you in better stead of being reunited, should the worst happen. And at the very bare minimum, make sure they’re wearing a dog ID tag that includes your name and contact information.
• Canine first aid kit. A road trip with a dog should never begin without packing a first aid kit suitable for pets. If you’re road tripping with your furry buddy, they’re more likely than ever to encounter an injury or get inhabited by ticks or foxtails. Having the right kit along with you will make sure you’re able to keep your furry friend healthy on the road, or before stopping at a nearby pet clinic (it’s always worth noting where these are along your journey, too).
• Pictures of your pup. Okay, this isn’t a nice one, but it’s always best to be prepared for the worst, right? Accidents happen, so prep ahead and print out a wad of pictures of your pup with their name and your contact information detailed, should you need to track your pooch down.
• Long and short leashes. Thank us later for this one - having a short leash for getting your pup out of the car and finding a toilet spot will be super handy. Save the longer leashes for bigger walkies and runarounds!
• Travel crate. Planning a road trip with your dog has to be well-suited to your furry friend, so if you think they’d be happier inside the confines of a crate, find a travel-safe carrier that can be secured with a seatbelt, rather than having them exposed on the seat.
• Familiar smells. Hear us out on this one! Packing items that are covered in smells that chill your pup out (like t-shirts, blankets and of course, their bed from home) can help to make the car journey a whole lot easier for you, and more peaceful for your pup.

Phew - there we have it, all the essentials you’ll want to consider for a road trip with a dog (we didn’t mention poop bags, but we know you wont be forgetting those!). Here are a few other bits you might want to think about bringing, depending on your destination and your pup’s breed:

• Dog shoes - if you’re heading somewhere steeped in snow or where temperatures will be soaring, two pairs of dog booties will save your pup’s paws no end.
• Dog coats - this might just save the dreaded shake-off in wet weather!
• Grooming supplies - they’re vital if you’ve got a long-haired pup that’s likely to get tangled and matted on your trip.
• Anxiety vests - these might just make the car journey a whole lot calmer for your pup.
• Boredom-busting toys - car journeys can get a tad stale for our furry friends, so keep it interesting with a few toys that’ll stimulate their mind while in a confined space.

Tips for a great road trip with dogs

Along with packing all the essentials, there are a few other things you can do to make sure your trip runs smoothly. Road trips with dogs take a bit of forward thinking, so do everything you can to make it calm for your pup, and even entertaining!

Have a once-over with your veterinarian. 

A great road trip with a dog is all in the preparation, and as an experienced pet parent, you’ll know that any medical issues with your pooch can be upsetting, time-consuming and expensive. So, before setting the date for your trip, make an appointment with your veterinarian so that your pooch can have a once-over - not only will this ensure they’re safe for travel, it’ll also clear up any avoidable health issues that could easily ruin your trip. Plus, your vet can administer preventative care that’ll keep your pup healthy while you’re on the road and out exploring - this should include vaccinations for fleas, ticks and heartworm.

Take a test drive. 

You should never embark on a long road trip with dogs if your pooch isn’t used to car journeys, let alone cross-country trips that mean hours on end spent in the car. For all you know, car journeys could cause serious anxiety in your pup, or car sickness. The best way to approach a big road trip with dogs? Start them in the car from a young age, positively reinforcing the experience with treats and toys, while slowly building on the length of your journey.

Make sure your pup is used to new places.

Preparing for a road trip with dogs isn’t just about getting them used to being in the car. A long journey means heaps of new sights and smells, which is incredibly stimulating for our canine companions. To make sure your pooch is happy exploring new corners of the country with you, get them used to seeing new places locally first so they’re comfortable and feel safe with exploring new territory.

Tire your pup out beforehand. 

The last thing you want is an over-excited dog on your hands, just as your journey starts. The dream would be to have your furry friend drift off into the land of nod for at least part of your journey! To make sure your pooch is tired before you set off, go for a big walk, play a game of fetch, and engage in a few mentally stimulating tasks (like training and agility) - they’re sure to need a nap after this combination!

Make enough space.

Just like us humans, our pups need enough room to spread out and get comfortable during long journeys. So, avoid cramming other items you’re packing right next to your pup - not only is this dangerous (as things could fall on them), it might also make them feel claustrophobic. To avoid all the above, secure your dog on the back seat and pack the rest of your kit in the trunk. 

Stop for breaks. 

A road trip with dogs needs to include multiple stops - plan these ahead of time and be prepared to take your dog’s lead on stopping, too. The last thing you want is an agitated dog while driving, so stop frequently for toilet and food breaks, especially if you’re traveling with dogs in your car for long distances. How often you stop on a road trip with dogs depends on the length of your journey and their feeding times, so we’ll leave that up to you. One thing that would be great though, is mapping out any local dog parks on your route - this will give your pooch a sense of normality and of course the chance to burn off some steam before a few more hours on the road.

Toys, toys, toys.

Road trips with dogs aren't complete without something to do on the journey, so don’t forget your pup’s favorite toys. While stuffed toys might give them a sense of comfort and security, puzzle toys and treat-filled objects really do make for the ultimate dog-friendly road trip.

Plan dog-friendly activities ahead of time. 

If you’re planning a trip away with your pooch, make sure that it’s not just the car journey that’s been well-thought out! It’s always a good idea to suss out the pet-friendly areas (like pubs and restaurants), as well as national parks where you can both let off steam and soak up the local views.

Planning to fly with your dog?

You probably already know that flying with a dog isn’t exactly ideal - there’s a whole lot of planning involved, and the flight itself can be incredibly uncomfortable for your furry friend. With that said though, there are times where it’s inevitable (like moving home, for example), so find out if flying with a dog is right for you, and get clued-up on everything you’ll need to know before booking.