Planning a road trip with your four-legged bestie? Traveling with dogs can be a fun and memorable experience, but it also requires careful preparation to ensure your pet's comfort and safety. Here are some essential tips I learned from doing a 16 hour trip (yup 16 hours there and back) to Tennessee with my own dog!
1. Keep Your Dog Comfortable and Hydrated
One of the most important aspects of traveling with your dog is ensuring their comfort and hydration throughout the journey.
- Comfortable Seating: Use a dog seatbelt, car seat, or a well-ventilated crate to keep your dog safe and secure. Bring along your dog's favorite blanket or bed to create a cozy space in the car.
- Our favorite dog car bed for small dogs: BurgeonNest Dog Car Bed
- A great option for large dogs: Bnonya Dog Car Bed
- Regular Breaks: Plan to stop every two to three hours for bathroom breaks and short walks. This helps your dog stretch and burn off some energy. Some rest stops even have fenced-in dog parks!
- Hydration: Keep a portable water bottle and bowl handy. Offer your dog water at every break and ensure they stay hydrated, especially in warm weather.
- Our favorite dog water bottle: Kalimdor Dog Water Bottle
2. Find Pet-Friendly Hotels
When planning your stops, research pet-friendly hotels along your route. Websites like BringFido and PetsWelcome make it easy to find accommodations that welcome pets.
- Research in Advance: Book your hotels in advance to ensure availability and confirm the pet policies, including any additional fees.
- Amenities: Look for hotels that offer pet amenities like dog beds, treats, and designated pet areas. This can make your stay more enjoyable for both you and your dog.
3. Follow Pet-Friendly Instagram Accounts
Social media can be a great resource for discovering pet-friendly spots in various cities. Follow these Instagram accounts to get tips and recommendations:
- @dogfriendlyplaces: Showcases dog-friendly parks, restaurants, and activities.
- @pettravelgram: Features pet-friendly travel destinations and tips.
- @citydogslife: Offers city-specific guides for traveling with dogs.
If you are looking for area-specific accounts, those exist too! Some of my favorites include:
- @dog_friendly_finds_ct: Great for everything dog-friendly within Connecticut and surrounding areas. Also check out their app!
- @doggieroadtrippin: Covers all things dog-related in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware.
- @monmouthdognj: Join Brie on her adventures to dog-friendly events, stores, restaurants, and beaches in New Jersey.
- @pawsinthedmv: A dog-friendly guide to the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area.
- @dogfriendlynash: Explore Nashville through the lens of its four-legged locals!
Traveling somewhere else? There are plenty of websites and social media accounts dedicated to showcasing dog-friendly places. Just search “dog-friendly” and where you’re going!
4. Utilize Doggie Day Care Services
While you may find that where you are traveling is highly dog-friendly, there may be some places you would like to explore such as parks, museums, or restaurants that don’t accept dogs. Leaving your dog in the hotel room is a viable option, but if your pup is anything like mine, new places can be anxiety inducing - especially when left alone. Not to fear, doggie day cares are here to help!
When I was planning my trip to Memphis, I ran into this exact problem. I knew I wanted to tour Graceland - which is not dog-friendly but I also knew that leaving my dog in the hotel room for a good portion of the day was going to be extremely anxiety-inducing for her. So, I did some research and came across Camp Bow Wow.
Camp Bow Wow is a nationwide network of dog daycare and boarding facilities that can be incredibly convenient during your travels. The greatest part about Camp Bow Wow is that once your dog is registered in the system, you can take them to any of their 200+ locations across the US and manage reservations on the app!
If this will be your first time utilizing Camp Bow Wow services, your dog’s first day is FREE. My dog absolutely loved her stay at the Memphis location. The staff was extremely friendly, accommodating, and responsive. I was even able to watch her on the cameras through the app and I received a report card about her stay at pickup time!
5. Check with Your Vet
Before hitting the road, it's essential to consult with your vet to ensure your dog is ready for the journey.
- Health Check: Schedule a vet visit to confirm your dog is in good health and up-to-date on vaccinations.
- Destination Precautions: Discuss any specific precautions related to your destination, such as flea and tick prevention, heartworm medication, or any regional health risks.
- Travel Tips: Your vet can also provide tips on managing anxiety or motion sickness if your dog isn't accustomed to long car rides.
Bonus Tips
- Pack Essentials: Bring a travel kit with your dog's food, water, medications, grooming supplies, and waste bags. Don't forget toys and chews to keep them entertained.
- Emergency Preparedness: Have a list of emergency vets along your route and your dog's medical records handy.
- Identification: Ensure your dog has proper identification, including a collar with tags and a microchip with up-to-date information.
By following these tips, you can ensure a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable road trip with your dog. Happy travels!
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