A family road trip can be ton of fun, and bringing the dog can make it that much more special for you and your family. Whether you're crossing the entire country or simply an hour or two away, getting out and exploring gives you the opportunity to explore & make new memories with those you love the most. However, you're definitely going to want to make sure that you plan ahead a bit to make your road trip with your dog a seamless one, and not one that causes a significant amount of stress.
1. Get Your Vehicle's Interior Ready
It should come as no surprise that you're going to be spending a good amount of time in your vehicle on your road trip. Because of that, you're going to want to make sure that you can make the environment as safe & comfortable as possible for both your dog and the rest of the family! A good rule of thumb is that you always want to make sure your dog is contained to the back seat. This allows for the least amount of distractions for you as a driver, and allows you to safely focus on the road. There are some great pet seat covers that hook to the seat backs of the front seats, effectively containing your dog to the back seat. It also obviously makes the interior easy to wash, which helps minimize the amount of dog hair that ends up on your car seats!
2. Create a Potty-Stop Plan
For any road trip, potty stops are a necessity for the whole family, but when you bring your dog things can get a little bit more complicated. You are going to want to pick spots that are safe (and allowed) for your dog to be able to do it's business on your trip. A good rule of thumb is to find spots every 3-4 hours on your trip where you can at the very least have your dog on a leash for them to be able to go to the bathroom. It goes without saying that you should also be courteous and bring doggie bags to pick up and throw away any waste that they might leave behind.
Our personal favorite here is to try to find dog parks to stop at along the way. It allows the whole family to stretch their legs, and our dogs get to burn some energy during the day as well.
3. Bring Food & Medications
Even if you're only planning a day trip it's always a good idea to bring your dog's food & any medications that they need. Weather & plans can change very suddenly, and if you do end up needing (or wanting) to extend your road trip you won't have to stress out about what your dog is going to eat. For example, we always make sure that we bring our dog supplements for torn ACL recovery for our dog along with a bag of food. While your family might end up eating some yummy junk food on the road trip, you should always make sure that your dog stays on a consistent diet to avoid getting extra gassy or sick.
4. Have an Emergency Plan
It goes without saying that it is always good to have a plan for dealing with emergencies, especially when you will be in an unfamiliar area with your dog. Emergency veterinarians are easy to find as long as you have a smartphone & reception, but you're going to want to make sure you have a first aid kit available in case you need one. There are plenty of good ones for sale online or at local pet stores, and almost all the supplies inside of them never expire. Just make sure to check it over before leaving just so you & your family have the peace of mind in case the need to use it arrises.
5. Have Fun With It!
Some of the most fun we've ever had on road trips have been the ones where we aren't just making a beeline for our destination, but leave time to explore & adventure with the family. Traveling with your dog is no different, and this article wouldn't be complete without mentioning that your family road trip with your dog should be fun, not stressful. Plan on a few extra hours to enjoy going on a hike in a scenic location, visiting a local dog park, or whatever else you can come up with. The possibilities are endless, so have fun with them!
A little preparation can make your next family road trip with your dog a safe and fun experience. Before you leave, make sure you have everything your dog is going to need, create a navigational plan, and stock your vehicle with emergency supplies.
About the Creator
How My Dog Inspired a Career Pivot to Digital Marketing for Dog Professionals
Life has a peculiar way of throwing surprises our way—mine came in the form of a four-legged companion who not only changed my life but also steered my career into a new and fulfilling direction. After nearly two decades in the corporate world, I found myself disillusioned, yearning for a change that would bring deeper meaning and happiness into my life. As I embarked on my journey towards self-discovery as a digital nomad, my faithful dog was by my side, inspiring a career pivot that I never saw coming.
By David Hartshorne3 days ago in Petlife
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