The Safest Way to Travel With a Dog in the Car

If you like to travel, you probably have a road trip checklist that includes snacks, water and entertainment for the long hours ahead. Do you have a similar checklist for your furry four-legged travel companion?

The safest way to travel with a dog in the car is to be prepared. Adding a dog to your long-distance trips doesn't have to be difficult. If you follow a few best practices for driving with dogs you can make the trip less stressful for both you and your dog.

1. Restrain Them

The safest way to travel with a dog in the car is to secure them in a crate. If that isn't an option, try a seat belt specially made for dogs. We've all seen a dog with their head lolling out the window as their pet parent zips along in the passing lane, but letting a dog roam around your car is not safe. A dog who's unrestrained in a crash could be ejected from the vehicle or injured by an airbag. It's also for driver and passenger safety: If a dog gets nervous or excited on the road and begins bouncing around the car the distraction could cause an accident.

2. Make Sure They Want to Go

While many dogs are excited about taking a ride in the car, others are not interested. Dogs can get carsick, become anxious or otherwise prefer to stay on solid ground. Take your dog for test drives before setting out on an epic road trip to gauge their comfort level in the car. If they are nervous you might want to consider finding a pet sitter or kennel for them instead. If you must travel together by car, talk to your veterinarian about possible solutions for car sickness or anxiety.

3. Prepare a Pet Travel Kit

Just like your own travel bag, a kit for driving with dogs should have snacks (dog food and a bowl), drinks (water and a bowl) and entertainment (nylon bones or a favourite toy are a good start). The pack should also contain a lead, grooming supplies, waste bags and any necessary medications. Your pup may appreciate a comfy blanket to rest on if you expect it to be cold or there is no dog bed in their crate. Need more ideas? Make a list and check it before every trip. Make sure to keep any food, treats or medication out of their available reach though. What you don't want is to wind up at your destination only to find out that you need to make a trip to the pet store to pick up more food because they secretly ate their trip rations in the back of the car.

4. Update Their Tags

The worst feeling in the world is to realise your dog has gone missing. Before setting out on a road trip — or any time you change your address — make sure your dog's tags are up to date. You should also check that the address and phone number on their microchip are current. You don't want to lose your pup hundreds of miles from home! To travel abroad in the UK, you will need to get your dog a pet passport which you can obtain from certain registered vets says Blue Cross. If your regular vet can’t issue a passport, they will be able to point you in the direction of one that does. In order for your dog to get a pet passport, your dog needs to have:

• A microchip (this is compulsory for all dogs in the UK even if they don’t travel)
• A rabies jab (at least 21 days before re-entering the UK)
• Tapeworm treatment (24- 120 hours before entering the UK)
• Up-to-date vaccinations
• Photograph

It is always a good idea to check country and local pet laws before bringing your dog with you to ensure you are compliant with all of the requirements.

5. Keep Them Hydrated and Comfortable

You might want to just keep driving to get to your destination as quickly as possible, but a long trip with no breaks isn't fair to your dog. Bring jugs or bottled water for your pet, and give them a water break — along with a chance to stretch their legs and relieve themselves— every few hours. Unless you're going on a multi-day trip, avoid giving them food during a road trip. You could easily wind up with a carsick dog. It's a good idea to plan out your stops in advance of your road trip to ensure that they will have amble grass to relieve themselves.

Doggy comfort stops can be an adventure all by themselves. Find restaurants with outdoor seating, take turns at rest stops and search for pet-friendly hotels. Never ever leave your pet alone in the car, even with the windows cracked. A locked car can quickly and dangerously overheat.

Finally, make sure your pup has a relaxed ride by keeping the car a comfortable temperature for them. You can open the windows if they are in their crate, but avoid letting them stick their head out since they could injure themselves. Never let them ride in the back of a pickup truck outside of a secured crate.

Feeling a little more ready to take on a road trip with your pup? Great! With a little preparation, you will both have a great journey and make lots of memories together.

Contributor Bio

Kara Murphy

Kara Murphy is a freelance writer and pet parent who lives in Erie, Pa. She has a goldendoodle named Maddie.