Taking a Road Trip with Your Dog
Although its April, the weather in Chicago has been cold! In fact, we had snow yesterday. Good thing that I have a dog who couldn't be bothered with the temperature. Snow, rain, winds, Janey loves to go out. Like a good owner, I bought a few extra-warm sweaters and a good fleece jacket and we're off! One thing I love to do with my dog is go on road trips. Here are a few things to be aware of when you're planning on traveling with your dog.
My old way of traveling was to wait until the night before a trip and grab whatever I can, hoping to remember what to bring. The next time, I will have a plan to stick to prior to leaving. I am starting my planning about a month before the trip.
Get an ID tag for your dog. Make sure it includes your dogs name, your name, and contact information. You may also want to put your vets number on the tag. I like having a secondary phone number just in case.
Buy a first aid kit for your pet. You never know what you'll encounter, especially if youre traveling on the highway and have to let your dog out at various rest stops. They can pick up ticks, step on things that irritate paws or get scratched.
A visit to the veterinarian is a good idea if you're like me. I tend to travel to camp grounds and state parks, i.e. heavily forested areas. They are great places for ticks to hang out and land on your pet. Also, I get Lyme's disease vaccinations in case an infected mosquito attacks. As usual heartworm prevention medication should be administered in a timely way so your dog is ready for travel.
Bring your pet's food in an air-tight container. Pack easiy-cleanable bowls and paper towels. I like to be safe and bring a few gallons of water whenever I go on a road trip. Just in case I need a quick drink for Janey. Put together your dog's necessities such as the collar, leash, brus, toys, towels, plastic bags for clean up and medicines. An old blanket can serve as a resting spot for your dog if you go camping.
Decide what you're going to do about meals while on the road. You could do fast-food, or you could just bring a big cooler and plenty of ice. I like the later. That way I can find a picnic table and everyone can eat together outside, weather permitting. With a dog, depending on the age, plan on stopping every 4ish hours to let the dog stretch, get some water, and relieve himself.
** It is estimated on a warm day the inside of your car can heat up to 160 in minutes? NEVER leave a pet in a car, even with the windows open, in warm weather! **
There are great places in the US to explore during summer with your dog. State parks and camp grounds are a favorite of mine. With a little planning, you should be able to have a great vacation and bring your dog with!
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My old way of traveling was to wait until the night before a trip and grab whatever I can, hoping to remember what to bring. The next time, I will have a plan to stick to prior to leaving. I am starting my planning about a month before the trip.
Get an ID tag for your dog. Make sure it includes your dogs name, your name, and contact information. You may also want to put your vets number on the tag. I like having a secondary phone number just in case.
Buy a first aid kit for your pet. You never know what you'll encounter, especially if youre traveling on the highway and have to let your dog out at various rest stops. They can pick up ticks, step on things that irritate paws or get scratched.
A visit to the veterinarian is a good idea if you're like me. I tend to travel to camp grounds and state parks, i.e. heavily forested areas. They are great places for ticks to hang out and land on your pet. Also, I get Lyme's disease vaccinations in case an infected mosquito attacks. As usual heartworm prevention medication should be administered in a timely way so your dog is ready for travel.
Bring your pet's food in an air-tight container. Pack easiy-cleanable bowls and paper towels. I like to be safe and bring a few gallons of water whenever I go on a road trip. Just in case I need a quick drink for Janey. Put together your dog's necessities such as the collar, leash, brus, toys, towels, plastic bags for clean up and medicines. An old blanket can serve as a resting spot for your dog if you go camping.
Decide what you're going to do about meals while on the road. You could do fast-food, or you could just bring a big cooler and plenty of ice. I like the later. That way I can find a picnic table and everyone can eat together outside, weather permitting. With a dog, depending on the age, plan on stopping every 4ish hours to let the dog stretch, get some water, and relieve himself.
** It is estimated on a warm day the inside of your car can heat up to 160 in minutes? NEVER leave a pet in a car, even with the windows open, in warm weather! **
There are great places in the US to explore during summer with your dog. State parks and camp grounds are a favorite of mine. With a little planning, you should be able to have a great vacation and bring your dog with!
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