Time For A Road Trip? 3 Tips To Make Sure Your Dog Is Ready For The Adventure
Posted on: 15 June 2017
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Now that the weather is warming up, it's time to start making your summer plans. If any of those plans are going to include a road trip with your dog, you'll need to make some additional plans. Traveling with your dog can be a rewarding experience for both of you. However, if you're not properly prepared, your road trip can turn into a disaster quite quickly. Here are three simple steps you can take to avoid problems during your trip.
Plan Ahead
When it comes to taking a road trip with your dog, the most important thing you can do is plan ahead. As soon as you know where you'll be heading, take advantage of various apps to plan out your stops along the way. You'll want to find as many pet-friendly locations as possible, including hotel accommodations, dining locations, and rest stops. Knowing the locations that will cater to your canine companion will help you avoid stressful situations that could dampen the enjoyment of your road trip.
Take Some Practice Runs
If your dog has never been on a road trip before, you'll need to make sure that it's up for the adventure. The last thing you want is to find out is that your dog suffers from car sickness once you're too far away from home to turn back. To avoid a sick dog, and a messy road trip, spend a few weeks taking some practice runs. First, start by increasing the normal trips you take with your dog. If your dog usually only spends about 15 minutes in the car per trip, extend that time to 20 minutes per trip. Continue extending the time until you can travel for about an hour with your dog. Once you can travel for an hour with your dog, without it getting sick, you'll know you're ready to head out on a road trip.
Visit the Vet
Once you've made the arrangements for your road trip, you'll need to take your dog to a veterinary clinic, such as Elizabethton Veterinary Clinic. Visiting the vet before your trip will ensure that your dog is healthy, and ready for adventure. It will also allow you to ensure that your dog is up-to-date on its vaccinations. Be sure to get a copy of your dog's medical records before you leave for vacation. If your dog gets sick on vacation, having it's medical records will help the emergency vet provide the proper care.
If your dog is going on its first road trip with you this summer, use the tips provided here to help avoid problems along the way.