Essential Checklist for a Road Trip with Dogs
Road trips and holidays are a ton of fun. Add a dog into the mix and you’ve turned the fun up to 11. An extra layer of canine may make for an extra layer of planning, but there’s no reason why you can’t view the process as a fun, structural opportunity. Think of it as a holiday with tighter parameters. More limited options will remove the overwhelming ocean of choice paralysis, helping you reach a decision sooner. Plus, the more you plan, the more momentum mounts in anticipation for your trip—right?
Dogs can’t ride shotgun, but they can travel in comfort and style!
Like young children, dogs are high-maintenance, and—to some extent—the trip will need to revolve around them. When we say ‘essential checklist’, we’re not just talking about packing your dog’s belongings. We’re talking about dog-friendly accommodation and dog-friendly car ride durations (with plenty of rest stops), as well as honouring your dog’s regular routine. Without further ado, here is the essential checklist for road tripping with your best furry friend in tow.
Read up on dog-friendly locations and accommodations
If you need a place to crash during your road trip, be mindful that a lot of accommodations (such as hotels, motels and inns) are often not pet-friendly. In fact, you’ll likely have more luck finding a pet-friendly Airbnb, so that may be the ideal place to look. Just as a vegan may ring a restaurant regarding dietary requirements, a dog owner should double-check that their selected accommodation will allow pets. The same goes for campgrounds and caravan parks, which aren’t always pet-friendly, either.
Once you’ve sorted your destination, you’ll need to plan the journey. Ensure to curate it with as many rest stops as your dog’s energy levels deem necessary. If you’re stopping for lunch on the way, ensure to find an eatery with outdoor seating that allows dogs. If you intend to break up the drive with nature walks, check that the parks are dog-friendly. In fact, ensure to check for similarly accommodating eateries and attractions at your final destination. There would be little point in bringing your furry friend if they can’t join in the adventure!
Wherever you are on your trip, it’s also worthwhile investigating surrounding vet clinics, just in case your dog requires medical assistance on the road.
Train your dog for a long-distance trip
If your dog is used to riding in cars, they will already have a head start here. For everyone else: you will want to train your dog before strapping them in for a long-distance trip. Travel anxiety will vary from dog to dog—as much as it does person to person.
With enough training, your dog will be road tripping in no time!
For travel training, use their kennel. This is a familiar ‘happy place’ that they associate with comfort and rest. In their kennel, they also have the capacity to walk, sit, and move around until they feel at peace. If your dog is kennelless, you can try placing them in the car with their favourite toy or favourite object. Forging positive associations with travel is the main goal here.
Pack your dog’s essentials
Now, onto the fun bit: packing your dog’s must-have items! What will you stuff your dog’s suitcase with? What are some canine car essentials? These things will vary depending on your dog’s temperament, anxiety levels, and overall needs, but here are some stock-standard suggestions:
- Dog food (including treats)
- Water (this may feel unnecessary, but long-distance travel can make for thirsty pups. Think of it as your dog’s drink bottle)
- Food and water receptacles (preferably collapsable, for travel convenience)
- Vet records (including records of health and vaccination)
- Pet first aid kit
- Dog travel backpack
- Medication as required (e.g. heartworm medicine, and flea/tick medicine). Speak to your vet if you’re unsure.
- Leash (and harness, if applicable)
- Poop bags
- Collar with ID tags containing your name, address, and phone number. It’s also a good idea to include a tag with your road trip destination address.
- Dog toys
- Crate or dog carrier (something of an extension from travel training)
- Doggy car seat and cover
- Car barrier.
Sunset Hercules chew toys from Stylish Hound.
If your dog is a picky eater or has a special diet, bring enough high-quality dog food to last the entire trip. There’s no guarantee that their dog food will be available in your destination. Although you can find most dog food brands online, you still want to make sure you have enough food for your dog for several days while you look for a store that delivers to your destination.
Don’t neglect their routine
One thing to remember is that a road trip or holiday will be a canine culture shock. Dogs love routine, and they may feel overwhelmed being hauled onto the road and into unfamiliar locations. To maintain some sense of normality, try your best to honour their existing routine. If it’s difficult to replicate the structure, at least keep certain certainties: most critically, the daily walk. If you’re in holiday mode, it’s possible this may not happen at the same scheduled time every day. So long as you are not neglecting your dog’s exercise regime, then that is the main thing.
If you’re taking your dog along to a social gathering or long event, be mindful of their stamina and bedtime, and ensure not to keep them out too late. Dogs are like young kids: they can have bursts of energy, but they can also get very tired. Try to honour their sleep schedule and their need to rest or decompress.
Dogs love exercise, but remember to keep your hiking to a dog-friendly duration!
Sometimes, on holidays, it can be easy to eat unhealthy food. Try to avoid feeding your dog rich, fatty foods, and instead use the nutritious supply as per the above checklist of essentials.
If you’re taking your dog on a holiday or road trip, there’s no doubt that this will shape a lot of your decisions, and that your dog’s needs will determine much of what you pack, what you bring, and how you approach travelling. With the right amount of preparation, you can have a fun-filled getaway with every member of your family—even down to your furry best friend.