Travel Tips
Ten Travel Tips For Traveling With Your Dog
This post was inspired by our recent trip to Florida with all four of our canine crew! We travel fairly often with the dogs, especially during the warmer months, and it definitely took a few trips to really sort out what to pack and what to leave at home. I personally believe it’s always best to be as prepared as possible for any eventuality, but you don’t want to overpack either. In addition to packing, there are a few key rules I follow when traveling with my dogs for everyone’s safety that I thought I’d share too, as well as some tips for finding pup friendly activities. For those of you that don’t travel often with your dog, here’s a friendly guide to making sure you and your pups stay safe, healthy and happy throughout your journey.
1. Research vets and emergency vets at your destination prior to leaving home
Hopefully you won’t need a veterinarian while you’re on your trip, but it’s always best to have their number on hand just in case of emergency. I recommend doing this prior to leaving so you already have them on hand and in the heat of a crisis moment you’re not frantically googling a vet. If possible, save their address and phone number so you can get there quickly in case of emergency.
2. Make sure your contact information on your pet’s id tag is correct and if your pet is registered with a microchip, check that information too
I strongly recommend that during your trip your pet has some form of id on their collar or an id tag in case they run away or get lost. Your pet may never run away while at home, but traveling can be very stressful for even the most laid back of dogs and their behavior may change. Correct information on their collar, id tag, and microchip registry vastly improves the chances of you getting your pet back if they are found!
3. Prepare a fact sheet about your dog with emergency information on it that can be easily accessible should something happen to you
This fact sheet should be stored nearby or with your dog’s belongings in a ziploc bag so it is waterproof and dirt proof. Include information such as an emergency contact, your regular vet, any behavioral concerns, and basics such as what kind of dog, their name, feeding instructions, etc. There is a company out there that makes tubes that can connect to a dog’s car crate to store emergency information as well, which I will link below. This is incredibly important for first responders in case of a car accident or other emergency so that your pet is cared for appropriately. I also recommend that if you crate your dog in your car you put signage on the dog’s crate such as ‘flight risk’ if your dog is a runner, or ‘nervous–handle with care’ if your dog happens to be nervous around new strangers. This way your pet can be handled appropriately should they need to be taken care of by someone other than yourself.
4. Research and double check that your destination and planned activities are dog friendly
Check online pet policies thoroughly before traveling, as some lodging has a weight limit and number of pet restrictions, as well as behavior guidelines. If the information online isn’t detailed or difficult to find, I recommend calling the place directly to clarify things. Some places don’t list their pet policies online and it’s often easier just to call and speak to a staff member to confirm things. Nothing would be more stressful than arriving at your destination to find out that they aren’t actually pet friendly! Don’t forget to check with any places you plan on doing activities at, as well as any restaurants you may want to eat outside at.
*If your pet is not a service dog that is task trained to mitigate a disability for you or a member of your traveling party, DO NOT advertise them as such to get them into non pet friendly lodging, activities, or restaurants. An Emotional Support Animal does not have public access rights either in most states, so even if your pet is an ESA they are not allowed into non pet friendly locations either.
5. Plan out activities ahead of time so you can pack appropriate gear for the weather and activity
Just like you would pack a swimsuit for yourself for a summer beach vacation, do the same for your dog. For example, if you are traveling to a very warm location, you may want to pack cooling mats, cooling vests, extra water, or even a collapsible baby pool. If you plan on having your dog swim, packing water toys and extra towels would be a good idea. If the weather is colder where you’re going, coats and booties would be appropriate. I recommend checking the weather ahead of time just to ensure that you’re packing the appropriate items. Even if a place is supposed to be warmer or cooler than where you’re from, the weather can change at a moment’s notice and it helps to be prepared!
6. Pack extra towels
Seriously. Pack the extra towels. You never know when you’ll need to give an impromptu bath or wipe down a muddy dog. Trust me, it’ll happen despite your best efforts!
7. Don’t change your dog’s diet when traveling and pack a little extra just in case you’re on the road for longer than planned
For most dogs, traveling is already stressful enough and it may upset even the strongest stomach. Don’t make it worse by changing their diet when traveling unless absolutely necessary, such as switching a raw diet to a freeze dried diet for ease of storage and travel. I only recommend adding pumpkin for upset tummies, which can be found at most grocery stores or even comes in dried powder form from some pet companies. Make sure that you pack enough food for as long as you’ll be traveling plus a few days extra. Measure it out to be sure, and either store in airtight plastic containers or a ziploc bag. Friendly reminder that kibble needs to be stored in a cool, dry place preferably out of the elements if possible.
8. Pack appropriate containment items for your dog
This means packing a crate or kennel, dog leashes, x-pens, tie out lines, etc. I strongly recommend that your dog travel in a crate in the car to prevent distractions and accidents. If your dog typically is crated at home, bring a crate to stick with what they know and reduce stress. I also recommend packing an extra leash or two just in case, and double checking your harnesses and collars for wear and tear before you leave. Nothing would be more stressful than a broken harness and a loose dog on vacation!
9. Pack or plan enrichment activities for your dog
Just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean enrichment has to stop! For many dogs exploring new places and doing new things will provide a wealth of enrichment opportunities, but it’s also a good idea to pack a kong or chew for days where you don’t take your dog out. A good enrichment toy like a kong stuffed full of frozen peanut butter can also help keep your pup calm and quiet should you need to leave them in your lodging for a period of time.
10. Try to stick to your usual routine as much as possible
Obviously your dog’s routine is going to already be massively disrupted by traveling, but try your best to feed them and walk them around the same times you usually do to reduce stress. Most dogs thrive on routine because they then know what to expect at certain times of day and the predictability is soothing. Just because you might find a change in routine refreshing doesn’t mean your dog will!
Overall, try to relax and enjoy your trip with your dog. Exploring new places together can be so much fun and is definitely worth it if you’re well prepared! I hope that this guide was helpful for you to plan your next trip; let us know if you have travel tips in the comments on our Facebook or Instagram pages!
Packing list:
- Food (enough for the whole trip plus a few days, stored in an airtight container)
- Medication/supplements
- Treats (especially if you are training your dog)
- Water jugs (especially if the water is not safe to drink where you're going)
- Dog bowls
- Collar with id
- Leashes
- Harnesses or other walking gear
- Appropriate containment (crate, x pen, tie out lines, etc)
- Bedding
- Towels (like way more towels than you think you’ll need)
- Enrichment toys/chews
- Toys
- Emergency information sheet
- Vet names and numbers at your destination
- Weather appropriate gear (coats, cooling vests, etc.)
Those tube things: https://www.thosetubethings.com/
Finding Pet Friendly locations: https://www.bringfido.com/