Recently, my dog Link and I took a road trip to see my brother in Southern California. We stopped to explore along the way, stayed in hotels and at friends homes, met a lot of new people and dogs, and tried a lot of new things.
Just in the first couple of days, I realized how much goes into a roadtrip with your dog. So I thought I would share the ways I prepare for a roadtrip with my best friend.
Be Prepared
The first step is preparing for a roadtrip with your dog. What you pack will depend. It will depend on your dogs needs, the places you’re going, and the length of your trip. Here is my go-to list for all our trips:
- A first-aid kit (the more remote the location, the more supplies you’ll need)
- Enough fresh water for the duration of the drive, and something to drink it out of
- Treats & a treat pouch
- Walking supplies- leash, a long lead, a collar with their ID and rabies tags, and a light for nighttime outings
- Enrichment toys (for those times when you both need a break)
- A crate (for those that benefit from them)
- Enough food, plus a few days extra (and perhaps a cool dog food travel bag)
- CBD, or a calming aid for those anxious situations
- Their bed, a mat, or somewhere they can find comfort, both in and out of the car
- Toys for inside & outside play, including their favorite toy
Car Safety
I over prepare, which means I like to make the car the safest and most comfortable place for my dog.
The car is always equipped with a hammock, and Link always wears a seatbelt. This keeps him in his seat and out of the front seat. It keeps him safe in an accident, and keeps him from getting out of the car before I’m ready.
I like a hammock that allows for versatility as well as air flow to the backseat, and a seatbelt that I can attach to the headrest.
This seatbelt from Kurgo is designed to go into the seatbelt buckle, but if your headrests are removable you can attach it that way. The harness is totally up to your dog’s comfort, but I prefer one that has a full back and chest plate like this ones from Ruffwear.
Another thing to consider is your dog’s safety when they stick their head out the window. Some dogs love sticking half their bodies out the window as you’re flying down the road. Some never even look out the window.
If your dog is the former, be aware of road debris. It can get kicked up by cars and cause injury. You can choose to keep your dog from sticking their head out the window altogether, or you can be like our friends Luna & Ozzie and get goggles help keep their eyes safe.
Take driving breaks
Make sure to take plenty of breaks to sniff, potty, and stretch their (and your) legs.
Be sure to stop in areas that are safest for them to walk around in, and always keep them on leash. Designated rest areas have pet areas where they can sniff and relieve themselves, but they are often busy with people and cars. Rest stops are usually right off a busy highway, so be alert and aware of your surroundings.
Don’t forget safety for when you have to leave them in the car as well. If they’re in a seatbelt, that will keep them from jumping into the front seat or out of an open window.
It’s always best to park in the shade, allow air flow to get to your dog, and provide them with water, even when it’s cold outside.
Check out this temperature guide to see how long you can leave them in the car. Under ten minutes is always best.
Plan Ahead
Believe it or not, there are places that don’t allow dogs! It’s always good to have a ruff idea of dog friendly places during your journey AND when you reach your destination.
Even the most seemingly dog friendly places, like parks and beaches, could exclude dogs, so be in the know before you go.
Link and I found a lot of dog friendly places during our internet research, but arrived to some places to find that their rules had changed. It’s always best to contact places by calling them to find most up to date dog rules.
BringFido is a great resource for dog friendly places, and phone numbers are conveniently listed.
Link and I had a lot of luck at breweries, but also brought along some meals to enjoy at rest stops and park benches. We also learned that a lot of chain hotels are dog friendly, and get very excited to give your dog attention upon check-in.
We loved stopping at coffee shops for pets, bagel shops for cream cheese snacks, nature trails for sniffs, neighborhood parks to soak up the sun, mom & pop pet stores to spoil him, fruit stands to spoil me, and of course In-n-Out, where Link ordered a Flying Dutchman- no salt.
Rather than bringing Link along as part of my luggage, I made sure there was something for us to enjoy together every step of the way.
Link is usually pretty anxious in new environments unless he is by my side, so being able to do things together was essential, and made the road trip that much more enjoyable, giving us the opportunity to really bond with each other.
Supplying him with most of the comforts he’s used to at home made for a more relaxing experience for both of us. Every dog is different, so use your best judgement when planning your next road trip.
Author: Dena Vogt
Dena has worked in animal care most of her life, specializing in dog care. She and her RottenChow Link own & operate Adventure Pup in Bend, OR
I bought the seat belt Dena described. It’s great