5 tips for travelling with a dog
Sally has always loved travelling by car, in fact you just say the word car and she gets completely over excited. She knows the difference between a short tip and a longer one and is completely ready to snuggle down and nap away the hours (taking up as much room as possible) and squishing everyone else sat on the back seat of the car.
However travelling with an animal is different to travelling with just humans and these are 5 of my tips for travelling with a dog.
1. Make sure your pet is up to date with jabs and medication.
OK the jabs part of this is probably obvious after all for most dog owners it is a yearly occurrence, but you also need to make sure your dog is up to date on things like flea drops and worming tablets before you head away, after all you don’t know what your dog may come in contact with, in a different environment.
2. Make sure your dog is secure in the car.
People choose different ways to keep their dog safe with travelling, from travel crates to seatbelt plugins to special harnesses. For Sal we use a harness, we have found she actually walks well on it and so it can be used across the holiday for keeping her both safe during the drive, to walking nicely as we explore the area. Check out Pets at Home for a great range of different ways to keep your dog safe while travelling.
3. Plan pee breaks.
Sometimes pushing through on a journey can be OK when everyone in the car agrees, however your dog doesn’t have a voice, so make sure you plan regular stops while travelling with a dog, where they can stretch their legs and have a toilet stop if needed.
4. Never leave them in the car on a hot day.
The day is hot, you fancy an ice cream and leaving the dog in the car won’t matter for a few minutes with it? All I can say is don’t do it! Would you want to sit in there for that long? The answer is most likely no so don’t make your dog suffer through it.
5. Know the area you are going to.
Research where you are headed before you set off, so you know what you can and can’t do. Take beaches some will allow dogs and some won’t. It will also make the holiday flow easier, as you won’t turn up to a place where you can’t all access.
What are your top tip for travelling with a dog?
*Written in collaboration with Pets At Home.
Great tips – not really thought about pee breaks! Mind you I haven’t had a dog for years. That migh change though as POD keeps asking for one!
Brilliant tips, we keep thinking about getting a dog…
Handy tips! We don’t have a dog but I admire people who take their dogs on holiday with them. It makes for a real family holiday.
These tips are very helpful. Great article….well written.?
Great tips for those who have a dog xx
These are some great tips. I actually laughed at #4 because this sounds so obvious yet so many people still forget it.
I wish I had a dog. All your dog posts make me want to have a dog even more. It looks like Sally has a great time with you when you are out and about.
Great post. My dog loves nothing more than to come on a journey with us and he’s really good in the car. Those are really handy tips for anyone looking to travel with a dog.
its a great idea been able to take pts but im unfortunate to have three german shepherds where they are to large
Such helpful tips!
I don’t have a dog so don’t really think about things like this but great tips! Especially about planning wee breaks!
Great tips. My dog HATES the car
Sounds very similar to travelling with children tips! Hehe!
We don’t have dogs at home, but I have always wondered how pet owners take care of their pets during their travel. These are some great tips to keep noted & it is good to see that dogs too have seat belts to make sure they are safe & in control.
Such great tips – travelling with a pet can be so much fun, we did it a fair bit with our dog but he is simply too old these day.
Laura x
These are great tips. I hate to see dogs (and children) left in cars when I’m out and about 🙁
Louise x
This is a great post. I often see dog’s left in hot cars and it is upsetting to see! Hopefully owners take notice of this post.
Alvin our pooch sometimes get car sick, so we always pack a towel and wet cloths
Great tips. We don’t have a dog but are considering getting one so I’ll remember these!
Yep, gotta plan the potty breaks for the pooch. 🙂 I agree wholeheartedly. Our poor little doggie years ago used to get car sick!
Great tips – especially number 4. That infuriates me and I often say something to the owner if I catch them doing so!
We do not have pets but those are great tips. For us it’s 5 kids! Kids and pets definitely takes quite a bit of preparation when traveling!
My dog is a terrible traveller, he starts to cry after a few minutes as he wants to be out 😉
I don’t have a dog but these tips sound a lot like the same as you would treat your child wouldn’t you.
Oh yes, never as in NEVER leave a dog inside a hot car even for a few minutes. They do not have sweat glands like people so it is difficult for them to handle hot environment. Thanks for sharing these tips.