I just returned from an extended cross-country trip with my 13 year old dog, Ari. She is, after all, my favorite travel companion. However, traveling with a pet requires some pre-planning, but it always makes the trip less stressful when a good plan is in place. Here are some ways you can ensure you and your pet are comfortable when venturing far from home.
Before you go:
Before we depart, I always make sure she has had a recent check-up with her vet. I would never want to subject her to extended travel if she wasn’t feeling up to it. This would also be the time to stock up on medications, preventatives, or supplements, and discuss any potential issues (i.e. motion sickness, anxiety, etc).
It’s also a good rule of thumb to have your pet’s vaccination status either saved on your phone or printed out as some lodging places have requirements for pets staying in their facilities, especially if you need to board your pet at any time during your trip. Groomers typically require this information as well.
Make sure your pet’s ID tag and/or microchip has up-to-date information in case you become separated. We also use an Apple AirTag charm for Ari’s collar because her Beagle nose sometimes means having zero recall when exploring new places!
When in transit:
Frequent stops, whether at a gas station or rest area, provide much needed time for potty breaks, short walks, meals, hydration, and mental stimulation.
Make sure your pet is property restrained during transit. Sometimes that may mean a crate or a harness/bed/seat secured with a seatbelt.
Never leave your pet unattended in a vehicle that doesn’t lock or have temperature regulation (several EVs now come with a Pet Mode option that maintains temperature and ensures your pet cannot accidentally unlock doors or roll down windows). Because we don’t have a vehicle with that feature, I purchased a simple stroller so I can bring Ari with us while still having her contained. It’s always a treat to be able to find a restaurant with a pet-friendly patio!
In case of emergency:
I always make a list on my phone of local 24/7 emergency vets and/or animal hospitals along our route and within the cities we stay. Thankfully, we’ve never had to use this, but it gave me peace of mind to know we had the info on hand.
Once, in a pinch, her vet was able to send a prescription for Ari to the nearest Walmart pharmacy while we were out of state. If your pet has a known issue, and a human-equivalent medicine can be prescribed by your vet to a regular pharmacy, it can save time and money (and stress).
Pet supply sites, such as Chewy, can also ship approved medications quickly to wherever you are. I’ve had to use this service when we were unexpectedly away longer than planned, and I hadn’t packed an extra month of flea/tick and heartworm prevention meds.
Our pets are cherished members of our family, so a little pre-planning goes a long way to ensure the entire family has an enjoyable trip. I hope these tips can help you too. Happy travels!