Pawsome Pets: Travelling tails- Tips to make your pet comfortable on road trips

While it may seem to you that your dog might get uncomfortable on a long road journey, all it takes is a little extra planning to make him or her comfortable.

Some tips like going on short practice road drives, packing all the essentials your pet may require, and taking plenty of breaks while you hit the roads can all make sure your furry friend is also having a good time along with you. Here are some things you can make note of before planning a road trip with your four-legged best friend.

Just like you would create a checklist for yourself while packing for a trip, start with one for your dog too. Make sure to include a trip to the veterinarian doctor in that to ensure that your pet is up to date on all the vaccines and is healthy enough to travel. Include in the list all the items that are easy to overlook, including food, collapsible water bowls, treats, leash and collar, a couple of your dog’s favourite toys, vaccination records, flea and tick control and car seat or hammock to keep your dog safely seated.

Before you hit the highway, it is always wiser to go on test drives if your pet hasn’t been on a long road trip before. The practice trips will keep your dog’s anxiety away when you begin your real thing. Especially if you’re planning road trips that are longer than 6 hours, shorter trips will give you a chance to see if your dog suffers from motion sickness, or gets too anxious while in the backseat of the car. You can start off the car rides with visits to a dog park or a pet store so that your dog can associate them with something positive.

Make sure to include as many pit stops as you can while you’re on the trip. A good 15 to 30-minute break every three hours can be good for your pet to finish his or her business and also stretch. If you have a smaller pet or a pup, you may need to schedule your breaks to every hour, as your pup may have trouble holding his bladder for longer time. Time the breaks closer to your dog’s routine walking and breakfast or dinner times, so the routine remains unchanged.

In case you hit the break, your dog might lose his balance. So, it is always better to have your pet seated in the back seat of your car. There are several hammocks and car seat attachments that are available in the market to make sure your dog doesn’t slide off from the seat. Remember to not leave your pet unattended in the car, no matter how short the time period is. Make sure you and your pet have a fun time while you’re behind the wheel.