Wildebeest's Guide To Traveling With Your Dog
Aug | 26 | 2019
Dogs are part of our family, so it makes sense that we’d like to include them on the family vacations, too! While many pups love getting to travel with their people, taking preparations is essential to ensuring safe and smooth travel ahead. Whether you’re taking them on the ultimate road trip or a quick overnighter, these tips are essential to keeping your pup comfortable and happy through the miles!
Pack Their Favorite Things
When you take your pup on a trip they’ll be put into a new place with a lot of unfamiliar smells, so packing familiar things is key to keeping them calm. Bringing their prized blanket and favorite toys will allow you to create a “safe area” once you get where you’re staying, making their home-away-from-home that much more comfortable.
Always Check IDs
If you’ll be on the move, make sure your pup is easily identifiable just in case they were to get loose. Double-check that their microchip and tag information is up to date, and consider using a no-dangle ID tag to prevent it from getting snagged or lost.
Plan Ahead For Dog-Friendly Accommodations
While a perfect world would welcome well-behaved pooches anywhere, places like hotel rooms, restaurants, and even some outdoor spaces have policies and codes they have to adhere to. Research the pet policy of your lodging options before booking and call any restaurants or attractions you plan to stop at along the way to confirm their policy before you arrive. This will ensure happy travels without any surprises.
Tip: Utilize sites like BringFido and GoPetFriendly in your planning — they keep a crowdsourced database of pet-friendly lodging, activities, and restaurants for dog lovers!
Prepare A Dog First Aid Kit
“It’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it,” said every adult ever, and the same is true for your dog’s medical supplies. Hopefully, you won’t run into any issues as you rove the open roads, but assembling your own dog first aid kit and keeping supplies on hand for potential emergencies is always the smartest way to travel.
Keep ‘Em Busy In Transit
While water and treats should be limited to rest stops, bringing along a favorite chew or toy for the car ride is a fun way to keep them busy if they’d rather not nap. Bones, chews or favorite plushy toys will keep them occupied through the miles. Also plan frequent stops so everyone can stretch their legs, potty, and get some exercise to keep ‘em calm.
Don’t Forget Food & Water
A vacation is not the time to rush to the store because you forgot the kibble, so be sure to pack as much as they need plus a little extra just in case! Keeping their food and meal schedules as close to normal as possible will prevent tummy upset from ruining your plans. Have a travel bowl and treat bag handy to easily keep and dispense food and water on-the-go.
Wildebeest creates everyday essentials that help you build that special bond, share adventures big & small and make amazing memories with your Beest. We'll be right there every step of the way, with our gear & Wild4Life Warranty in tow, supporting you & Beest all throughout the lifetime of your companionship!