If you’re rounding up the family for a road trip, you might think about bringing the furry members of the clan along. Planning a pet-friendly vacation isn’t necessarily easy, though. Dogs and cats aren’t always so keen on long drives, so we’ve rounded up a few tips that’ll help them pass the time and feel at home on the highway.
Making Fido Feel at Home
“Bring anything that smells like home or reminds them of home,” says Dr. Gregory Hammer, the former president of the American Veterinary Medical Association and a veterinary practitioner in Delaware. “Being away from home and not knowing why can be extremely stressful for your pet.” He recommends bringing their bedding and the food and water they’re accustomed to, so as to avoid any digestive upsets that could be unfortunate for both them and the car. Most importantly, be sure they come home, too, by giving them effective identification. “I highly recommend micro-chipping ahead of time,” says Dr. Hammer. “We’ve recovered dogs that have got out of people’s cars… we’ve actually reunited some at our clinic that were lost on vacation.”
Beware the Flying Furball
When it comes to car safety, seatbelts are a no-brainer for us humans. But what’s the best way to keep your dog or cat safe in the car? Special seat belt harnesses are available for pets, but most veterinarians are partial to crates. Either way, just be sure you do something to keep your pet from turning into a flying missile if you stop suddenly or crash. “It’s nicer to put [your pet] in a crate than loose in the car, so that animal doesn’t end up on the dashboard,” Dr. Hammer says.
Keep Away the Carsickness
Pets are a lot like the rest of us. One of the less-charming similarities is that if we eat too much before a long trip the results may not be pretty. “Just like you wouldn’t eat a turkey dinner before getting in a car, you should feed him very little or nothing at all until you get where you’re going,” Dr. Hammer advises. But the real key to fending off carsickness comes in the preparation. Take some short trips to see how your furry friends react. “If it’s not used to riding in the car you need to take some short little trips ahead of time, down the block, 5 or 6 miles,” says Dr. Hammer. “If the first time you take off is the first time your animal has been in the car it’s not going to be a good experience.”
Treats to Pass the Time
“Cats are just going to curl up and say ‘leave me alone’ and an older dog is going to do the same thing,” says Dr. Hammer. “A younger dog is going to need some pacification like a rawhide.” A favorite chew toy can reduce stress and keep your dog busy for hours. Try stuffing some of his favorite treats inside a toy and let your dog pass the time angling to get to the good stuff.