Driving with Dogs: How to Keep Your Best Friends Safe on a Long Trip

Do you want to travel, but can’t leave without your dog?

We all love going on a road trip. Taking your time to reach your destination while looking at the sea of trees or the highway is always a delightful experience. Sometimes, traveling alone can be lonesome, so what do you do?

You go on a road trip with your dog, of course! Dogs are members of the family and traveling with them is fun and a good experience for everyone involved. However, if you are driving with dogs, you need to secure them if they aren’t used to traveling.

These are our safety traveling tips with your dog. Read on what we have below and learn more.

1. Seat Belts First

Seat belts do more than prevent us from flying out of the car. These also prevent your dog from hitting the windshield during a sudden stop. Use a dog harness to keep your dog safe and secure in one spot.

Remember to get a harness that fits your dog well. A harness that’s too big won’t do well in keeping them in place. One that’s too small will only suffocate your dog.

Aside from a dog harness, you can also use Zipline Harness. These are for young and active dogs that cannot settle in one spot and like to move around. Make sure to use the zipline harness along with a dog harness to ensure their safety.

2. Give Them a Treat

Going on a trip is never complete without food. Packing food saves you money and is healthier because you can choose what to eat. So, make sure to pack some treats and, if you’re driving with dogs, don’t forget to bring treats for them, too.

A car ride is a happy experience for your best friend, so don’t forget to pack necessities for you and them. As you have to keep your eyes on the road, avoid feeding them while driving. An alternative is bringing toys and bedding with you to keep them busy and happy on the trip.

However, still bring plenty of water, a bowl, and treats. There are plenty of snacks to choose from when it comes to dog treats. Make sure to bring healthy snacks to share with your dog when going on a road trip.

3. Keep Some Medicine Handy

Humans are not the only ones that can have motion sickness because your pooch can have it too. Dog motion sickness is real and can make trips unpleasant and stressful for you and your pooch. So, don’t forget to keep some motion sickness medicine handy.

Puppies and young dogs are more prone to dog motion sickness than older dogs. This is because the ear structure is not fully developed for puppies and young dogs. Don’t worry, though, because as our beloved canine companion grows older, they will outgrow dog motion sickness.

Avoid seeing your dog treats whole along with vomit. Ask your vet for anti-nausea medications and keep your dog happy.

4. Schedule Plenty of Stops

Whether your dog is an athlete, big, or small in build, they need to stretch their legs. Plan your stops every three to four hours give them room for stretching.

Having planned stops doesn’t benefit your dog from stretching. Your dog can also go to the toilet lessening the chances of them making an odor in the car. Also, your dog can burn some energy which allows them to get used to traveling.

5. Use Dog Crates

The safety of our dogs is important, and sometimes, their playful nature is too much. Ensure the safety of your dog by using pet carriers. Pet carriers secure your dog as you travel in a space built for them.

If your dog is small, consider owning a plush carry box. The plush carry box is perfect for small anxious pups. The elevated plush carry box allows you to watch your dog with ease and gives them a good view.

If your dog is big, confident, and relaxed, consider your car size and use dog crates. Dog crates are large enough to accommodate big breeds and still provide comfort and secure space for your pooch.

If the family is traveling with you, then you’re going to need more space. A good way to resolve the space issue is to put the dog in the back.

Remember to make a lot of room in the back as dogs will move around a lot. Give them enough space and they won’t be much of a bother for the rest of the trip.

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6. Always Keep the Head Inside

According to pop culture, dogs pops their head out of the car and bring their tongues out. It’s tempting to let them do this as it makes them look happy to do so. You should know that this leaves them vulnerable to eye damage from things like sand.

They’re also prone to hitting their heads on outside elements. This makes it important for you to keep their heads inside. If you want them to feel the breeze, open a crack in the window, but don’t let them stick their heads outside.

7. Keep Them Well Ventilated

During your travels, you will discover that cars aren’t the most suitable places for dogs. This is often because the inside of cars is too hot for dogs. Remember that dogs don’t have sweat glands like humans.

This means that they won’t be able to cool down as fast as we do. This makes it important to keep the inside of the car well-ventilated.

It’s also a good idea to bring water for your dog as they pant to cool down. Keeping them hydrated will help them avoid overheating during the trip.

Go Driving With Dogs Today

Driving with dogs is one of the best ways to spend time with them. Use these tips to keep them safe during the road trip. Take your best friends out for a trip today!

There is more to learn about driving with your dog and their safety. Check out our guides to learn all you can today!