Road trip safely with your pet!

How to travel safely with a pet in the car

A great way to experience the beauty of the country is to go for a road trip. This allows you to take in the sights firsthand as you travel to your destination. Many people want to bring their furry friends along, but it can be tricky planning a road trip with a dog or a cat in the car. Check out these travel tips to be safe on the road with your pet!

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Tips to travel safely with a pet

Check out these tips to make longer road trips more enjoyable for you and your fur-baby!

• Take shorter trips with your pet. Building up your pet’s time in the car before you set off on a long road trip can help them feel more comfortable in the car and help them settle down and relax.
• Keep your pet safe in a comfortable carrier or harness attached to a seat buckle. Letting your dog or cat roam around the car can be distracting and dangerous in the event of an accident. Make sure they are either in a carrier that allows them to sit and stand comfortably, or use a harness with a seat buckle to secure them in the back seat safely.
• Never leave your pet alone in the vehicle. Even if you crack the window, parked cars heat up fast in the summer months and keep cold air in the winter months, making it dangerous to leave your pet unattended in the vehicle.
• Pack a pet-friendly travel kit. Items to include are food, water, bowls, a leash, waste bags, medications (if applicable), travel papers (like your pet’s rabies vaccination record if you are traveling across state lines), a pet first-aid kit, old washcloths (to wipe dirty feet!), blankets or bedding, and toys.

Other tips to keep in mind when traveling with a pet is to be mindful of their feeding schedule and try to keep them on a regular schedule. Never feed your pet in a moving vehicle, as it can cause tummy stress, and try to feed them a few hours before departure to allow their stomach time to digest their food before they get in the car. You should also make sure your pet has a microchip for identification and always keep their collar with identification tags that include your number, address, and any other relevant contact information. Never put a choke collar on your pet while traveling. We recommend bringing bottled water for your pet to avoid tummy upset.

We hope you have a safe and fun trip with your pet! To schedule a service appointment before your road trip, come to Palmen Dodge Chrysler Jeep RAM of Racine today!