Tips for traveling with senior pets

Is your favorite fellow traveler now a senior? Traveling with an older pet is possible and fun! You just need to make some adjustments. Here are our top tips for traveling with your senior dog or cat.

Wait! Who do you call old people?

You may not think your pet is “senior,” but cats claim senior status when they turn 11 to 14 years old. Small dogs are considered seniors when they reach 11 to 12 years of age. Medium-sized dogs become seniors at 10 years old. Large breed dogs are senior at 8 years old and giant breed dogs are senior at 7 years old.

When changes in our pets happen slowly, sometimes we don’t even notice them. But the subtle adjustments you’ve made to caring for your dog or cat at home will require a little more thought on a road trip.

Preparations for traveling with senior animals

Memories made while traveling with senior pets are treasured. And with just a few simple steps, you can make travel more comfortable and safer for your senior travel companion.

Consult your veterinarian

You didn’t need us to tell you that, did you? Before you travel with your senior pet, consult your veterinarian for suggestions on keeping him safe and happy. Also confirm that there are no necessary adjustments to your pet’s medications.

Set medication reminders

Packing, even for an overnight trip, becomes more complicated as our pets get older. If your vet has prescribed medication for your pet, set an alarm on your phone while you’re traveling to remind you of their normal dosing schedule. And don’t forget their usual medications like flea or heartworm treatments.

Schedule more frequent breaks

You might be amazed at how easily your trip goes if you take more frequent breaks. Yes, I know you want to get to your awesome destination fast. But stopping every two hours will help your older dog or cat enjoy the trip more. And you will also arrive less steep!

If your travel companion is a cat, you can use disposable litter boxes in the car. Each day, place a new one on the floor. Try one at home first, so your cat will find it familiar!

Get a ramp

Jumping in and out of a car every few hours can be tough on aging joints. So take a ramp. And take the time to teach your dog how to use it before you go on a trip.

You will find many options for pet ramps online. Look for one that is designed to support your dog’s weight and will fit in your vehicle.

LEARN MORE ⇒ Tips for choosing and using a dog ramp

cushion your pup

In his youth, your dog was probably well laid out on a concrete patio. But older bones need padding. And on cool days, hard surfaces can be cold.

So don’t forget to pack a simple pillow to make sleeping under the table in pet-friendly restaurants, wineries, or breweries more comfortable when traveling with senior pets.

Bring something familiar

All pets, but especially those with impaired sight and hearing, feel safer when around familiar objects. Along with all the other things you’ll need to pack for your pet, be sure to take their favorite bed or blanket so they have a comforting place to curl up in places they don’t know.

If your dog is used to sitting next to you in the car, but will be crated for safety on a long trip, put something in the crate that smells like you. You might not think your dirty socks are really a treat. But your pup who loves you will appreciate them. And one of the blessings of traveling with an elderly pet? They’ve probably outgrown the desire to destroy your possessions by chewing on them.

Schedule less strenuous time outdoors

Your older dog might still enjoy exploring. But watch out for all the struggles he has. As our dog, Ty, grew, he never lost his enthusiasm for hiking. But we started noticing that if our route included hills, Ty had trouble climbing them without stopping to rest.

Choosing less strenuous activities or trails with less elevation will allow you and your dog to continue enjoying your outings together.

Beware of extreme temperatures

Extreme cold and hot temperatures can affect pets more as they age.

We’ve seen that high temperatures and humidity sap Ty’s energy faster as he ages. So, in addition to looking for flatter hikes, we spent more time checking the forecast when planning our activities.

LEARN MORE ⇒ Cold weather tips for traveling with pets

Consider a dog stroller

Ty lived to be 15 – quite a feat for a Shar-Pei! But the older he got, the less he wanted to hike. That doesn’t mean we don’t spend quality time outdoors anymore! We also had a young German Shepherd who still needed his exercise.

Doing things as a family was important to us, so we bought Ty a dog stroller. If you have an older pet and one that still needs more exercise, this might be a good option for you too!

LEARN MORE ⇒ Best Stroller for Medium Dogs

Enjoy driving tours

To figure out how to give Ty a rest while entertaining Buster, going for a drive was another popular option for us. Ty usually curled up in his bed and slept. And Buster kept a watchful eye on everything and everyone we passed.

It’s a great way to see wildlife refuges, national parks, and other hot spots where dogs aren’t allowed on the trails.

In the future, I expect that tourist road trips will also benefit our young boy, Myles, and his older brother, Maynard.

To show creativity

Sometimes you have to think a little differently to find the right mix for your senior pet. It’s time to get creative! Here are some examples:

We once stumbled upon a campground in the Bridger-Teton National Forest near Jackson, Wyoming, and decided to rent a lakeside campsite for the afternoon. We hung up the dogs’ zip line, hung up our hammocks, unpacked the picnic treats, and spent a few hours enjoying the view. There were even trails where we took Buster for a walk!

Another time, we found a pet-friendly scenic train, where Buster got plenty of stimulation, and Ty was able to curl up for a nap.

When it comes to traveling with senior pets, you are only limited by your imagination!

LEARN MORE ⇒ All aboard! Pet-friendly scenic train rides

Keep traveling with your senior pets

Dogs and cats (and ferrets, hamsters, rats, birds, all pets) need enrichment every day. New smells and new settings can provide them with this.

But above all, they want to be with you. So take your senior pet with you on your next trip. Hopefully our tips will make this easy and fun.

Have you found other activities to do with your senior dogs? Share your tips below in the comments – we’d love to hear from you!

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