Traveling with your pets in the car doesn’t have to be an ordeal. We’ve rounded up the best tips from our pet travel experts to make every round-the-block and cross-country trip happier for everyone!
Do you have any visions of hitting the road with your dog? Planning an epic road trip with your cat?
Whether traveling with your pets in the car means stopping by the local pet store or embarking on a cross-country adventure, there are plenty of ways to make travel more enjoyable and safer.
Follow these tips and your pets will drive you to the car for your next adventure!
How to make traveling with your pets by car more enjoyable?
1. Stay safe, clean and organized
No matter where you are going, the very first thing to do when traveling with your pets in the car is to invest in crash-tested car harnesses or crash-tested crates or carriers. Not only will they protect you and your pet in the event of an accident, but they will also prevent your pets from running away and getting lost when you open the car door!
LEARN MORE ⇒ Prevent your pet from getting lost while traveling by car
Traveling with your pets in the car is also more enjoyable when the vehicle is clean and odor free. So protect your upholstery from fur, nails, splashing water, muddy paws and other messes with a seat cover or hammock back. They are easy to wipe down or remove and wash if needed. And some seat covers even come with built-in pockets that help organize your gear!
2. Build positive associations
For many pets, “going for a ride” translates directly to “going to the vet.” If all of your pet’s travels end here, it’s no wonder they associate car rides with stress and pain!
Whether you’re retraining your pet to enjoy the car or starting out with a puppy or kitten, start taking walks for other reasons. Here are some fun outings to plan with your dog or cat:
- Visit friends and family for a night out
- Have a play date with a favorite buddy
- Opt for a frozen treat
- Explore a dog park on the other side of town
- Take a day trip to a nearby park or hiking trail
- Head to the Farmer’s Market or other dog-friendly event
You had the idea. Start with short trips and increase the distances as your pet becomes more comfortable. You’ll know the positive association is working when your pets can’t wait to get going!
3. Prevent motion sickness
Pets with motion sickness won’t enjoy the ride no matter where you take them. And you won’t enjoy cleaning either.
As a general rule, you shouldn’t feed your dog a large meal just before you hit the road. But there are too many possible causes and solutions to pet motion sickness to cover in this article. For tips on preventing motion sickness with your pets, read What to do if your dog has motion sickness.
If the tips in this article don’t solve the problem, talk to your veterinarian. There are medications that can be helpful for pets with motion sickness.
LEARN MORE ⇒ Tips for planning a pet-friendly road trip
4. Reduce your pet’s anxiety
If you’ve spent time building positive associations and preventing motion sickness and your pet is ALWAYS anxious in the car, there are some additional things you can do to help.
First, consider that where dogs ride in the car can affect their enjoyment of the trip. This study, using heart rate monitoring collars to track changes in dogs’ heart rates, determined that dogs felt more comfortable when seated in the back with a view of their owner.
Of course, every animal is different! So if your dog or cat seems uncomfortable traveling in the car, try moving them to a different seat. And bring their favorite bed, blanket or toy for the trip.
LEARN MORE ⇒ Where in the car do dogs want to ride?
Then try taking your dog for a long walk before you go. Hopefully he’ll be tired and more likely to sleep along the way.
Finally, do your best to keep your pet in line with their normal feeding and exercise schedule while you are traveling. Sticking to a regular routine can help anxious pets adjust to the new travel experience.
If your efforts are still not fully appreciated by Fluffy or Fido, it may be time to reconsider your choice of crash-tested car harness or crash-tested crate or carrier. Perhaps the more secure feel of a car harness will help ease your pet’s travel anxiety.
Also keep in mind that some dogs are overstimulated when looking out the window while the car is moving. It’s possible that the more limited view from inside a crate or carrier will help your pup feel more comfortable. Just make sure you give him plenty of time to acclimate to the option you choose – creating those positive associations – before you start traveling!
LEARN MORE ⇒ DIY Hack – Stop dogs from barking while driving the motorhome
4. Plan for your pet’s needs
If driving long distances with your pets in the car is a goal, slowly increase the time you spend driving. And remember, for some pets, being quiet in the car is a lot of work. So be sure to have fun with your furry travel buddy along the way. That’s the goal, after all!
Before leaving, plan the stops along your route where your pet can stretch its legs. Dog parks and other pet-friendly activities let you both get away from the car. And if your dog isn’t comfortable around other dogs or you’re traveling with a cat, a private Sniffspot dog park might be a good solution.
Another option is to exercise your dog’s brain through nose work or other games. You may find that this tires him out even more than a long walk! And it’s easy to put the gear you’ll need in its luggage.
You can also find pet-friendly parks that you will pass where you can picnic together. Just be sure to check for ordinances that restrict or prohibit certain breeds if you’re traveling with a breed-discriminating dog.
LEARN MORE ⇒ What to pack for your dog for an overnight trip
More resources
Having pets that like to travel by car is quite simple once you put these tips into practice. If we haven’t covered all your questions about traveling with pets, here are some additional resources you might find helpful:
Pet Travel Essentials: Never Leave Home Without Them
Is it illegal to leave your pet alone in the car?
Why is my dog panting and drooling in the car?
Keeping cats safe in the car
My dog HATES the car – WHAT NOW? !
Best Crash Tested Dog Harnesses for Car Travel
How to make a pet first aid kit for your car
What to do if your dog has motion sickness
Crash-tested crates and carriers
11 ways to tire a dog out in a small space
Visit our Amazon store to learn more about the products we rely on to make traveling with pets easier, safer and more fun!
Good luck and waggin’ trails!
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