3 Tips for Successful Road Trips with Pets

Taking your pets on road trips is a fun summer pastime! And preparing for such trips can help them be more of a pleasant activity than a chore. Follow these tips for fun and safe summer road trips with your pets.

Tip #1: Make sure your pets are ready. Acclimate your pets to car rides ahead of time to make long road trips go much easier. Take short trips around town to help them get used to–and look forward to–longer trips.

Tip #2: Make pets comfy. Place a sunshade on your car windows to reduce heat for your furry, feathered or scaly friends. Choose travel crates that are ventilated and keep your pets cool, placing ice packs around or in their travel crates if needed. Spritz them periodically with water from a spray bottle as needed to keep their temperatures low and their spirits high.

Tip #3: Plan ahead to stop frequently. Dogs and cats need frequent bio breaks and time to stretch their legs, so make sure to plan time to stop at rest stops. Bring along fresh water and a bowl, and keep a tarp handy if you need to create a shady area for these stops.

Following these tips will help your road trip with pets go smoothly! For more great tips, visit the WebMD Pets site.

Tips for Safe Car Rides with Pets

The sight of a dog with his head out the window of a car is usually one of pure joy. Many pets enjoy taking trips around town and out on the open road, and taking your pet along on car rides is a fun activity to do together. Read on for tips to keep your pet safe during car rides.

Keep windows rolled down partially, rather than all the way, to keep your pets safe during car rides. Photo by Dognition.

Drive a car in good working order. It may seem obvious, but the first thing to keep in mind is whether or not your car is up for taking your pet for a ride. Cars in working order are best for pet car rides. Strong locks and windows that work keep your pet in the car, preventing them from escaping or falling out while you’re driving. A working temperature control system keeps your car cool during warm rides and warm during cold ones so your pet is comfy and healthy.

Use safety devices. Pet carriers, harnesses and gates help keep your pet contained in the car, keeping him or her safe. Free-roaming pets in a car can be distracting to the driver as well as unsafe for sudden stops. Confer with your veterinarian or check out sites like Pet Auto Safety to find a safety device that works best for you.

Keep your pet calm and comfy. Calm pets make the best travel companions for car rides. Make sure your pet is comfy in the car by getting him or her used to it prior to long rides. Place a mat or padding in his car riding area, and make sure you have water for him in portable water dishes. Consider covering the crates of nervous pet riders or giving them a holistic relaxant like Rescue Remedy for Pets just before you head out.

Keeping these tips in mind will keep your companion pets safe for car rides, long and short.