Is your dog joining you on your next road trip? Driving with a pet can be fun and safe as long as you do some preparation; to that end, read the following tips by Coast to Coast Synthetics in Goliad.
Have you ever brought your pet on a car road trip before? It might seem a challenging endeavor; however, it can be an enjoyable experience as long as you do some preparation to make sure your furry friend will be safe and happy to share a long-distance journey with you. So, if you intend to make a pet-friendly trip soon, this post by Coast to Coast Synthetics has some valuable tips for driving with a pet.
5 Top Tips For Driving With a Pet
First, Talk to Your Vet
Every dog is different; some love to travel, some get overly anxious, some have health conditions that make them unfit to travel. Considering this, you should determine if your dog can be happy and healthy on a road trip; to that end, talk to your veterinarian. Aside from giving your furry friend a health check, they can help you with needed arrangements for a trip if all goes well. If your dog isn't suited for traveling, your vet can also refer you to reliable facilities or pup-sitters.
The next step you should take is introducing your dog to the car's environment; to that end, take as many test drives as possible before the trip. These short training drives should recreate the trip setting, meaning that you must secure your pooch for safety. For instance, you can use a carrier with toys and a cozy blanket if your dog is tiny; equally, use a dog seat belt if your furry friend's size can't fit inside a crate. Pay close attention to how your dog reacts to the vehicle's movement; you should know in advance if they get motion-sick so you can talk to your vet about it.
Pack Your Pet's Essentials
Making a long road trip with your dog can be easier for both of you as long as you pack all they need to be comfortable. Thus, you can prepare a bag or suitcase with your dog's essentials a few days before the trip. First, you must consider that your furry friend might get bored throughout the journey; hence, include your dog's toys in the bag. Choose the toys that can keep your dog occupied for as long as possible, for instance, long-lasting chew toys or hollow toys with treats inside. Also, pack your dog's bedding, collar, grooming supplies, leash, medications, water and food bowls, waste bags, and cleaning wipes in case your dog gets motion sick.
Driving with a pet can be safer by choosing the most effective synthetic oil in Goliad for your vehicle's maintenance. Call Coast to Coast Synthetics at (361) 550-9073 or visit AMSOIL's online store to place an order on the top-performing products for your engine.
Take Breaks Every Few Hours
During the road trip, you might start to feel hungry, thirsty, or numb after driving for too long; well, it goes without saying your dog might be feeling the same way; considering that, make a stop at least once every couple of hours. Take 10 or 15 minutes to walk your dog around so that they can stretch, move, and release some energy out. Remember to grab some plastic waste bags to be ready if your dog needs to relieve itself. Before getting back to the car, take a container out and offer some fresh water to your dog so you can make sure they are hydrated. After a few minutes, both your dog and yourself might feel ready to get back on the road.
Finally, Keep Your Pet Cool
As you might know, dogs don't sweat, which means they can't regulate their body temperature as fast as we do; given that fact, you need to maintain a cool temperature inside your car throughout the journey. To that end, use your AC or place a cooling pad for pets for your dog to lie on.