Traveling with your dog can be great fun, especially if he’s used to being away from home and enjoys seeing new places. However, just like travel with family, taking a trip with your pet can come with problems. Making sure he has a safe place to eat, rest, exercise, and play when you’re away from home can be tricky and requires quite a bit of planning before you leave. It’s imperative to find accommodations that are pet-friendlywell ahead of time and to do some research to find out whether your pet will be welcome at your destination. Keep in mind that if you’re traveling to a different country, you may need paperworkfor your pet to be allowed entry.

It’s also crucial to think about what you’ll be doing on your trip. If you’re going to stay at a hotel but will be gone a lot during the day, it might be best to leave your pet with a friend at home rather than bring him along. If you’ll have to take public transportation while you’re there, or if you’re flying, you’ll need a secure carrierthat will keep your dog safe and a backup plan in case the mode of transport you choose doesn’t allow dogs.

Here are a few more things to think about when you’re taking a trip with your dog.

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Help Him Relax

Many dogs have anxiety when they’re away from home or when they’re separated from their owners, even for a short time; rescue animals often find it difficult to be in a strange new place alone. If you’ll have to be separated from your pet during your trip, even briefly, it might be a good idea to look for ways you can help calm him. CBD oil, for example, has been shown in studies to help both people and animalswith reducing anxiety; be sure to do some research online about the different productsand talk to your vet before beginning any new treatments.

Help Him Stay Active

Dogs need lots of exercise, so it’s important to make sure you can help your pup stay activeduring your trip. Do some homework before you leave and look up pet-friendly parks in the area where you’ll be staying. Also, if you’re going to a spot where swimming is an option, look for dog-friendly beaches or lakes. Camping trips with a pet can be a lot of fun, and you can take him along on hikes, but it’s crucial to make sure you’re prepared for his safety. Bring along reflective gear for him to wear, as well as booties to protect his feet and a portable water bowl

Plan for Stops

If you’re taking a road trip, keep in mind that your pet likely won’t be able to stay in the car as long as you can. Dogs need to stretch their legs and use the bathroom often, so plan for several stops that will allow your dog to take breaks. Make sure you have plenty of pick-up bags handy, as well as a harness and leash that will keep him comfortable when he’s outside. 

Prepare for Safety

Keeping your pet safe during your trip will take some preparation; not only do you need to think about the best ways to ensure that he stays on his normal schedule as closely as possible, but it’s also important to plan ahead. Have a copy of your dog’s tag in your wallet in case his gets lost, bring along copies of his vaccinations and paperwork, and get him cleared by the vet to travel, especially if he’s had health issues in the past or if you’re traveling by plane. Keep in mind that many dogs with short noses have trouble flying because the altitude causes breathing problems.

Traveling with your dog is a great way to have fun and bond with each other, but it takes a little planning ahead to avoid any problems. Make a list of tasks you need to complete beforehand so nothing gets left out, and talk to your vet to make sure your trip is advisable. With the right preparations, you can your dog will have a blast.

by Guest Writer Brandon Butler

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