Dog-Friendly Travel Tips
We recently took our first trip with our rescue dog, Mindy, in tow - and we learned a lot! If you have a trip planned or are debating bringing your pup with, I’m sharing my favorite tips for traveling with your pup that I learned along the way. It was easier than we thought!
For all the details about our week in Breckenridge with Mindy, click here.
Bring paperwork in case you need to prove vaccinations (thanks, Dachshund Mom for this awesome tip!). If the hotel needs to see proof of rabies shots, or if there is an incident, it’s a good idea to have these printed just in case.
Make sure your micro chip information is up to date. Remember, if you’ve moved or changed phone numbers recently, now is the time to update their micro chip profile online. While you check their chip, make sure their dog tags are both up to date and secure on the collar, too.
Dog-friendly specific stops may be chaotic. While these stops are great because they offer dog-friendly amenities like fenced in parks and bag stands - expect a lot of other dogs. We used the dog-friendly stop in Colby, Kansas both on our way out and back, but we ended up keeping Mindy leashed and stayed away from the other dogs to keep her more relaxed. The change of scenery is enough to hype a dog up, so staying away from more chaos or potential dog fights is always recommended.
Pack enticing yet healthy snacks. Mindy gets some stomach issues when she’s anxious, so we boiled chicken for her to cut into strips in case she wouldn’t eat. We also brought carrots for her, too. Low and behold, this was her preference in the car vs. her regular kibble. These reusable bags were perfect for the pup snacks to sit in the cooler!
Pack a first-aid kit. You never know - even if you aren’t setting out for a huge adventure. In ours we packed: hydrogen peroxide, antibacterial pet spray, a bandage wrap, Pepcid and Benadryl. We kept this separate from our own first-aid kit so it was easy to grab and ready to go if we needed it. Be sure to bring their flea, tick and heart worm meds if they will be due to take them during the trip - skipping them is not a good idea!
Bring their jacket. If your pup has a coat, bring it along in case you encounter colder temps. Plus, it can also just be comforting to them.
Check with your vet for any high altitude concerns (if applicable). In our case, we were heading to a very high altitude for our whole trip, and we knew Mindy has a heart murmur. We double checked with our vet to make sure what to watch for if she had any issues. Luckily, she had no problem!
Locate a vet and an emergency vet in the area and keep their information handy. If there’s an emergency, you’ll want to get a hold of them quickly. Also note their hours and services so you know who to call when you need help.
Pack your travel friendly accessories. We absolutely love this water bottle on the go, and it even comes with a travel dog bowl. I also highly recommend this Lululemon Belt Bag as an easy hands-free bag to keep handy at rest stops, on hikes or just walking around so you have all the essentials on hand. It fits waste bags, a small bag of treats, my wallet and my phone perfectly.
Bring bath wipes for extreme adventures. We love these.
Use a car seat protector. We love using this in our backseat along with a turkish towel (or two!) for extra muddy paws. It’s so easy to clean when the trip is over and it keeps leather seats from getting scratched.
Pack their toys. Even though they’ll be busy, a comfort from home can help ease anxiety and remind them that they’re safe.
