Road trippin’ with your fur babies

There’s nothing quite like a road trip to get life’s excitement levels up – windows down, music up, and endless possibilities ahead. But a road trip is an experience best shared, whether that be with friends, family or both – including those with four legs. Travelling with pets can come with challenges, so we’ve put together a Top 5 list to help plan ahead and keep your furry friends safe and comfortable.

Get them familiar with your vehicle

Any unfamiliar environment is going to heighten your pet’s excitement and/or anxiety, so it’s a good idea to get your pet familiar with your car in advance. Let them climb in and out to have a bit of an explore, then take them for a short trip just to get used to a moving car. If they seem stressed, use reassuring tones to ease their anxiety. Just remember to give them a treat after their first few trips if they behave.

Pack for their needs as well as your own

Just as you have your essentials for a road trip – charger cord, sunscreen, and all the rest – so too do your pets. A blanket will help keep them comfy, while a chew toy will keep them entertained. A roll of paper towels, a pack of wet wipes and a few plastic bags in case of back-seat accidents is also a good idea.

Stop regularly

Remember sitting in the back seat as a kid on a long family road trip – or even worse, as an adult? Cramping muscles and stiff joints are to be avoided if possible, so stopping regularly will give both you and your pet a chance to recharge. Stretch those legs, take a bathroom break, and reset your focus before hitting the road again.

Don’t leave them unattended

This should go unsaid, but cars can get really hot in summer. Even if you are road tripping in milder weather, your pet could get separation anxiety if you’re away too long. You don’t want your pet’s nerves to result in a chewed headrest or the centre console all scratched to bits.

Safety first

Although safety restraints for pets are not strictly required by law, they are a good idea. Depending on the size of the pet and the size of your vehicle, a carrier will help keep them from moving around the car. If your pet is bigger in stature, a cargo barrier between the front and back seats will prevent Fido from becoming your unexpected co-pilot.

Bonus: Keep their head inside the car!

Head out the window, ears and tongue flapping in the wind – it’s a doggo’s paradise, or so we’ve been led to believe. But an errant stone kicked up by a stock truck can send both you and your beloved companion to the vet with an expensive bill, or even lead to permanent damage. Open the window to ensure air flow but keep their head inside. You wouldn’t let a kid dangle their head out the window, would you?

With these handy tips your next trip with your pets will be a walk in the park. Or a stroll by the beach. The possibilities are endless.