Road trips are a great chance to bring your family together and go on a shared adventure across the country. However, while parents and kids will come along for the ride, there’s a question you’ll need to ask yourself- should you bring your pet, too? It’s evident that if you’ve got a pet like a rabbit or a fish, tagging along is not an option. On the other hand, a dog is an obvious choice to bring with you- or so it may seem. In fact, it’s a little more complicated than that, so you need to think carefully about whether or not to take your furry friends along on cross-country road trips. Read on, and we’ll talk you through some of the questions to ask yourself before making this tough decision.
Does your dog deal with car trips well?
The first and most obvious, thing to think about is whether or not your dog will enjoy taking such a long trip in the car. Some love to get out on the highway, sticking their heads out of the window to feel the wind on their face. However, others tend to get quite anxious if they’re cooped up in a car for too long. That’s not to say that you won’t ever be able to bring them along on a road trip- it’s just a good idea to get them more used to shorter rides in the car beforehand.
Is your dog an outdoor pooch?
Road trips are an excellent opportunity to stop wherever you please and enjoy the great outdoors. You’ll likely end up hiking or, depending on where you travel, taking a trip to the beach. If you’ve got your dog with you, then you’ll want to be sure that they will enjoy the experience, and not find it uncomfortable or overly tiring. Indoor dogs may not take well to a road trip, so it might be best to leave them at home.
Will you be traveling over state lines?
Road trips allow you to explore more of our fantastic country, and many people take the opportunity to visit nearby states. If so, then remember that some states have different rules when it comes to transporting pets over state lines. Some require quarantine periods, whereas others ask for an up-to-date certificate from a vet stating that your pet is fit and healthy. While it’s unlikely that you’ll have to present this to anyone, it’s better to be safe than sorry- so pay a visit to the vet before your road trip.
Before leaving on your road trip be sure to update your navigation system in order to locate pet-friendly accommodations. For the latest updates go to Navigation Updates.
