We’re all dreaming of the day when we can hop in our car with our pooch and set off on a relaxing holiday. Perhaps we will hot tail it down to the coast to soak up the sun or head for the mountains to pitch up a tent and reconnect with nature. Wherever it is you and your dog are planning to do to recharge your batteries, read on for some useful advice on travelling together.
For most, the journey starts with a car ride. Not every dog is the perfect passenger and some suffer with anxiety and/or travel sickness when in a moving vehicle.
You may notice your dog will bark, whine, drool, pant or vomit once the car is moving.
It can help to:
- Get your pooch used to the car by taking small journeys frequently ahead of time
- Avoid a heavy meal just before you set off
- Keep the window slightly ajar to ensure a cooling breeze
- Keep your pet restrained in a carrier or with a seat belt to prevent them moving about too much and to keep them secure
- Spray calming pheromones on a blanket in the car
- Consider playing calming classical music (yes, really!)
- Take plenty of pit stops
In fact, pit stops can be key to ensuring a journey doesn’t become stressful. By providing lots of opportunities for your furry friend to stretch their legs and have a sniff around, we can prevent frustration. It is also a great idea to bring along a collapsible water bowl and small, digestible meals for them to snack on when out of the car. How long your dog can go between stops will depend on their breed and temperament, but the more stops the better.
