August 19, 2022
Road Trips with Dogs
Road trips with dogs needn’t be stressful. In fact, with a little preparation, the journey could even end up being better than your destination. Ready to hit the road? Here are tips for taking a road trip with dogs.
Travelling safe
In many states, it’s a legal requirement to restrain your dog when driving. Whether you choose to invest in a good IATA-approved dog crate, which is suitable for both air and road travel, or a doggie seat belt that functions as a restraint in your vehicle and simply attaches to your car’s seat belt, it’s important to keep your pet’s safety in mind. In addition, if you are travelling with a larger dog, remember they require more space, so make sure you have a suitable vehicle to accommodate them. Moreover, it’s good to be aware if an incident did occur that your insurance company may not pay out if your unsecured dog causes an accident.
Book in advance
While the number of properties that welcome dogs have increased, there is a high demand for pet-friendly places to stay meaning that things get booked up fast. Whether you are staying at a caravan park, motel or hotel, there is usually a limited number of cabins, rooms, or sites available that are dog friendly, so to avoid disappointment we suggest calling ahead or booking online, as there is nothing worse than turning up tired and being turned away and finding another suitable place for you and your dog to stay. To find a wide variety of pet-friendly places to stay search specialist websites or buy a pet travel guide.
Flea & Tick Prevention
It’s common for managers of pet-friendly accommodation to require proof of vaccinations and flea treatments either before arrival or at check-in. If you don’t have them, there is a very real risk that you and your best mate won’t be admitted. It is a usual request that pets must have been treated at least two weeks before they turn up. It’s advised to always carry medical records along with you and your pet. Hotels and caravan parks may need to see verification of vaccines before allowing your pet inside.
ID Tags & Microchips
While travelling is fun, things can happen. Should your pooch run off, having a tag with their name and your phone number on will aid in his or her safe return. It’s usual for pets to be microchipped nowadays, not only is it a legal requirement in most states, but it can also help if they were to get out of their collar or lose their ID tags. The microchip can be scanned at a local vet and the staff will call you up to reunite you.
Final thoughts
Since dogs are members of the family, it’s unlikely that we wouldn’t take them with you on a road trip. We a bit of extra planning we can ensure the trip is a memorable one!