The Best Way to Travel With a Pet Cross Country

Traveling with a pet can always be an adventure, especially if you are traveling long distances, like cross country. Following a set strategy will make it easier to take your pet on your cross-country trips, and once you have a good plan you will not have to worry about leaving your pet home when you travel. Having your pet along with you can save money on boarding and allow you to keep your pet as close as possible.

  1. Planning Your Trip

    • A cross-country trip with a pet must be planned in advance. Plan your driving days around the amount of time that you and your pet can handle being in a car. For an active pet like a dog, a daily driving time of seven hours is probably the maximum that you can travel happily. Plan each stop ahead of time, so that you can secure pet-friendly hotels or camp sites before you go,. Make reservations for each night of your trip before you leave, and declare your pet when making reservations. This will save problems in the long run.

    Having Supplies

    • To travel cross country, your dog or cat will need a suitable carrier. Buy a carrier that is big enough for them to stand up, turn around, and sit up comfortably in. Bring the carrier home and put it in your home with the door open so that your animal can explore it. Put a towel or blanket in it so that your pet will make a comfortable nest in it. Prepare other supplies. You will need a basic leash and collar, but include a harness, a long leash, an extendable leash, and a tie out for various walking and tie out situations. You will need a travel bowl for food and other for water. Pack several gallons of fresh water in your car, and pack an abundance of food that your pet currently eats. Include several chews or bones that your dog will take along time to eat, or several treats that you know will please your cat for a length of time.

    During The Trip

    • During each day of your trip, attempt to keep your animal's routine as close to normal as possible. Give them a small meal in the morning, walk them or allow them to use the litter box, and then pack them into the carrier. Stop at least once every hour and a half to allow dogs to go potty and get some exercise. Cats can travel for an entire day in a carrier without coming out, and in fact this is safest for cats because they can easily become lost if let out in an unfamiliar environment. At the end of each day, walk your dog or set up your cat's litter box, and feed them their regular food.