How to Prepare For Your First Road Trip With Your Pet

How to Prepare for Your First Road Trip with Your Pet

Embarking on a road trip with your pet can be exciting, but it’s essential to prepare ahead of time in order to have a safe and enjoyable experience. Before your journey with your pet, our team at Fairway Knolls Veterinary Hospital in Bloomington, IL, can examine your cat or dog and make sure they are healthy for the excursion. For some practical tips to ensure a successful journey with your pet, keep reading below!

Prioritize Safety and Comfort

First and foremost, you can ensure that your pet stays comfortable and safe the comfort and safety of your pet by choosing a secure carrier or harness that’s suitable for their breed and size. Gradually introduce them to these before the trip to minimize their anxiety. If your pet exhibits anxiety daily, then you may want to speak to our vet about your options, such as calming treats or light medication.

Ensure that you have proper identification and documentation for your cat or dog by updating identification tags and microchip information. Also, carry copies of vaccination records and have a recent photo of your pet on hand.

Supplies to Bring

If you are bringing your pet on a multi-day trip for fun or to see relatives, it’s important to pack some essential items. Some of these include the following:

• Pet food
• Treats
• Water
• Travel litter box
• Medication
• Copy of the pet’s medical records
• Grooming supplies
• Waste disposal bags
• Toys
• Pet first-aid kit

One thing to keep in mind is to never leave your pets unattended in your vehicle, as the weather can be detrimental to their health.

Pet-Friendly Lodging

While on your trip, you’ll also need to stop to rest and sleep, so we would recommend to research pet-friendly rest areas and parks. These will help your furry friend get some exercise and take bathroom breaks, however, make sure that pets are welcome and read any pet policies for restrictions.

Contact us for an Appointment Today!

With proper preparation and consideration, your first road trip with pet can be a memorable and enjoyable experience. At Fairway Knolls Veterinary Hospital in Bloomington, IL, we can help you with your preparations by microchipping your pet before you travel. To learn more or to request an appointment with your pet's vet, feel free to fill out our online form or call us at (309) 663-1414.