How To Transport A Dog Across Country
Introduction
You’ve got a lot to worry about when moving across country with your family. The last thing you want to deal with is trying to figure out how to best transport your dog along the way. Follow these tips and tricks, and your long-distance move will be more enjoyable for everyone involved—including your beloved pup.
Check the weather along your route.
- Check the weather along your route.
- If you’re planning a move with your dog or cat, it’s important to check the weather forecast for the destination city, state, country and continent. If possible, take a look at what the weather will be like in that area during springtime as well as fall (or winter). You’ll want to know if there are any storms or other natural phenomena that may affect your pet’s transition from one climate zone to another.
Additionally, you should make sure to check out where exactly in their new home they’ll be living within their new town/city/state/country/continent so that they can get an idea of how hot or cold it gets during certain times of year (this also applies if they’re moving between hemispheres). If they’re moving across oceans instead of continents then just look up info on how many miles away Mars is from Earth right now—that should give them some context about how far away Neptune is also located (since Neptune orbits around these two planets).
Be sure your dog is comfortable with strangers.
You should also be sure that your dog is comfortable with strangers. If you don’t have any friends or family in the area you’re moving to, take your pup to the groomer, veterinarian and pet store before the big day. This will help him or her get used to being around new people. If possible, visit the local dog park too—your dog may already know some of those dogs!
Keep a dog pack full of essentials.
Keep a dog pack full of essentials.
In addition to the necessities, you should also have a good selection of toys that you can bring along on the trip. If your dog is like most, they’ll get bored if left alone for too long and need something to keep them entertained while they ride in their crate. A few good options include Kong toys, which are hollow rubber balls filled with peanut butter or treats; stuffed animals; and squeaky balls. You should also make sure that their toy box includes some treats or special food items that only come out when there’s no one around (such as kibble). This will help prevent separation anxiety from setting in when you leave them alone in the car or hotel room at night.”
Give your dog plenty of exercise.
When you’re preparing to travel with your dog, there are some things you should do before the big move. You’ll want to:
- Give your dog plenty of exercise. If your dog is at all anxious about the trip or has behavior problems, then it’s especially important that they get plenty of exercise before leaving their home. This will help them relax and be less likely to act out.
- Walk them before leaving on a trip so that they can relieve themselves properly and not have an accident in the car while driving hundreds of miles away from home!
- Feed them well so they don’t get carsick (or even worse—get sick when they arrive at their destination). Make sure they’re hydrated as well; dehydration can cause nausea as well!
Prepare for emergencies.
Before you leave, make sure to have a first aid kit for your dog. It should include:
- Antibiotics
- Painkillers (pain can be managed with paracetamol or ibuprofen)
- Anti-inflammatory medication (e.g., corticosteroids)
If you have a pet sitter, make sure they are aware of any medical conditions your dog may have and bring along the relevant paperwork such as vaccination records. This will ensure that they know how to treat your pet should there be an emergency while you’re traveling.
Finally, don’t forget to keep up-to-date contact numbers on hand in case of emergencies while traveling – these can also come in handy if something happens when you arrive at your destination!
Consider a Sedative for your Dog
A sedative is a drug that will make your dog sleepy and calm, giving them less anxiety about being in a car for long periods of time. There are several different types of sedatives, but the two most common types used by dog owners are Benadryl and Valium.
There are several reasons why you might want to consider using a sedative on your dog:
- If you have a smaller breed or older pet who hasn’t traveled much before, then it’s recommended that you use some type of medicine to help keep their anxiety levels down during the trip.
- Most dogs don’t like being in strange places (like cars), so any medication that can reduce their stress levels will make things easier for both you and your pup!
Don’t let your dog off-leash outside the car
- Don’t let your dog off-leash. When you’re in a moving car, it can be tempting for Fido to want to go for a run around the block or chase after that squirrel scurrying across the street. But even if your dog is well-trained and he always returns when called, he shouldn’t be allowed outside of the car without a leash—and never in public places that don’t allow dogs (this includes parks). Even if you think your dog will come back to you immediately after chasing something, there’s no way of knowing what other dangers may lurk around the bend (and as much as we love our furry friends, we don’t want them getting hurt). It’s also important not to let him off-leash when stopped at lights or stop signs; make sure he stays inside until it’s safe for him again!
Know these tricks to make moving with a dog easier
- Your dog should be comfortable with strangers. If your dog has spent a lot of time around people, it will make the trip easier on everyone involved.
- Keep a dog pack full of essentials. This includes things like food, water bowls, treats, toys and leashes. You might also want to include some medication in case there’s an emergency during the journey.
- Give your dog plenty of exercise before you leave so that he/she doesn’t feel stressed by being confined in his/her carrier for long periods of time (it’s important to note that if they are allowed too much exercise prior to travel then they may not sleep as well). Also note: puppies cannot go into their carriers until they’re at least 8 weeks old or weigh more than 2 pounds–so plan accordingly!
Conclusion
Dogs are wonderful companions, and they can make moving a little less stressful. However, there are some key things to keep in mind. Take care of yourself, your dog, and your car with our tips above. Drive safe!