TRAVELING BY CAR AND STAYING IN A MOTEL WITH A DOG


Take at least one gallon of water from home with you for the 
dog to drink. Unfamiliar water can give them diarrhea.  Offer 
water at each rest break.  If you run out of water from home on 
the road, you can buy distilled water (but not mineral/spring 
water.)  If you are going to be away at one place for a long time,
start out with a gallon or two of water from home.  When down to
about 1/2 of the last gallon, start mixing in the new water with it.
 
Keep food to a minimum until you are done with traveling during 
the day (keeps vomiting to a minimum).  If possible, only feed 
the dog in the evening and not in the morning before driving.

Expect to stop every 1 1/2 to 2 hours to let everyone out to 
stretch out and potty.

Take LOTS of old cloth towels.  After you have used them to absorb 
or wipe up a mess, just throw them out or store in a plastic 
garbage bag to launder later.  Keep the spare towels handy to 
replace the soiled towels.

Old cloth towels or newspaper work well for lining the traveling 
carrier.  If your dog is prone to car sickness, bring along a bag 
to store the soiled newspaper in until it can be thrown away.  A 
spray bottle of disinfectant and roll of paper towels come in handy.

While traveling in the car, the dog should be in either a crate 
or use a seatbelt harness.  The restraints will keep the dog settled 
and also keep the dog from becoming a distraction to the driver.  
It is also safer for the dog and passengers not to have the dog 
loose in the car.

When traveling in hot weather, you'll have to either bring all your 
food or live on drive-through fast food.  It is too hot for them 
to be left in the car, even in the shade.

Always carry your dog's Rabies Certificate with you along with having 
him wear the rabies tag.  If your dog is on medication or has health 
problems, take some documentation with you in case your dog has to 
see a vet.  Also, take your own vet's phone number with you.

If you belong to AAA, you can request a Triptik and list of motels 
or campgrounds that accept pets.  There are books available in the 
travel section of book stores that also list accommodations that 
accept pets.  Be sure to make reservations in advance.

In rest areas, the "Truck Area" is usually towards the back with 
grass areas were you can take your animals. 

Remember the frisbee, or whatever doggie chases. You can't always 
count on finding an appropriate stick.
 
When staying at motels, take along a white noise source.  It helps 
block out strange outside noises that might cause the dogs to bark.
 
Always take along at least two old "dog sheets" to cover the motel's 
bedspreads (often, rooms have 2 beds).  Also take an old towel into 
the room for wiping feet after walks.

If your dog has a problem with stairs, you might want to specify 
that you want a ground floor room.  It also makes late night potty 
trips easier and shorter.

Pack a bag especially for your dog containing dishes, food, water, 
leashes, medication, treats, toys etc.  It makes everything easier 
to find if it is consolidated.

If your dog eats canned food, don't forget to bring a can opener 
and spoon to scoop the food into the dish.

If your dog gets car sick or is easily upset, discuss medication 
with your vet first.

If your dog is not comfortable riding in the car, try several short 
trips to get him used to it.

Make sure your dog is wearing a collar or harness with identification.  
Make sure that there will be someone available at the phone number 
listed on the ID tag.  If you carry a cell phone with you or have a 
car phone, list that number so you can be called directly.  Keep a 
current photo with you to use for identification purposes if the dog 
should get lost.

Homeopathic flower essences have been used successfully by many people
to keep their pets calm in stressful situations.  Most popular for
the stress of travel is Rescue Remedy.  Rescue Remedy is a mix of 5
flower essences: Cherry Plum, Clematis, Rock Rose, Star of Bethlehem
and Impatients.  It is prepared using Homeopathic principles of dilution
and succussion.  It is best used for shock, trauma, stress, etc.  It
is available in liquid and cream at a lot of health food stores.  One
can use 4 drops on the tongue or put it on a pet's ear, paws, or any
place really.  You can even put it in the pet's water bowl.  Flower
essences are not harmful in any way.
 
If you are traveling alone in hot weather and need to leave the
pets in the car for a short time in order to use the facilities,
etc, take along two car keys.  Leave one in the ignition to keep
the a/c running, lock all the doors, then run into the restroom
and run back to the car, unlocking the door with the second key.
It would probably be best to have the animals crated or secured
far away from the controls of the car.  Also, be sure your car
is parked in a secure area where it won't be a target for thieves.
 
Page last updated on Fri Jul 25 18:29:16 PDT 1997