If you can’t imagine going on vacation without your pet, road trips are a great option. But before you hit the road, you’ll want to make sure you’ve packed everything your pet might need during the journey. To help you, we’ve put together a list of must-haves for any summer road trip with your pet, be it cross-city, state, or even country-wide!
Cooler with lots of food
No summer road trip is complete without a selection of snacks for you and your pet to sip on as the miles pass. Before you leave, fill the cooler with your pet’s favorite Freshpet treats and recipes, as well as a selection of human-safe snacks you can enjoy together. Not sure which snacks fall into this category? Watch our list human food that your pet can enjoy. Keeping them in the fridge will ensure that they stay fresh throughout the drive, regardless of distance.
Selection of attractive toys
Looking out the window will only keep your pet busy for too long, which means you’ll need to have some car-friendly toys ready for when they need a distraction.
- For dogs: Our number one recommendation would be a Kong, as they come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are easy for your pet to play with while remaining stationary. Plus, they can be filled with things they love Fresh food or formulathis will keep them busy for a good amount of drive.
- For cats: Doc and Phoebe Indoor Hunting Feeder is a great car safety toy. Just like Kong, it can be filled with cats’ favorite snacks that they have to ‘hunt down’ and work to get out.
A bowl of spill-proof water
Chances are, your pet’s regular water bowl won’t deplete it while on the road. Instead, you’ll want to invest in one with a spill-resistant design made specifically for use in cars. The Kurgo No Spill Dog Travel Bowl is a great choice because it has a taper tip, which reduces splashing on the go, and a unique wedge-shaped design that allows it to lie flat on a car seat. Plus for the fact that it’s also made from food-grade, dishwasher-safe materials!
Some in-house amenities
It’s fun to be on vacation, all the changes can make your pet feel a little insecure. To minimize these feelings of anxiety, it’s a good idea to bring some familiar smells from home. Some great options include your pet:
- Gently stretch
- Favorite blanket
- Plush toy or rope
- Any other item that can easily keep odors in the house
Having your pet sit with these items during driving and at stops will give them a sense of belonging and comfort in an ever-changing environment.
Products to calm an anxious pet
If the comfort of your home doesn’t ease your pet’s anxiety, you’ll need to have a few supplies packed in to calm your pet’s nerves. They may include:
- ThunderShirt: Shirt is like this vest Designed to apply gentle, yet continuous, pressure to alleviate all types of anxiety, fear, and over-excitability issues in both dogs and cats.
- Feliway Classic Spray: This soothing spray designed to make cat travel less stressful. Simply spray on their carrier 10 minutes before you bring your cat in and reapply every four hours.
- ADAPTIL Calm On-The-Go Collar: This collar secretes calming pheramones to help dogs feel secure and comfortable in any challenging situation.
All of these add-ons are a great alternative to sedation, which requires a vet’s prescription and has the potential to cause side effects.
Accessories to beat the heat
Even in an air-conditioned car, your pet may need some extra help keeping cool. Luckily, there are several coolers that are easy to pack and use during your summer road trip.
- Using the cooling pad: Place cooling pads, such as pads Green pet shopCar seat tops are an easy way to keep your pet cool while driving, especially if your car has leather seats.
- Pack a cooling towel: You can also try using a cooling bandanna, like this one from ALL FOR PAWSit’s a more car-friendly alternative to traditional cooling vests.
You now have your packing list, but if you’re looking for inspiration on destinations or stops for your trip, why not check it out? this list The country’s most pet-friendly city!
