Andrea Vale · Updated July 1, 2024
The data is in: More and more Americans are hitting the road for long stretches as the country puts the COVID-19 pandemic in the rearview mirror. What’s more, these travelers often have a four-legged family member along for the ride.
Road trips are more popular than ever. For the 2023 Fourth of July weekend, AAA estimated that 43.2 million Americans were driving to their vacation destinations, a new record for travelers hitting the road during the holiday. Around 100 million people intended to drive more than 250 miles from home over the summer in 2023, according to The Vacationer’s yearly summer travel survey.
At the same time, Americans are foregoing leaving their pets at home. This may be in part because families simply have more fur babies than any time over the past few years. According to the American Pet Products Association, 66% of American households have a pet in 2023, an increase from 56% since 1988. That’s a lot of new animals to figure out how to transport: Delta Airlines estimates that half a million nonservice animal pets ride on board annually.
For those with travel ambitions and pet responsibilities, CitizenShipper outlined a list of five do’s and don’ts for traveling on the road with your pet, compiled from animal medical caretakers and travel authorities like VCA Animal Hospitals, Animal Hospital of Howard, and AAA. These tips apply to cats and dogs specifically.
Pets have many of the same considerations as you do to stay comfortable, so plan ahead for when they’re hungry or thirsty, need sleep and bathroom breaks, and time to stretch their legs. Some recommendations are probably similar to precautions one would take with a toddler: Don’t let them sit in the front seat and plan for them to get restless and antsy, for example. In general, owners should always plan to pack their animal’s vaccination certifications, medications, regular food, identification, and some cleanup supplies, at minimum.
Read on to learn the biggest do’s and don’ts when it comes to making memories on the road with your favorite four-legged family members.
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Do Plan Out Food and Meal Times Ahead of Time
While we might enjoy snacking on the road, our pets can’t. Animals are susceptible to car sickness, so it’s not advisable to feed them in a moving car. Plan for them to eat four to six hours before leaving, not right before departing. An empty stomach can help alleviate nausea and vomiting.
Make sure the food you bring is properly stored and placed in a cool, dry place so it doesn’t go bad on the road. This can mean bringing a small cooler to preserve canned wet food that’s been opened and Tupperware for dry food. It can also be a good idea to bring a few snacks along in case your pet needs calming down (more on that later).
Water, however, is not only acceptable but important to provide plentifully. Some water in different parts of the country have different minerals that can upset an animal’s already sensitive stomach, so it may be wise to bring water from home.
Do Be Overcautious When It Comes to Safety
Long road trips can present hazards that aren’t a worry at home. Even if they’re usually well-behaved, pets can be anxious in a new place, causing them to run away in search of home. Cats may hide if they’re stressed; dogs could jump out of a window that’s rolled down too far. They may become anxious with unfamiliar surroundings and scents, so make sure that you keep a close eye so they don’t dart away or accidentally get lost when they become confused or panicked.
To prepare for these risks, always put a collar with identification on your pet while traveling, even if they don’t need one at home. Engage your car’s child locks and don’t let your pet in the front or passenger seat.
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Don’t Stress Out Your Pet
Traveling can be extremely anxiety-inducing for animals; there are different stimuli to take in and get used to every time you stop somewhere new. A comfort object, such as a beloved toy or stuffed animal, can help soothe them along the way. You could also make a safe space in a corner of the car with blankets or a bed from home — anything familiar can make all the difference. You may even want to consider a pheromone collar or anti-anxiety medication if your pet particularly struggles with new environments.
Before attempting a long road trip, first take them on smaller trips to acclimate your pet to traveling by car. It may also help to play calming music along the drive, but don’t blast your favorite tunes or podcasts too loudly, it might distress your four-legged friend further.
Don’t Wait to Take Bathroom Breaks
Don’t leave your pet suffering in silence — it’s best to pre-plan and time bathroom breaks to make sure there are no accidents. Take your pet to the bathroom just before departing in the car to set them up for success from the start.
Puppies need to use the bathroom at least once an hour; for mature dogs, this is more like every four hours. It all depends on your knowledge of your pet; after all, no one knows them better than you. If you have a feline, make sure you have a full and fresh litter box in the car. Packing a top-entry one is essential to avoid a spill when you hit a pothole.
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Do Give Your Pets Enough Time to Stretch Their Legs
Animals are antsy and usually can’t go too long in a cramped car. For dogs, plan to stop every two to three hours to let them run around in a safe park area (though some experts advise every hour, while others say every four).
At the same time, make sure not to overdo it; stopping too many times means an overload of new smells, sights, and environments, which can quickly become stressful for your pet. When you do stop, never leave pets unattended. Temperatures inside cars exceed outside weather and can potentially cause heatstroke. Beloved pets can also be stolen if your parked car only has your furry friend to stand guard.
Before hitting the road again, take your dog on a short walk or play with your cat. Tiring them out can help minimize their restlessness.
Andrea Vale is a freelance writer and filmmaker, focusing on biodiversity and conservation. She has reported for National Geographic, USA Today, Oceana, The Oxford Scientist, The Oxford Climate Review, and many other publications on topics including wetlands along the India-Pakistan border, community-based salmon conservation in the U.S, and seabirds in the Pacific.
Previously, she worked as a Human Story Specialist at the National Geographic Society, and producer on the Oxford University Anthroposea Expedition. She has a B.A. in English and creative writing from the University of Notre Dame and a Masters of Sciences in Biodiversity, Conservation and Management from the University of Oxford.
