Travel is Back: Travel Tips for You and Your Dog

Thankfully, this summer is looking a lot different than last. Now that we’re able to travel more safely, people are making plans to hit the road (and the skies!) to explore new destinations.

Of course, for those who want to bring their furry friends along, the thought of getting back into traveling can feel overwhelming. Here are a few tips to ensure you’ll have a smooth and safe trip with your dog!

Talk to Your Vet

First things first – you need to make sure your dog is deemed ready to travel by a veterinarian! Meet with your vet before you depart to see if any health conditions or other concerns may make it more difficult for your dog to travel. It’s also important to make sure all vaccines are up-to-date, and that you have adequate flea and tick preventative measures in place.

Get All Documents in Order for Flying

If you’re flying, you’ll need to see what requirements both the airline and destination you’re visiting have for traveling with pets. As soon as you’ve made your travel plans, make a checklist of exactly what you need to do so that your dog can fly and enter your travel destination. You want to give yourself ample time to make any necessary appointments with your vet and get all forms in order.

Make Copies of Essential Documents and Health Records

Make sure you have copies of any important documents needed for travel, as well as your dog’s health records. It’s smart to have an extra physical copy, as well as a virtual copy as a backup. This tip is particularly important for flying, but is still a good idea for all pet owners planning on traveling with their dog.

Bring the Right Food

Feeding your dog high-quality food is obviously important for keeping your dog healthy and happy. That said, it’s tricky to find dog food that is nutritious and travels well. Thankfully, Top Shelf Dog food is conveniently shelf-stable (but free of artificial preservatives!), so you can easily travel with it without worrying about it spoiling.

In addition to being travel-friendly, Top Shelf Dog food – which was developed alongside a leading veterinary nutritionist – is super-premium. Super-premium dog food has been shown to be more easily digestible, which means dogs are better able to absorb all the healthy nutrients. Top Shelf Dog food is also all-natural and fortified with vitamins and minerals that help maintain your dog’s overall wellbeing while traveling and while at home!

Find the Best Parks

It’s a smart idea to do some research before your trip to find some dog-friendly parks (or rest stops) along the journey and around your destination. If you’re driving, you’ll want to stop every two to three hours for a bathroom break and to let your dog move and play (wearing them out will help keep them calmer while in the car!).

Double Check Where Your Dog is Allowed (and Not Allowed)

Before your trip, you’ll want to check to see which places that you plan on visiting during your trip allow dogs – as well as which places don’t so that you can plan accordingly. Of course, the first priority should be ensuring the accommodations that you’re staying in allow pets. Beyond that, take a look at your itinerary and do some research into which of the destinations (parks, monuments, hiking trails, restaurants, etc.) in your schedule allow dogs.

Even if a certain venue is listed as pet-friendly online, it’s not a bad idea to call or email to ensure that information is still accurate. It will give you the peace of mind that you won’t run into any issues with your furry friend as you go about your travels!