Are you planning a road trip with your dog? There are some things you'll want to do to keep them safe and happy; to that end, read these tips for driving with a pet by Synthetic Solutions in Zebulon.

Hitting the road to visit friends and family this holiday season wouldn't be the same without your furry best friend by your side. If you haven't brought your pet along for a long-distance ride before, we have some tips on how to ensure a safe, fun, and pleasant traveling experience when driving with a pet.

Essential Tips For Driving With a Pet

First, Take Your Pet to The Vet

You want your dog to be happy and comfortable for traveling; hence, you should make an appointment with your veterinarian for a checkup. Doing this will help you determine if your dog is healthy enough to be safe during the trip. Plus, your veterinarian can help you make arrangements for the journey, such as ensuring your dog's microchip has the correct information. However, sometimes dogs can't travel due to health conditions, age, or a fearful or anxious manner; if that's the case for your furry friend, your vet can help you find a reliable pup-sitter or pet hotel.

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Take Some Practice Drives

When it comes to taking your dog for a long-distance ride, you should know if they are prone to motion sickness, anxiety, or any other hassle in advance; therefore, training them to travel is essential. You can start by taking your dog for short drives around town to get them accustomed to the movement of the car. Now, it's important to note that letting dogs ride free in the car it's unsafe; for that reason, you should get your dog used to being secured with a dog seat belt or inside a spacious carrier. If you notice they behave, reward them with a tasty treat and increase the length of the rides little by little.

Pack All Your Dog Needs

Make sure to pack all that's needed to make the trip more comfortable for your dog; to that end, fill a bag or suitcase with all your pup's essentials. First off, think about the hours your pet will be spending on the vehicle; they might take a nap for a while, but for the most part, they might become bored and anxious. To avoid that, pack hollow toys you can stuff with peanut butter or long-lasting chew toys. Plus, make sure to pack their leash, collar, harness, grooming supplies, food and water containers, plastic bags, a waste scoop, prescribed medication if needed, food in airtight bags, and wipes in case they get motion sickness.

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Exercise Your Dog Before the Trip

Is your pup super energetic? If they do, chances are they might get anxious or stressed during the road trip, which could lead them to pant, scratch, or rip off your vehicle's fixtures as an energy outlet. To ensure your dog will be calm throughout the trip, take them for a long walk right before setting off; you can also take them to the park to run, exercise, and play. Make sure they release as much energy as possible so they can take a long nap right when they get to the car.

Take Frequent Breaks During the Trip

After sitting still for a couple of hours, both you and your dog might feel numb and uncomfortable; hence, taking frequent breaks is indispensable. Use each break to take your dog for a walk to explore, move, and expend some energy before getting back to the car; plus, make sure to bring a waste scoop and a plastic bag to clean your dog's waste in case they do their business. Don’t forget to offer your dog some water during each stop to keep them hydrated throughout the trip.

Finally, Keep Your Dog Cool

As the last tip, it's worth mentioning that your canine best friend doesn't have the ability to regulate its temperature through sweat, which makes it prone to heat stress. To make sure your dog is cool and safe, turn your AC on during the hottest hours of the day. You can also get a cooling pad for your dog to lie on comfortably. Plus, it's super important to keep your pet pal hydrated, as mentioned above; ensure to bring a bottle filled with water to relieve your pup's thirst throughout the whole trip.

Drive smoothly and safely by choosing quality oils and lubricants for your vehicle's preventive maintenance, like AMSOIL's Signature Series 5W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil. Call Synthetic Solutions at (888) 450-2658 or browse AMSOIL's online store to place an order on the most effective synthetic oil in Zebulon.