A special thanks to BJ’s Wholesale Club for sponsoring this post. All thoughts, opinions and photographs are my own.
Happy Monday friends! Raise your hand if you are ready for the holidays?! We are ready and excited! Like most families we have a few road trips planned for the holidays. Our pups will of course be joining us! Today I have teamed up with my friends at BJ’s Wholesale Club to share a few tips on traveling with pets.
Travel Tips: Road Trip
I’ve been traveling with my pets since the day I got them. I actually picked up Henry in Montgomery, Alabama and Heidi in Miami, Florida. A lot of these tips I have learned over the years from research, speaking to vets and personal experience. I hope these tips will help your travels go smoother and safer.
- Prep your pet for a long trip. Get your pet geared up by taking him on a series of short drives first, gradually lengthening time spent in the car. This tip is especially important if you have a new puppy! If you’re traveling across state lines, bring along your pet’s rabies vaccination record. While this generally isn’t a problem, some states require this proof at certain interstate crossings.
- Keep your pets safe and secure in a well-ventilated crate or carrier. The crate should be large enough for your pet to stand, sit, lie down and turn around in. Secure your pet’s crate so it will not slide or shift in the event of an abrupt stop. I usually put the seat belt through the crate handle for extra protection. If you decide to forgo the crate, don’t allow your pet to ride with his head outside the window, and always keep him in the back seat in a harness attached to a seat buckle. BJ’s carries Cozy Travel Pet Carriers and Portable Folding Pet Beds to place in the backseat or inside your crate.
- Prep a pet-friendly travel kit. Bring food, a bowl, leash, a waste scoop, plastic bags, grooming supplies, medication and first-aid. Pack a favorite toy or pillow to give your pet a sense of familiarity. My pups are currently obsessed with this Lambchop Plush {available in-store only} so we will be packing it! BJ’s has a huge selection of pet treats {like our favorite Blue Dog Bakery treats!} you can pack for your pups.
- Never leave your animal alone in a parked vehicle. This should be a duh but you’d be surprised how many people still leave pets in their cars. On a hot day, even with the windows open, a parked automobile can become a furnace in no time, and heatstroke can develop. In cold weather, a car can act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
- Be prepared. Unexpected turns and delays are a part of traveling, so when your plans include your pets, take along extra food for them. Be prepared ahead of time. If you want to be EXTRA prepared, pack a few BJ’s Pee Pads– especially if you have a new puppy!
I hope you learned at least one new tip for your next road trip with your pets. Also, if you are looking for ways to save money during the holidays, keep BJ’s Wholesale Club membership in the back of your mind.
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