When is too long for your dog to be in the car?
While the destination may be exciting, the drive there could be long, and for your dog, it could feel even longer! Making sure to take plenty of stops along the way not only breaks up the trip, but gives you and your dog a chance to relieve yourselves and get out of the car for a bit. These breaks are also a great time to offer your dog water, a snack or small meal, and get them moving for some exercise, which will make the time back in the car more relaxing and enjoyable.
On average, many veterinarians agree that dogs need regular breaks for 15 to 30 minutes every 2 to 4 hours during long road trips. Water should be offered every 2 hours. While ideally, your dog’s potty schedule on the road should match their normal routine, there are many factors that can alter this schedule and require more frequent stops.
The age of your dog can help you determine how long they can go without a potty break. Young puppies that are still learning to ‘hold it’, and elderly dogs tend to go potty more often, and may need breaks every 2 hours or less, depending on their individual needs. For dogs between those ages, you can usually stretch the breaks out every 4 hours.
If you have a pooch that suffers from motion sickness or travel anxiety, you’ll also want to stop more often to give your dog a break from the constant movement. There are medications available that can help calm your dog and stop the nausea. Another travel tip for dogs with motion sickness is to skip or limit meals before the start of the trip to minimize the risk of vomiting, or else you may be stopping to clean up the car!
Also take into consideration any medications your dog may be on, or medical conditions that could change the amount of times they need to go potty.
When planning trips with your dog, also look at how long you plan to drive in the car throughout the day. Super long hours in the car can be too much for some pups, so be sure to aim for around 7 hours of driving time in total each day.
Where to stop for breaks can be just as important as when. And with a little pre-planning, you could even make your stops part of the adventure! Integrating fun things to see and do along the way can make the trip just as much fun as the destination, while getting your dog out of the car for a bit.
Most state-run rest areas in the U.S. have grassy places for dogs to do their business, and some even feature fenced-in dog runs. While you should still keep the leash on for safety, these rest stops offer places for you to go to the bathroom too, and often feature travel guides for the area if you want to explore.
A more exciting option is to look for dog-friendly attractions that can pique your dog’s interest. Check out local dog parks or community parks to give your dog a chance to really stretch those legs, and maybe even hobnob with resident canines.
If you are exploring the country’s coastlines, or are traveling near lakes, dog-friendly beaches are sure to put a wag in your pup’s tail! Getting a splash in the water and a run in the sand can tucker your dog out, and help make the next few hours on the road super relaxing.
Sporty pups may enjoy taking a hike in a new place, and some trailheads even offer human bathrooms and water to refill your bottles. Whether an urban trail through a city, a shady path through a forest, or spectacular views near a mountain, you can find trail options for every kind of hiker.
Knowing where you are going to stop for the night can also factor into the pit stops. Reserving a pet-friendly hotel room ahead of time that can accommodate your dog’s size and breed lets you plan the day’s driving times, and have a frustration-free evening after a long day on the road. Or you can look into camping with your dog. With several dog-friendly campgrounds throughout the country, it’s easy to spend the evening snoozing with your best pal under the stars.
Whatever you choose to do, make sure to never leave your dog alone in the car, as it can be dangerous. Depending on the weather, your precious pooch could be susceptible to frostbite or heatstroke, not to mention the anxiety they may feel being left alone in a strange place. If your journey includes human-only attractions, find a local dog sitter or walker to keep your pup safe while you are gone.
FAQs About Driving With A Dog
Can dogs go on long car rides? Yes, dogs can go on long car rides however they will need to get out of the car to stretch their legs and have toilet breaks quite regularly. You should stop every two to three hours during a long car ride with a dog.
How often should I stop on a road trip with my dog? You should stop every two to three hours when on a road trip with your dog to let them go to the toilet. Taking breaks for exercise is also a good idea to tire your dog out so they sleep in the car.
How many hours can a puppy travel in the car? A puppy can travel in a car for many hours as long as they have many toilet breaks. As puppies can’t hold their bladders for long periods of time, you should take breaks approximately every 30 minutes to 1.5 hours.
How long can you drive in a day with a dog? You can drive up to 5 hours in a day with a dog however you will need to stop multiple times for toilet and exercise breaks. You should stop every two to three hours for an adult dog while driving.
Read Also: 12 Must Have Car Accessories For Dog Owners
Book Pet-Friendly Accommodations
Now that you have your route planned, you need to plan for lodging. Not all hotels accept pets, and even campsites often have restrictions. This may require contacting individual hotels in advance to find out their pet policies, including breed restrictions, rules, and possible fees.
Some very pet-friendly hotel chains, such as Best Western, will post this information on their site.
How Often Should You WALK YOUR DOG – Daily Exercise Tips
There are few experiences as liberating as traveling on the open road. In the United States, its been a source of legend. Long after expansion settled in the western states and the Eastern colonies had been consigned to the history books, Americans traveled east to west and vice versa. When the national interstate system was constructed in the 1950s, the going got a lot easier, and taking long trips by car became a national pastime. Indeed, author Jack Kerouacs impromptu road trips became the inspiration for his classic novel “On the Road.” More recently, William Least Heat-Moon chronicled his own cross-country journey in his 1982 memoir “Blue Highways: A Journey Across America.” Classic road trips in the United States dont necessarily have to stretch from one coast to the other: The authors of “The Great American Road Trip” only traveled one highway, but they traveled it from Maine all the way down to Florida.
Theres something about hitting the highway with no particular place to go. Because of the freedom and variety road trips provide, many travelers bring their pets along. Traveling with a pet by car is much easier than any other form of travel, and spending one day playing in the snow-covered mountains and the next in the desert can be a delight for pets.
There are some considerations when traveling by car with your dog or cat, however. For instance, how often should you stop to for a walk on a long road trip? How often should you give your pet food and water? How do you keep your pet from dashing off into the wilderness? You can find out the answer to these questions, and some other tips as well.