How to Survive a Road Trip With Your Pet

Start preparing your pet for the journey well before you leave the driveway.

Minimizing potential stressors ahead of time will keep everyone, including drivers and pets, calm. The International Pet and Animal Transportation Association recommends non-aversive crate training to prep pets for a long trip. These methods, which include positive reinforcement strategies such as treats and toys, enable your pet to form positive and comforting associations with the crate. Pet supply website Chewy offers handy starter guides for crate training your dog and acclimating your cat to their carrier. The Animal Humane Society also recommends taking your pet on shorter practice drives to get them accustomed to car travel.

Before the trip, schedule a health check with your veterinarian to confirm your furry friend's clean bill of health. Particularly anxious pets may also benefit from non-sedating anti-anxiety medications or pheromone products used under the prescription and guidance of your vet.

If traveling within the continental United States, paperwork will be light. Rules vary state-by-state—check out the comprehensive guidelines for each state on the USDA website—but you’ll generally need the following:

• A form of pet ID, typically a microchip or tag, and a recent photo in case your pet gets lost during the trip
• Proof of your pet's vaccination status, particularly the rabies vaccine
• Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) signed by a vet certifying your pet’s clean bill of health

If you plan to cross the Canadian or Mexican border, you'll need the above and any additional documentation required, depending on your pet's breed and age.

• Click here to see full restrictions on bringing pets to Canada
• Click here to see full restrictions on bringing pets to Mexico

There is no national registry of service animals, and owners are not required to provide proof of their certification or training. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) , businesses can only ask the following two questions:

1. Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?
2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

Owners of Emotional Support Animals may benefit from carrying a copy of their Emotional Support Animal (ESA) Letter, signed by a mental health professional, which proves their pet's special status.

Once you've packed for yourself, you’ll need to pack a bag for your furry travel companion. These items are must-haves:

• Spacious crates and carriers: Travel crates and carriers should, at a minimum, provide pets with enough room to turn around, lie down, and stand up easily. Larger models designed specifically for the backseat of vehicles offer even more space.
• Leashes: You’ll likely need to keep your pet on a leash or harness when taking them to stretch their legs at rest stops.
• Food and treats: Bring enough food to last the entire trip, plus some treats to ease the stress of traveling.
• Travel Food and Water Bowls: These collapsible bowls take up minimal packing space and can easily fold away into the driver's seatback pocket when not in use.
• Portable Litter Box: Portable litter boxes are small and mobile, designed to be easy to clean and to fold away when not in use.
• Grooming Equipment: Remember to pack any of your pet’s daily or weekly grooming tools, like brushes, nail clippers, wipes, and toothbrushes.
• Toys: Keep your pets occupied with their favorite toys
• Pet Waste Bags: Disposable dog waste bags and odor-blocking plastic bags for disposing of old litter are a must.
• Pet Medications: Remember to pack any prescriptions your pet needs, along with their original prescriptions.
• Washable Seat Covers: Protect your upholstery from unwanted pet hair or unexpected spills with these removable seat liners.
• Bottled water: For quick refills on the road, bring along a pack of bottled water or a gallon container.
• Collar with tags: A collar with ID tags adds an extra layer of protection in case your pet gets lost while traveling.

Frequent rest stops keep all passengers—pets and people—from getting antsy. Dogs will need a pit stop about every 2 to 3 hours or less if you’re traveling with puppies. Cats can go slightly longer, needing a stop every 2 to 4 hours. While most standard truck stops and rest stations will have a parking lot where your pet can work their pent-up energy, a few have dedicated pet-friendly areas.

Once you've survived the drive, you'll need to survive your destination. Ensure your hotel , campground , or vacation rental allows pets and, if so, whether they charge a pet fee. A quick search on PetsWelcome will provide you with a list of pet-friendly accommodations at your destination. If you're staying with family who also have pets, communicate ahead of time whether your pets will be cohabitating or separated for the duration of the stay.

Finally, ensure that the activities you plan to do are pet-friendly if your pet cannot be left unattended. A trip to a national park may be suitable, but a day at the museum won't work. BringFido offers a list of pet-friendly restaurants, activities, and events and AllTrails has a dedicated section for pet-friendly hiking spots.