Road rules for Memorial Day pet road trip

Pet travel tips for Memorial Day getaway

Submitted by www.tripswithpets.com

Memorial Day symbolizes the start of summer for you and your pet. Time to starting planning your weekend getaway - whether it be to the beach, the mountains or somewhere in between! Before you hit the road, it's important to plan ahead for pet travel and always keep the best interests of your furry sidekick in mind.

Traveling with your pet can be a wonderful and bonding experience or a not so pleasant one. It's all a matter of proper planning and preparation.

Here are top tips to ensure your Memorial Day getaway with your pet is a safe one.

1. No Heads Out the Window: Although many pets find sticking their head out the window is the best part of the road trip, it's not safe. Your pet can easily be injured by flying debris. This should go without saying, but never travel with a pet in the back of a pickup truck. Some states have laws restricting such transport and it is always dangerous.

2. Frequent Pit Stops: Always provide frequent bathroom and exercise breaks. Most travel service areas have designated areas for walking your pet. Be sure to stay in this area - particularly when you pet needs a potty break - and, of course, bring along a bag to pick up after your pet. When outside your vehicle, make sure your pet is always on a leash and wearing a collar with a permanent and temporary travel identification tag.

3. Proper Hydration: During your pit stops, be sure to provide your pet with some fresh water to wet their whistles. Occasionally, traveling can upset your pet's stomach. Take along ice cubes, which are easier on your pet than large amounts of water.

4. Watch the Food Intake: It is recommended you keep feeding to a minimum during travel. Be sure to feed them their regular pet food and resist the temptation to give them some of your fast food burger or fries (that never has a good ending!).

5. Don't Leave Them Alone: Never leave your pet unattended in a parked vehicle. On warm days, the temperature in your vehicle can rise to 120 degrees in minutes, even with the windows slightly open. In addition, an animal left alone in a vehicle is an open invitation to pet thieves.

6. Practice Restraint: Be sure your pet is safely secured in your vehicle. Utilizing a pet safety harness, travel kennel, vehicle pet barrier, or pet car seat are the best ways to keep your pet safe. They not only protect your pet from injury, but they help by keeping pets from distracting you as you drive.

A safety harness functions like a seatbelt. While most pets will not have a problem adjusting to it, you may want to let them wear the harness by itself a few times before using it in the vehicle.

If your pet prefers a travel kennel, be sure it is well ventilated and stabilized. Many pet parents prefer vehicle barriers, particularly for larger pets. Vehicle pet barriers are best suited for SUVs.

Smaller pets are best suited for pet car seats. The car seat is secured in the back seat using a seat belt. Your pet is secured in the car seat with a safety harness. In addition to its safety features, a pet car seat will prop up your smaller pet, allowing him to better look out the window.

No matter what method you choose, back seat travel is always safer for your pet.

7. Safe and Comfortable: Whatever method you choose to properly restrain your pet in your vehicle, be sure to make his comfort a priority. Just as it's important for your "seat" to be comfortable for your long road trip, your pet's seat should be comfortable, too. Typically, a favorite blanket or travel bed will do the trick. There are also some safe and very cozy pet car seats available that your pet may find quite comfy.

Careful preparation is the key to ensuring that you and your pet have a happy and safe Memorial Day getaway!

TripsWithPets.com is a premier online pet friendly travel guide, providing online reservations at more than 30,000 pet-friendly hotels and accommodations across the U.S. and Canada. When planning a trip, pet parents go to TripsWithPets.com for detailed, up-to-date information on hotel pet policies and pet amenities. TripsWithPets.com also features airline and car rental pet policies, pet-friendly activities, a user-friendly search-by-route option, as well as pet travel gear.

For more information, visit http://www.tripswithpets.com.