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When packing for your trip, start with your dog’s food. I pack each meal in a separate zip-lock bag to simplify portion control. I usually pack one or two extra meals beyond the duration of our trip, just in case. Although Zen normally eats different types of food, we use a combination of kibble and air-dried food for travel, which eliminates concerns about storage conditions. Take a cardboard box and fill it with the meals in plastic bags. I keep this box in the car so I don’t have to carry all the food with me every day; I just grab the meal for that day.
Also, remember to pack water and food bowls, at least one for water. I keep the bowl inside the carry-on luggage that we take to our sleeping place each night, so I always have it with me. I take one meal from the box, and we are ready for our overnight stay.
Then, I add a bag of treats and a couple of chews for the evenings. If tick prevention is due during the trip, I make sure to pack it. I also include any necessary supplements I want to take.
One of the essential things you always want to have, especially on road trips, are poop bags, wet tissues for the dog, and two of our perfect smell-proof bags. Since Zen and I often go on hikes where there are no trash cans, I discovered that carrying his poop around was unpleasant due to the smell. However, I found these bags to be the perfect solution. I put the poop in the thick, smell-proof bag, which ensures the contents are secure inside and there’s no odor. You can walk with it for hours without any smell, which really helps with the unpleasantness I used to experience before discovering this invention.
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I keep all other items, like additional leashes, a hiking leash, and dog toys, in another cardboard box in the car. This way, whether we’re headed to the beach or on a hike, I can always find them easily. Keeping many necessary items in car boxes makes our carry-on luggage lighter, which is important for us since, during our road trips, we usually move from place to place and don’t stay more than a day or two in each location.
Additionally, be sure to have a basic medical kit; details are in our travel checklist and medical records, especially for rabies. It’s possible you’ll need it somewhere, and the easiest way to keep that record is to store a photo on your phone.
And finally, bedding. This greatly depends on your dog’s habits. Some dogs prefer to sleep on the bed, some on their own bed, and some on the floor. If your dog is attached to his dog bed, be sure to take it with you. However, my dog couldn’t care less about his bed; he usually chooses the bathroom floor because of the tiles.
Another essential tool we always bring along is a flashlight and a hair catcher. While I’m certain that every dog owner has their preferred tool for removing hair, we’ve found this HAIR CATCHER stands out as the best for us. It’s inexpensive, compact, lightweight, and effortlessly removes hair while being easy to wash. It works perfectly on every surface. Since we frequently stay in Airbnb, I believe it’s important to respect the owner’s property by removing pet hair before leaving. It only takes a couple of minutes, and while it may not always be required, you can be sure they will appreciate the gesture.
Now, you are ready to embark on your road trip. Find your perfect destination and activities HERE.