Top Feeding Tips When Traveling with Your Dog
At the sight of you hopping into the driver seat, your dog, wagging its tail and barking excitedly, cajoles you to let him tag along. Deny the request and expect torn shoes and bitten cables when you return.
No doubt about it–dogs are perfect companions. Unlike most cats, they always want to be out and about with you—wherever that may be. But it doesn’t mean every trip will be a smooth ride for them. Sometimes, new sights and sounds can be overwhelming, too, no matter how adventurous they are. And these can affect their usual feeding routine.
9 Feeding Tips to Remember When on the Road
Plan ahead before going on a trip with your fur baby. After all, you wouldn’t want an upset tummy and other potential mishaps to spoil the fun. And so, read this handy list of the top feeding tips to remember when traveling with your dog.
Bring the same food they eat at home
The best way to avoid gastrointestinal disturbances is to feed your dog the same food you feed them at home.
Bring enough water for your dog
When traveling, especially in off-beat locations, water might not be accessible, or it might even be impossible to find a clean and safe water supply. To make sure your dog only drinks water safe for consumption, bring your fur baby’s own water supply. Also, let your dog have a good swig of water and a toilet break before you hit the road.
Keep dog food in proper storage
Packing dry food is more convenient, and you most likely will not have a hard time with storage. But if your dog is on a raw food diet, you need to be more meticulous when packing it for a trip. It spoils fast, so it can be challenging. But ensuring that it stays as fresh as it is when you leave home is non-negotiable to avoid poisoning and other potential health issues.
Even packed biologically appropriate raw food (BARF), such as those from Petzyo, will still need proper storage if you’re on the road. It’s best to pack it frozen, and then, put it in a small cooler loaded with lots of ice to maintain its freshness despite long hours on the road and high humidity levels.
Prepare fiber supplements when needed
If your pet has a history of motion sickness, go to your vet before your trip and ask for prescriptions to minimize the symptoms during travel. Most of the time, vets also recommend fiber supplements to control diarrhea and other possible health issues.
Feed your dog less than the usual meal
Even if your dog is a seasoned traveler like you, gastrointestinal disturbances can still happen anytime. But feeding less food can reduce the likelihood of developing these issues. Still, maintain a proper feeding routine to keep your dog well-nourished during the trip.
Avoid feeding human food (no matter how tempting it is)
It’s hard, maybe even heartbreaking sometimes, to reject those begging puppy eyes and wagging tail of a fur baby craving that takeaway cheeseburger you’re chowing down. But be firm–it’s for your dog’s own good. Even the tiniest bite from that cheeseburger can cause an upset tummy or diarrhea, which can cause discomfort not only to your dog but also to you.
Avoid feeding your dog while in a moving vehicle
Even when you’re traveling, you have to follow the usual feeding routine. So keep track of the time. But don’t feed your dog in a moving vehicle because it can worsen any feeling of anxiety or even cause an upset stomach.
What you can do is set alarms for the feeding times. Whenever it goes off, pull up somewhere safe to feed your dog. After that, don’t resume the trip right away. Give your dog enough time to rest. You can maybe go for a walk to aid proper digestion.
A note to remember: Before traveling, feed your fur baby four hours ahead. It will give your dog more time to digest the food. Also, this helps avoid disrupting your pet’s potty schedule.
Go easy on treats
Is it your dog’s first time traveling with you? Pet owners find it beneficial to give treats to their dogs when they feel anxious during their first trip. That’s okay. But don’t overdo it. Too much can lead to stomach problems or even diarrhea.
Prepare foods that are tummy settlers
Depending on your dog’s needs and following the vet’s advice, you may give some human food, like greek yogurt or canned pumpkin, to prevent an upset stomach. But remember to keep the amount minimal.
Enjoy a Smooth Ride Every Time
There’s no room for guesswork when you’re planning to travel with your dog. It’s important to anticipate possible problems you might encounter along the way. Plan how to tackle your dog’s feeding routine and make sure you store all your fur baby’s foods and treats in safe and proper storage. Have a fun trip, fellow fur dads and fur moms!
