Going on a road trip with your pet:
our tips, tricks and checklists.
Who has never dreamed of going on a road trip in a van, accompanied by their best four-legged friends ? Enjoy the freedom of vanlife to explore breathtaking landscapes and create unforgettable memories with your faithful companion.
Traveling in a van with your dog or cat makes the adventure even more unique and exciting, offering you magical moments to share on the roads.
By taking the right precautions and following some practical tips for road trips with your pet , you can ensure the comfort , safety , and enjoyment of your pet (and yours!) throughout your trip.
Discover our essential tips for harmonious cohabitation in your campervan, as well as a checklist to ensure you don't forget anything during your next adventure on the road.
| Everything you need to know BEFORE YOU LEAVE |
- Ensure that all administrative documents are up to date :
In fact, in some countries, you will need to provide proof of your pet's rabies vaccination, have a European passport provided and completed by your veterinarian and a means of identifying your pet .
Also remember to take your pet's up-to-date health record with you before you travel and, depending on your pet's category, find out about the regulations regarding wearing muzzles .
If during your road trip you choose to stop at a campsite or tourist establishment, make sure that animals are accepted .
Please note: since July 3, 2011, only the electronic chip is recognized as a means of identification for travel within the EU (except for animals identified by tattoo before this date).
When traveling with your pet, it is essential not to forget his food and sufficient water , otherwise he will be deprived of licks. Also think about his medication if your dog is prone to certain diseases.
For those who dream of keeping a clean vehicle , we recommend taking a towel exclusively reserved for its little paws as well as a brush and wipes for a touch of beauty after a ride or a day filled with puddles of mud and water.
It is also important to consider the fragility of your pet's pads . If you are visiting a city where the asphalt is too hot, it is likely that the pads will dry out and crack during the walk . We recommend that you buy protective socks for your companion as well as a moisturizing balm to apply to his pads.
A first aid kit can be useful for you and your pet. If you are going into the countryside, be sure to bring a tick remover and flea repellent .
You can find a checklist to download at the end of this blog article to make sure you haven't forgotten anything before the big departure.
- Anticipate your pet's safety throughout the trip:
When traveling to foreign countries or cities you have not yet visited , make sure your pet's collar has your contact information so that you can be reached in case your pet gets lost.
Regarding the identification of your pet , you can always opt for an electronic chip if it does not support the collar. There is also the GPS collar but be careful, you will need to have a network in order to track your pet and there is also a security zone, if your pet leaves it, the collar will not be powerful enough to emit a signal depending on the brand of collar chosen.
Choosing the right size van for a road trip is essential , especially if you are renting from a rental agency or an individual. For example, if you are traveling with a large dog , consider renting a van that is spacious enough so that it does not step on each other and has enough space . Also make sure that the rental company accepts animals on board to avoid unpleasant surprises when you return .
Beforehand, you can get your pet used to traveling in a car by taking trips of 1 to 2 hours before your next big departure. This will allow you to assess its behavior in the car before the big departure.
We advise you to bring your pet's usual accessories so that it can find its familiar smells and habits. It will feel more comfortable on board the new converted vehicle.
| Practical advice ON THE ROAD |
When you're ready to hit the road, make sure your pet has a safe space such as a pet carrier . If the lack of space in the vehicle does not allow you to bring such a large piece of equipment (depending on the size of your pet) or if your pet does not accept the carrier, you can opt for a harness with a universal seat belt . This will allow your pet to become your best co-pilot for the road trip .
These additional accessories guarantee its safety and yours, especially in the event of an accident or if the animal reacts in a way that distracts and distracts you during the journey.
We recommend that you take regular breaks during your journeys to stretch your legs and your pet's paws. You can also take advantage of this break time to let him do his business before continuing your road trip.
In one of our previous articles, we already advised you not to be too specific about your road trip planning in order to leave room for surprises. We suggest you do the same during your road trip with your pet by adapting your itinerary and activities according to their needs .
Bring toys , such as Kongs filled with pâté, to keep your pet occupied while you drive . This is especially helpful if your dog or cat tends to demand attention, such as petting or playing.
| The essentials ON THE SPOT |
As soon as you board your converted vehicle, we advise you to dedicate a space for your pet's personal effects so that all of their things are stored in the same place.
Prepare a sleeping area for your pet with his usual basket or mat to show him where his place is .
Pack the essential equipment for him by carefully choosing the accessories to take with him for playing , feeding him , brushing him , etc.
Make sure there is easy access to his water bowl , especially if you are traveling in a hot region, as well as his food bowl , so he can eat in peace at mealtimes.
To regulate its heat , your pet will tend to breathe heavily or sweat through its pads , but this can sometimes be insufficient. This is why we recommend that you bring a fan or a cooling mat to help it not suffer from the heat inside the vehicle.
If you are going on a winter road trip , consider bringing an insulating mat and other accessories such as a blanket for when the temperatures are very cold in the vehicle.
We recommend not leaving your pet alone in your vehicle in the summer , when temperatures rise. Indeed, despite the insulating curtains, the heat can rise very quickly in a van, converted van or camper van and become dangerous for your pet.
It is important not to leave any trace of our passage on a spot . This also applies to your pet. Take a garbage bag with you for your pet's excrement so that future visitors are not confronted with this unpleasant surprise.
Anticipate changes in your pet's behavior when he is in an unfamiliar environment . New places and encounters can cause stress or anxiety in animals, which can manifest itself in unusual behaviors . Be alert for signs of discomfort and be prepared to adapt your approach to reassure him and help him adapt more easily to his new environment.
If you notice that your pet seems stressed by the trip or the place where you are going to spend the night, try to recreate a reassuring family environment by keeping the same habits as at home. Also offer him moments of play to help him relax and forget his stress.
When you go for a walk , we advise you to always have a leash handy with you in case you come across other dogs, cats or wild animals.
If you arrive at a spot where other vehicles are present, provide a long leash to allow your pet to roam around the vehicle while keeping a safe distance. with other travelers . You can find equipment such as a corkscrew stake to plant in the ground or a plate system attached to the wheel of your vehicle to hold your animal's leash.
If you feel that some travelers are not very comfortable with your pet , be sure to maintain a certain distance so as not to disturb their moment of relaxation in the open air.
If your pet is too small to ride in the vehicle or has health problems that limit their strength , you can install an access ramp to make it easier for them to move in and out of your van, camper van or motorhome.
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In conclusion, traveling with your pet on a road trip is an experience as simple as setting off in the car.
With a little preparation and the right accessories, you can keep your four-legged friend comfortable and safe throughout your adventure. Don't hesitate to get started! The memories you'll create together along the way will be priceless.
To help you prepare for your next trip, don't forget to download our checklist to download. You can then print it and use it endlessly. It will ensure that you leave with peace of mind, with everything you need for you and your pet.
don't hesitate to share them with us in the comments below !
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