Stress-free summer vacation with pets

Summer vacations with your pet can be a fun and exciting way to share experiences and strengthen your bond. But it can present some added challenges, not the least of which is ensuring your pet is relaxed and happy throughout your trip.

Summer itself can be a heightened time of stress for furry family members. “Summer can present unique stressors for pets,” notes Chelsea Gennings, Co-Founder of Pet Releaf, the nation’s number one seller of pet CBD products, which are designed to naturally and efficiently help pets manage stress and maintain optimum health. “These stressors can include loud noises like thunderstorms and fireworks, crowds, heat, and tension caused by changes in a dog’s schedule.”  She notes that travel during summer can pose further challenges for pets. “Issues like motion sickness, separation stress, or discomfort from being away from home can bring about a lot of unease.” .

Like many people, many pets are willing to step out of their comfort zone to have some fun in the sun. But pet parents can take steps to minimize stress and discomfort and ensure the experience is a positive and happy one.     

Where to go

To minimize stress and maximize enjoyment, plan for summer destinations you and your furkid will both love. When choosing where to go, the first thing to consider is your pet’s natural temperament and preferences. If he loves the water, the beach may be a good choice. If he’s not sociable, a private pet- friendly beach area is probably better than a popular public beach.

If your dog is a low-energy sofa-sitter, a long hike in the mountains together is probably not a realistic expectation, but relaxing in a cabin in the woods might be perfect. If your pooch doesn’t do well with large crowds, children, or excessive noise, outdoor events like carnivals, festivals, and concerts should likely be avoided in favor of quieter, low-key activities like touring nature preserves or visiting wineries.

Where to stay

It’s important to choose accommodations that will make you both most comfortable. First, consider the type of place you want to stay in. Are you looking for a hotel to hang your hat at while you’re off on adventures? A beach resort with full amenities, so you and your pooch never even have to leave the property? A vacation rental you can call home for a little while? A private cabin in the woods?

Once you’ve decided on the type of accommodations you want, seek out pet-friendly establishments that are right for everyone you’ll be traveling with. This includes checking pet policies to determine what  type, number, and size of pets they’ll allow, whether there are pet fees, and whether pets are allowed to be left alone in the room. It also includes searching out pet-friendly amenities that are important to you–you may prefer accommodations with a designated pet potty area, a high availability of rooms on the first floor, or extra pet perks like available pet sitters, doggie beds, or even pet room service menus.  

Getting there

Many pets do just fine on summer road trips, but long car rides in the heat and more traffic can sometimes cause or exacerbate discomfort. A few extra considerations will go a long way toward making sure you both have a pleasant car ride all the way to your destination.

First, make sure your pet is kept cool enough. Air conditioning does not always cool a car evenly; If your pet is traveling in the back seat, check to make sure he’s getting plenty of cool air and make adjustments as needed. Dogs with thicker fur may require colder car temperatures and more careful monitoring for heat stress.

Never leave pets alone in a hot car, even with the AC running or the windows cracked. In summer, temperatures inside cars can climb to lethal levels within minutes. This isn’t a risk you want to take. If you’re traveling with other human companions, make sure one of you stays in the car with your pet at all times during pit stops. If you’re traveling alone with your pet, have food on hand or use drive-thrus for quick meals, and plan to stop only at places that allow you to bring your furry kid with you.  Pet-friendly hotel chains, like Red Roof Inns, La Quinta, Motel 6…as well as pet stores and big box stores (e.g. Petco, PetSmart, Home Depot, Lowes, etc..), veterinarians, and groomers will let you use their facilities so you never have to leave your pet alone.

Part of staying cool is staying hydrated. This is a concern for pets on any car trip, but extra water breaks are necessary during warmer months. Of course, more water breaks eventually lead to more potty breaks, so you’ll need to factor extra potty time into your schedule and stick to a route with pet friendly rest areas.

You should also monitor your pet for signs of stress. If he seems anxious or bored, or he isn’t acting quite like himself, it may be time to stop for a walk, fresh air, a pet calming supplement,  a play session, a snack, or maybe a cuddle.

What to pack

Packing for summer trips with pets requires special consideration as well. Important items to remember:

Pet first aid kit

Pet needs differ when it comes to minor injuries, so it’s important to have a specialized kit on hand–one that includes treatment for skin irritations caused by sun exposure or bug bites.

Towels

Extra outdoor fun always means extra moisture and mess. Have lots of towels handy to dry off wet fur, wipe down your car, and protect your car interior from messes.

Extra water

As mentioned before, hydration is crucial in summer. Have extra water handy. Dogs can’t drink from common water bottles easily, so we recommend having a travel bowl or a specially designed or adapted doggie water bottle handy.

Flea/tick protection/spray

These little buggers are most active in summer months, and can cause your pet discomfort, or even illness. Preventative sprays and treatments are helpful for keeping them away.

Sunscreen

Believe it or not, dogs can get sunburns, just like people. And the risks to dogs are similar – pain, discomfort, and an elevated risk of skin cancer. So, bring on the pet sunscreen!

Motion sickness/stress relief

Motion sickness and general travel stress and unease can be exacerbated by heat. Having something on-hand to help keep your pet calm and comfortable can make all the difference for your pet. We recommend Pet Releaf’s CBD Calming Chews. Not only are they an all-natural, reliable, over-the-counter option, they offer relief without drowsiness. They also come in travel-size packs, and options are tailored to dogs by size. Pet Releaf also has a Fireworks bundle package, which is specific to summer and features CBD chewables, sprays, and oils at a discounted price.  

It all comes down to keeping your pet’s comfort in mind every step of the way, starting before you ever set out on your trip. This kind of  thoughtful consideration can help you limit and ease summer stressors, which will help ensure that your trip goes smoothly and all of your companions can make great summer memories together.

About TripsWithPets

TripsWithPets is a leader in the pet travel industry – providing online reservations at pet-friendly hotels across the United States and Canada.

With a vast inventory of pet-friendly accommodations, TripsWithPets provides pet travelers with a wide variety of pet-friendly options.

Pet parents go to TripsWithPets.com for all they need to find and book the perfect place to stay with their pets –  including detailed, up-to-date information on hotel pet policies and pet amenities.

As passionate animal advocates, TripsWithPets  supports local and national 501(c)(3) animal welfare organizations by raising much needed funds through their annual Partners for Animal Welfare Series (PAWS).