Traveling with a dog comes down to three things: preparation, safety, and keeping your dog calm. Before you leave, schedule a vet checkup, update the microchip and ID tags, and pack familiar items. For car travel, secure your dog in a crash-tested harness or carrier and stop every couple of hours. For air travel, check airline pet policies early and have health paperwork ready. Natural calming support like full-spectrum CBD oil can help your dog stay relaxed on long drives or flights.
How to Prepare for Travel With a Dog
Just like you, your furry companion needs a few things to ensure they’re safe, comfortable, and well-cared for during the trip. Below are the key steps to take before traveling with your dog.
Get a Pre-Travel Vet Checkup
The first step to any trip with your dog is ensuring they’re in good health. Schedule a visit to your veterinarian for a routine checkup. Make sure their vaccinations are up to date, and ask your vet about any additional recommendations specific to your travel plans, such as motion sickness medication.
Update Your Dog's Microchip and ID Tags
One of the most important steps in travel preparation is ensuring your dog is microchipped. Microchipping greatly increases the chances of being reunited with your pet in case you get separated. If your dog is already microchipped, make sure the contact information is up to date in the microchip registry so you can be reached if your pet is found.
Along with the microchip, ensure your dog’s pet ID tags are also updated with your current contact information. A sturdy collar with a clearly visible ID tag is a simple but vital dog safety tip that ensures your furry friend can be identified quickly.
Know the Signs of Stress in Dogs
Traveling with a stressed dog takes all the fun out of going on a trip with your pup. Unfortunately, many dogs find travel stressful because it’s outside of their routine and comfort zone.
It’s important to recognize the signs of stress in your dog so you can address them early. These might include:
- Panting heavily
- Drooling excessively
- Pacing or restlessness
- Whining, barking, or howling more than usual
- Trembling or shaking
Once you know how to spot a stressed dog, you can take steps to help them feel more secure during travel.
How to Calm a Dog While Traveling
Dog travel doesn’t have to be stressful for your pet. By using natural calming aids, creating a familiar environment, and providing regular exercise, you can help your dog stay relaxed no matter how long the journey.
Manage Travel Stress Naturally With CBD
If your dog tends to get stressed during trips, natural calming aids like full-spectrum CBD oil are excellent for calming your dog during travel, whether it’s a short drive or a long flight. One of the major CBD oil benefits is that it helps reduce stress without causing drowsiness, keeping your dog relaxed but alert. CBD also supports overall canine well-being by interacting with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate stress and balance mood.
This is the same kind of everyday stress support Earth Buddy looked at in its Calming Pathfinder study, a real-world observation of nearly 70 dogs over a 26-day period during July, the most stressful stretch of the year for pets. Pet owners tracked how their animals responded before, during, and after adding Earth Buddy's calming products to their routine. Travel days bring that same out-of-routine stress on a smaller scale, which is why a consistent calming routine matters when you're on the road or in the air.
For travel specifically, Calming Chews for Dogs - Beef & Pumpkin - 10mg make pre-dosed support easy to give as a reward, while Quick Calm 250mg absorbs fast when stress kicks in mid-trip. If you want more help building a calming routine before you leave, our guides on keeping your dog calm for the 4th of July and calming a restless dog at night cover the same principles that apply to travel.
Create a Cozy Space With Familiar Items
Making your dog feel at home while traveling can go a long way in reducing their stress. Bring along their favorite toys, blanket, or even their bed to create a cozy, familiar space, whether they’re in the car or a carrier crate. These familiar items carry the comforting scent of home, which helps make new environments feel less overwhelming.
If you’re driving, set up a soft, quiet area in the back seat where your dog can settle in. Use their blanket or bed to give them a secure, familiar spot. For airplane travel with a dog, make sure their carrier is lined with their favorite bedding.
Exercise Your Dog Before You Leave
One of the best ways to calm your dog is to get in a play session or walk beforehand. Physical activity plays a key role in calming your dog because it helps them burn off excess energy.
If you’re embarking on a long-distance traveling adventure like a road trip, it’s important to plan regular breaks for your dog to stretch, relieve themselves, and get some fresh air. These short breaks allow your dog to stretch their legs, relieve themselves, and get some fresh air, helping them stay calm and comfortable for the duration of the trip.
Flying With a Dog: What to Know
Flying with your dog takes some planning to make sure they’re safe and comfortable. From checking airline policies to packing calming aids, a little preparation can make the trip stress-free for both of you.
Do You Need to Buy a Ticket for Your Dog?
Most airlines charge a fee for your dog to fly with you. The cost varies depending on the airline and whether your dog flies in the cabin or in the cargo hold. In-cabin fees usually range from $75 to $200, while cargo fees are higher. Check your airline’s pet policies and book your dog’s spot early, as there are limits on how many pets can fly on each flight.
Check Airline Pet Policies and Paperwork
Before booking, check the airline’s pet policies since they can differ by size, breed, and the number of pets allowed. Smaller dogs that fit in a carrier crate under the seat can often fly in the cabin, while larger dogs may need to fly in the cargo hold. Make sure your dog’s carrier meets the airline’s size and ventilation requirements, whether they’re flying in the cabin or cargo.
You’ll also need the right paperwork, especially if you’re flying internationally. Most airlines require a health certificate from your vet, as well as up-to-date vaccination records. Some destinations may need additional paperwork, like proof of rabies vaccinations or other certifications, so double-check before you fly.
More Tips for Flying With a Dog
Aside from airline rules, there are a few other things to keep in mind to make the trip easier:
- Health Check: Make sure your dog is healthy enough for air travel. If your dog is older or has health concerns, talk to your vet before booking.
- Calming Aids: Long flights can make dogs anxious. Consider natural calming options like CBD pet treats, and pack a favorite toy or blanket to keep them comfortable and calm.
- Flight Timing: Try to book direct flights to avoid extra stress from layovers. Morning or evening flights are usually cooler, which is especially important if your dog is flying in the cargo hold.
Book Pet-Friendly Stays Before You Go
Where your dog sleeps matters as much as how they get there. Confirm pet-friendly hotels or rentals in writing before you book, since policies, size limits, and pet fees vary widely from one property to the next. Look for places with green space nearby so your dog has somewhere to stretch and relieve themselves after a long travel day. Knowing your dog has a welcoming, familiar-feeling place to settle into at the other end takes a lot of the stress out of the journey for both of you.
Travel pulls dogs out of their normal routine, & steady calming support helps them settle on the road or in the air.
Keep Your Dog Calm on Travel Days
Car Travel and Road Trips With a Dog
Road trips with your dog can be a fun way to explore new destinations, but ensuring your dog’s safety and comfort is essential for a stress-free journey. Whether you’re traveling long-distance or just for a few hours, these tips will help keep your dog relaxed and secure during car travel.
Use a Dog Carrier or Safety Harness
Safety should always come first when traveling by car with your dog. Allowing your dog to roam freely in the car can be distracting and dangerous for both of you. Instead, invest in a dog carrier or a specially designed seat belt harness. For smaller dogs, a carrier crate provides a secure space, while larger dogs may feel more comfortable with a harness that attaches to the seatbelt, keeping them safely in place.
Take Regular Breaks on Long Drives
If you’re embarking on a long-distance traveling adventure, it’s important to plan regular breaks for your dog to stretch, relieve themselves, and get some fresh air. Stopping every couple of hours helps your dog stay comfortable and prevents boredom or stress from building up.
Bring along waste bags and keep an eye out for safe, dog-friendly rest stops where your dog can get a break from being in the car. These stops are also a great time to offer water, a light snack, or a pet calming chew if your dog shows signs of stress.
Never Leave Your Dog Alone in a Hot Car
While this is a well-known safety tip, it bears repeating. The convenience of leaving your dog alone in the car while you run a quick errand is tempting, but it’s never a good idea.
Even with the windows slightly cracked, cars can heat up dangerously fast in the sun—leading to heatstroke or worse. On a hot day, the temperature inside a vehicle can rise by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes, making it unbearable and unsafe for your dog.
Beyond the pet hazards from extreme temperatures, leaving them alone in a car can also cause dog separation stress. This added stress, especially after the excitement of travel, can lead to destructive behaviors like biting seats or scratching at doors, which not only damages the car but could be a hazard to your pet.
Help Your Dog With Motion Sickness
Some dogs get carsick, especially puppies and dogs that rarely ride in vehicles. The signs often look like drooling, lip-licking, whining, or vomiting once the car is moving. Feed a light meal three to four hours before you leave rather than right before, keep the car cool and well ventilated, and secure your dog facing forward instead of side to side. Short practice drives in the weeks before a big trip help a sensitive stomach get used to the motion. If your dog still struggles, talk to your veterinarian about motion sickness options that fit your travel plans.
Emergency Preparedness for Traveling With a Dog
Even with the best plans, unexpected things can happen, so it’s smart to be ready for anything when traveling with your dog. If things don’t go according to plan, you’ll need to keep your pup safe. Pet emergency preparedness means creating a disaster kit or emergency kit that includes a pet-specific first aid kit. Here are the essential supplies to include:
- Basics like bandages, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, and sterile gloves
- Medications your dog regularly takes, as well as an antihistamine such as Benadryl and motion sickness medicine
- Extra food, treats, and water
- Pet supplements and natural calming aids like CBD oil
- Copy of vaccination records and microchip information
- List of emergency pet clinics and pet-friendly hotels in the area you’ll be staying
By having an emergency plan, packing the right supplies, and knowing where to turn in an emergency, you can travel with peace of mind, knowing your dog will be safe.
Frequently Asked Questions About Traveling With a Dog
How can I keep my dog calm while traveling?
Start with a walk or play session to burn off energy before you leave, bring familiar items like a blanket or favorite toy, and keep your dog secured in a carrier or harness. For dogs that get worked up on the road or in the air, natural calming support like full-spectrum hemp extract CBD oil can help them stay relaxed without sedation.
Can I give my dog CBD before traveling?
Many pet parents use CBD or full-spectrum hemp extract to help their dog stay calm during travel. It works with the body's endocannabinoid system, which helps regulate mood and a normal stress response. Give it ahead of departure so it has time to take effect, and talk to your veterinarian first if your dog takes other traditional therapies.
How much does it cost to fly with a dog?
In-cabin fees usually run from $75 to $200 per flight, and cargo fees are higher. Costs vary by airline and by whether your dog flies in the cabin or cargo hold. Book your dog's spot early, since each flight limits how many pets can travel.
How often should I stop on a road trip with my dog?
Plan a break every couple of hours so your dog can stretch, drink water, and relieve themselves. Regular stops keep your dog comfortable and prevent restlessness from building up on long drives.
What should I pack when traveling with a dog?
Bring food, treats, water and a travel bowl, waste bags, a leash, vaccination and microchip records, any regular medications, and a familiar blanket or toy. A pet first aid kit and a list of emergency vet clinics and pet-friendly hotels along your route are smart additions.
Do dogs get motion sickness in the car?
Yes, some dogs experience car sickness, especially puppies and dogs that rarely ride in vehicles. Feeding a light meal a few hours before you leave, keeping the car cool and well ventilated, and securing your dog facing forward can help. Ask your vet about motion sickness options for dogs that struggle on the road.
For further reading, we recommend:
- Humane Society — What to Do If You See a Pet in a Parked Car
- ASPCA — Travel Safety Tips
- Humane Society - How to Travel Safely With Your Pet by Car, Airplane, Ship, or Train
- Cornell Riney Canine Health Center — CBD: What You Need to Know About Its Uses and Efficacy
- PetMD - Signs of Stress in Dogs and Puppies
- AVMA - Microchipping FAQ
- AKC Reunite - Pet Travel Resources
- Earth Buddy - How to Travel With a Cat
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