Enjoy the Dog Days of Summer With Your Dog

Taking a road trip is the quintessential summer vacation. You load up the car with necessities, a handful of snacks, and a map (or just your smartphone nowadays), and you find adventure wherever the road takes you. Want to know what makes a road trip even better? Taking your dog with you!

Your dog can be the ultimate adventure partner when you’re ready to hit the road. Whether you’re hiking and camping or you’d rather stay somewhere with room service, Central Florida is home to plenty of awesome destinations that you and your dog can enjoy together. Many such locations are less than a day’s drive away from the Orlando area.

Should I Take My Dog on a Road Trip?

Every dog has a unique personality, just like the humans who love them. While some children enjoy camping trips with their parents and siblings, others would prefer to stay in the comfort of their homes. In much the same way, be sure your dog’s temperament is suited to the activities you intend to enjoy on your road trip.

If your dog gets uncomfortable during car rides, a road trip will not be a good fit for them. If your dog is sick or injured, they should stay at home to rest and recover. Additionally, if your dog doesn’t deal well with crowds, you won’t want to bring them with you to a popular destination. Some dogs enjoy being out at dog-friendly restaurants while others prefer exploring quiet trails. You know your dog better than anyone else does; use your common sense and don’t force them into a situation that will be too overwhelming. 

What Supplies Will You Need on Your Dog-Friendly Road Trip?

Adequate preparation is the best tool to help you ensure you and your dog will have a great time on your vacation. When you’re packing for your dog, be sure to bring:

• Plenty of food and fresh drinking water and appropriate dishes. You’ll want to make sure you bring along a sufficient amount of food to keep your dog fed for the duration of your trip, with a little extra just to be safe. Additionally, make sure you take along a few jugs of drinking water so your dog can stay safely hydrated. If you feed your dog fresh food, make sure you have a reliable way to keep your food chilled, whether you will have a refrigerator at your destination or you intend to maintain it in a cooler.

• Lots of high-reward treats! If your dog is being introduced to a new environment, you want to make sure you can reward them for good behavior in unfamiliar situations. Bring along plenty of healthy, natural dog treats to reinforce their training and encourage them to play and explore safely.

• Leash, collar/harness, and ID tags. Your dog’s safety should be your top priority on your road trip. Make sure you have appropriate collars or harnesses and leashes so you can make sure your dog’s exploration is controlled and easily monitored. Also, even if you have your dog microchipped–which you should–be sure to attach an updated ID tag to their collar to ensure they can be returned to you quickly and safely should they wander.

• First aid kit and vet records. Accidents happen. If your dog has a medical emergency, you want to make sure you can address it from your current location instead of having to drive all the way back home. Make sure you have a complete first aid kit so that you can patch up minor cuts, scratches, and bug bites right away. In case you run into a more serious issue, it’s a good idea to have their veterinary records handy. 

• Toys and comfort items. Even the most adventurous dog can become overwhelmed in a new setting. Be sure to bring along some of your dog’s favorite toys and any blankets, pillows, or comfort items they use to self-soothe. Whether you’re staying in a hotel or camping in the wilderness, you’ll want to set up a safe space for them to call their home away from home.

Where Are the Best Dog-Friendly Road Trips in Central Florida? 

Many major destinations around the state of Florida are considered dog friendly! Here are a few selections to choose from based on your personal preferences:

Beach Destinations

Key West is known for being a dog-friendly destination, and the Key West Dog Beach is a great place to start. After some fun in the sun, you and your dog can cool off at one of several nearby dog-friendly restaurants and bars. Many hotels and rentals in the area are dog-friendly and even geared toward dog lovers. 

If you’d rather head north, Jacksonville also has several great dog-friendly beaches to choose from. Just be sure to check the calendar before you hit the sand with your furry friend: dogs are generally not allowed on the beach during turtle nesting season. 

City Destinations

Vacations with dogs don’t just have to be outdoorsy! Many cities are becoming increasingly dog friendly, with resorts, parks, and activity centers for dogs of all ages and breeds. If you prefer a staycation, Orlando is a wonderfully dog-friendly city. Enjoy a latte with your dog at Cups and Pups, or take them out for a tail-waggin’ good time at Pups Pub. There are plenty of parks around the city where you can enjoy a stroll and a sniff. 

West Palm is also becoming one of the most dog-friendly destinations in the state. Most notably, the luxury Ben Hotel even offers dog-friendly room service! With so many restaurants and boutiques named after the owners’ dogs around the city center, it should come as no surprise that our furry friends are highly celebrated there. 

Adventure Destinations

Sniffing out new trails? Your options are abundant! Head to St. Augustine to explore the oldest city in the United States. The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park is dog-friendly and gives you the option to explore real Florida history. The area is known for being welcoming to dogs and their humans. 

Lake Louisa State Park in Clermont has luxury “glamping” accommodations that are dog-friendly and give you easy access to some incredible hiking trails, canoeing and paddleboarding sites, and nature watching opportunities. This is a great option for anyone looking to experience a variety of adventures all in one place!

Take a Trip You and Your Dog Will Never Forget

We’ve only just started to scratch the surface of all the wonderful places throughout Florida where you can take a great road trip with your dog. When you’re ready to stock up on extra dog food and treats for the road, head over to our shop and order a few of your dog’s favorites. We can’t wait to hear about all of your amazing adventures together!

Preparing for a Long Journey With Your Pet

Summer is hot on our heels, and with it come summer vacations, trips to the beach, and family getaways for the whole family. There are so many dog-friendly activities around Florida that cater to pets of all different sizes, ages, and activity levels and their parents. But before you hit the open road, there’s one thing to consider: you need to cater to your dog’s needs during the journey. 

While many dogs do love car rides – we’ve all seen happy pups with their heads out the window, ears flapping in the breeze – it’s still important to make sure your dog will stay comfortable for the duration of your travels, especially if you’ll be on the road for more than a couple of hours. As always, preparation is key to make the trip a success! 

What if Your Dog Has Car Anxiety?

Some dogs aren’t as excited as others to hop in the car and go for a ride. Just like humans, some dogs may get car sick, and others just don’t like to be enclosed in a small space for very long. While you can still take your dog places, we recommend that you don’t travel too far if you know your dog has travel anxiety. Even with all the toys, treats, and comfort items, your dog will still get uncomfortable at some point.

If you have a few months before your road trip commences, you can start training your dog to love the car. Take it slowly and give your dog treats every time they comfortably approach your vehicle. Once they’re happy enough to hop in on their own, take short trips and give them plenty of treats along the way. You can even set up some puzzle games and toys in the car so they have a reason to look forward to being in there. 

Equipment to Bring for Your Dog-Friendly Road Trip

Food and Water

Dogs are creatures of habit and function the best when they’re sticking to a schedule. If your road trip will coincide with their regular feeding time, make sure you factor in a stop so you can feed them appropriately. If your dog tends to graze throughout the day, make sure their food is accessible in a stable location so they won’t stumble or strain themselves while they’re feeding. 

All dogs should have clean, fresh water readily available to them at all times. If you’ll be on the road for longer than an hour, you should invest in a travel bowl that’s comfortable enough to drink from and can stay sturdy inside a moving vehicle. Bring along enough water with you so you can go the duration of your trip without seeing an empty water bowl.

Safety Harnesses and Equipment

While Florida laws do not require dogs to be restrained in your car while you’re driving, it’s still a good idea to make sure they have safety equipment that will keep them from stumbling and protect them in the event that you need to stop short. Specialized harnesses hook up to your seatbelts and keep your dog secure without being uncomfortable.

If your dog is more comfortable in his kennel, get a travel kennel and put it in the back of your car. This is ideal for people with SUVs and cars that have back seats that can fold down. Your dog will feel right at home while you’re on the go! Just make sure they still have access to their food and water. 

Toys, Treats, and Comfort Items

Even a dog that loves car rides can get bored or uncomfortable after an extended period of time. Give them lots of fun and comforting items that keep them busy and make them feel safe. Offer treats to your dogs for good behavior and give them toys to snuggle and some to chew on. Be sure that offering treats doesn’t turn you into a distracted driver; it’s safest to grab and offer treats when your car is at a full stop. 

Tips for Staying Safe and Having Fun

Factor in More Stops Than You Would Without Your Dog

You may have developed a bladder of steel if you’re a seasoned road trip enthusiast, but your dog should have plenty of opportunities to take a break and do their business. Be sure to properly clean up after your dog at every stop; you’ll want to bring plenty of waste collection bags with you in case they’re not freely available. Your dog will also appreciate the chance to smell some new smells and explore!

Ensure Your Dog Has His Own Space

It can be so tempting to cuddle your dog on your lap while you drive, but doing so can be very dangerous. Not only does it turn you into a distracted driver and prevent you from having full range of motion, it also puts your dog at risk in the case of stopping short or an accident. Make sure your dog has a designated space in your car, preferably in the back seat. This can take some getting used to, so it’s a good idea to spend time familiarizing your dog with their area before you hit the road. 

Sleepy Dogs are Happy Travelers

The best scenario for everyone is when your dog gets to snooze while you get a majority of the driving out of the way. Before you start your journey, make sure you take your dog for a long walk and give them some mental stimulation through puzzles and toys. They’ll be in a relaxed state by the time you start to drive, and they should be able to get a nap in. 

There’s Nothing Better Than a Vacation With Your Dog

We love being able to take our dogs to the beaches and dog-friendly places across the state. Florida is a wonderful place for pet parents to thrive and give their pets lots of new and fun experiences. When you’re ready to hit the road, make sure you’re stocked up with healthy dog treats to make the trip fun and easy. Visit our online shop and choose from peanut butter & pumpkin flavor or blueberry & oat flavor!