Long car rides and two pups?

Question

My husband and I are going from Maine to Florida in three weeks, we will be driving. We have two dogs that are coming with is, one is a year old and the other is about 7 months old. We're probably going to go down in two or three days, the first day we'll stop after only 4 hours to visit his grandparents in Conn. before we go down, then we'll play it by ear on the second day, either travelling the whole 20 hours at once, or stopping about half way through. Any suggestions for the long car rides? Obviously we'll be stopping every couple of hours for potty breaks...and we'll keep plenty of water and food available for them. Should we crate them in the car?

Answer 1

the ACE is what the vet gave me for Faith's trip, but hubby didn't need it (didn't he give it to you?).

make sure you take them on little trips around town everyday before you leave. preferably with a friend or your hubby to help control them (don't want them climbing into your lap while driving). you could at least bring the crates since they fold so nicely just in case. maybe leave 1 up and the pups could take turns resting.

there's also a net that's easy to install to keep the pups contained in the back (found in most pet supply stores).

what area of Florida are you going to?

Answer 2

I wouldn't crate either of them unless there is a problem on the first leg of the trip.  My dog loves to ride in the car but we have a great dog sitter then we are going out of town for any length of time.  Good luck and stop often for the potty breaks and drinks.  I also wouldn't feed them much if this is their first trip.

Answer 3

I drove my step daughter from Chicago to Fort Worth with two cats and a dog.  Teach your dogs to drink bottled water (from bottles) so you won't have to have bowls on the floor.  They should eat very little while in the car and you should stop (like you said) every few hours.  I have taken many animals on long trips and they don't do well in crates, unless they get car sick.  Just make sure that your stops are long enough to go potty and you keep treats on hand for the "tad" bit of food that they will need.

Good luck and safe driving!

Answer 4

I dont think sedating your animal is advised, most dogs love the car and are just happy to be near you, toilet breaks and water is all you need

Good luck and enjoy

Answer 5

Traveling with any pets that are not accustomed to long rides is going to be stressful, not to say it is compounded by the dogs being so young.    The 1yr  old  should fair  pretty well but the puppy may take some  extra planning.  

Allot would depend on if you only take them in the car to go to the Vet or if they have traveled in the car for fun trips like the park or a visit to the pet store, etc.  

If  they have only had rides in the car to the Vet's office,  you can plan some fun trips during the next three weeks, to get them accustomed to the car meaning fun trips  not just  the Vet.  

Next  I have never used Ace  on any of my animals to travel by car,  you don't need them sleepy  especially  during the stops they need to walk and get some exercise.    I would  actually take some benydrl with if you need to calm them it does almost the same as ace without the extreme sedation.  

I would always  crate the animals  on car trips  the crates give them the feeling of comfort plus  the added  feature of keeping them safe.  If you are planning on using the ACE  then the crate is most definately the way you must consider to keep them from flopping around the car because they are drowsy.   They could get hurt.  

The  problems are large enough without having to deal with sedated dogs too.   Keep  them  unsedated  try  stopping  every 2 hours for them to stretch and run around,  caution with rest stops  there are alot of viruses  due to people not picking up after their dogs.   These viruses are contagious to your animals so walk in areas  that seem a bit cleaner.   After their run/walk give them some water and they should settle down, until the next stop.    They will soon the hang of this type of travel and conform easily enough to the stops and starts without  sedation.  

I also would make sure what you have in that container before giving any to the dogs.   You should treat any medication this way - - know what you have and be certain it is for the right animal as meds are generally prescribed for weight.  

Keep positive and remember  the puppy will need more frequent stops then the older dog.   If  2 hours is too long  you will have  to make more frequent stops  sooner.    I always  gauge  2 hours its about the time it would  take for the increased water intake to hit their bladders.  They tend to drink more because they are over excited and a bit stressed which makes them  warm.   Then they tend to drink more to cool down.  

Hope  that helps  and you have a wonderful trip.  

Answer 6

Ace is probably not necessary, unless your dogs hate the car. I would transport them in whatever way they usually ride in the car. To avoid carsickness, feed them only after you are through driving for the day. You can use dramamine to prevent carsickness as well, and your vet can advise a dose based on size. I use 1/2 tablet for my 40lb dog, per vet's recommendation.

Answer 7

You can ask your vet for an Rx for acepromazine - it's a sedative that should help them through the ride.

As for the crate: if it keeps them safe, it should be fine.  You don't want to come to a sudden stop (or get in an accident) and have them flying about freely in the car.

Answer 8

I suggest crating.

for you and your dogs safety...

as for the trip it sounds like you've got everything covered.

I just think crating would make things a whole lot easer and safer,

have fun on the trip!

sounds like a fun one :D

hope the dogs enjoy to.

what lucky little devils!

hehe....

x*x

Answer 9

Don't sedate them unnecessarily.  The odds are that they won't be car sick.  I think that with frequent car stops and water while travelling and dry food when you stop they should be fine.  I have travelled many kilometres with the different dogs that I've had with no adverse effects.  The longest car ride was from Brisbane, Qld to Borroloola in the NT.  We were travelling in trucks and the trip took 4 long days.  I had 2 dogs - 4 months and 6 months (Border Collies).  No worries :)

Answer 10

I start traveling with my mini schnauzers at a very young age so by the time they are around 8 weeks old they don't mind traveling at all.. I of course raise them in my home, so I think that they would be fine traveling you just gotta like you said stop alot to let them out to play and exercise.. My dogs don't eat alot when we go on long trips which I don't eat alot either so I don't get sick and I think thats kinda why they don't eat to much they drink some.. I sometimes take there carrier with me, but for the most part I don't they just lay in the passengers seat beside me...

best of luck

Answer 11

i would crate just in case of accident.  sounds as if you have the trip thought out.

take copies of their vet records, just in case.