Everyone loves going on vacation. Whether it’s a 3 week trip to Miami or a 3 day trip to the Rocky Mountains, we all need to take time to relax and recharge. And if you have a dog, you can take your four-legged friend with you. So find the best dog parks in the US and get ready to travel.
You’ve already done the research on dog friendly airlines, you have some dog vacation ideas, and you know which cities welcome dogs. But now you need to figure out the details. One of the first things you should think about is what to feed your dog on vacation. You don’t want your favorite furry family member to go hungry on your trip, so we’re going over the best way to feed your hound while you’re out of town.
What Does Your Dog Normally Eat?
House pets, and especially dogs, love regularity in their diet. So when you’re going on a trip, you don’t want to just buy the cheapest kibble to stow on the flight. You want to make sure that your hound isn’t going to suffer from a change in diet.
So if you normally feed your dog the same brand of dry food, you’ll want to bring that food with you on vacation. But if you used canned food or even make their own food, you may have more trouble doing that. Maybe the brand of food you have isn’t available where you go, or you won’t be able to make your own food.
If you want to take your pup on a trip and want to feed them a travel-friendly food, make sure not to do it suddenly. Instead, 2 or 3 weeks before the trip, start to introduce the new food. Mix it in with their usual dinner, and slowly replace it. That way they’ll be used to the new food when you depart for your vacation.
What Should Your Dog Eat On Vacation?
If you don’t want to wean your doggy off of their usual diet, then you’ll have to take the steps to accommodate them during travel. Here are a few tips for making sure that your pop has a healthy diet on your adventure together.
Dry food
Dry food is the easy option here, since you can easily take some with you. Just throw some into an airtight plastic bag in your luggage, and you should be good for up to 10 or 12 days, depending on your dog breed.
If you have a bigger pet, or you plan to make an extended stay, consider bringing a while bag of food as part of your checked luggage. Or even consider purchasing food in your destination. If they don;t carry your brand where you’ll be staying, arrange to have it delivered to your hotel.
Canned food
Canned food is a little tougher to replace on a trip. At most, a single can is 2 or 3 meals of food, and they can be way too heavy to lug around. Unless you’re only spending a night or 2 at your destination, you’ll need to buy food where you’re staying.
If you want to feed your dog wet food on vacation, do some research about your destination. Try to get a hotel near a pet food store, and make sure the store carries your brand. Or you can order the food online and have it delivered to you.
Homemade food
If you make your own dog food, then you’re going to have the toughest time feeding your dog on vacation. Depending on the meats, grains, and supplements you use, you may or may not be able to make food on your trip.
If you have a short flight, you can make food in bulk and freeze it. Or if you’re only staying somewhere for a day or two, your pup can finish it before it goes bad. Your best bet is bringing your own dried goods, like nutritional powders, supplements, and rice, and purchase the meat in your destination.
Depending on what you put in your homemade dog food, you can also substitute your hound’s normal diet for something travel friendly. If you make your own mix to be cost effective, consider swapping it out, just for this trip. Or if you mix in nutritional supplements, switch over to canned food for the trip and add the supplements in yourself.
Keeping Your Pooch Healthy On Vacation
Having a dog is a huge responsibility, but incredibly rewarding. Taking your pet on a trip makes any vacation more enjoyable, so make sure you’re feeding your puppy right. Take the steps to ensure that you’re feeding you dog the best food you can while you’re traveling.
At Woofjet, we have all of the information you need to have a successful vacation with your pet. From airline info to step-by-step instructions to travel supplies, we’ve got you covered.