Dealing with dog poop while traveling
Dog poop, like other canine bodily functions that insinuate themselves into daily life, continues to happen - even on the go. When traveling, it is even more important to properly clean up after your pet, since you are in unfamiliar territory and the laws could be more extreme. Taking your pet on vacation requires some additional planning that may be inconvenient, but you will appreciate the forethought when on the road.
First and foremost, always be sure to carry the proper supplies. Dog poop bags are a must, and I also recommend a good carpet cleaner like Resolve. A bottle of hand sanitizer can be helpful for the road-side dog poops, when a sink is unavailable. Keep these necessities easily accessible; don’t waste valuabley driving time trying to dig through suitcases or under the seat.
Ensure that you have enough dog food with you to last the whole trip, particularly if the brand is hard to find. To acquire a bag of Sirius’ Innova Evo Small Bites, I had to make a two hour (one way) detour when in the south of Texas. Switching dog foods when on the road is a bad idea, especially if you’ve never used the brand before. Diarrhea is less fun in the car than one might imagine, and foul smelling air poops can ruin an otherwise pleasant ride.
A plastic container that has a tightly sealed lid can be a lifesaver during a bumpy car ride, but in most situations, securing the bag of dog food with a rubber band or twine should be enough to keep it contained. You can bring your pet’s regular food dish or a special fabric travel dish that folds up to save space. Just be sure Spot doesn’t think the fabric dish is a toy, or he might shred it. Of course, then you could claim your dog was so hungry that he ate the whole darn bowl. Sirius did this once; I found the remnants in his dog poop later that day.
Dogs need to drink a lot of water, but often have trouble doing so on a trip. An easy solution is to fill a gallon container with water from your home, so that it smells the same to Spot. Also, should you have car troubles on a hot day, you and your dog can stay hydrated until help arrives.
Be sure to offer as much water as your dog will drink, but take him out every few hours as needed. I have Sirius trained so that if I cup my hands around any water, he will drink from it. He’s afraid of hoses otherwise, but our system works well on the road. A plastic Tupperware container with a tightly sealing lid can be a lifesaver on short trips, or when you have to leave Spot in the car.
A small tangent: please don’t ever leave your dog in a car that’s sitting in the sun during the summer, unless it’s below 50 degrees outside – and still crack the windows even then. A car can heat up to over a hundred degrees in a matter of minutes when in direct sunlight, and many pets suffer heat stroke or even die from the extreme temperatures. If you must leave your dog in the car for a while, always find a well-shaded parking spot, even if it means walking a few blocks. Use sun screens and open the windows as much as possible, though not enough for Spot to stick his head out. If your dog is aggressive or snaps at people, consider purchasing a grate to put in your car window that will let in the maximum amount of air while keeping him safely inside. Leave an open bowl of water as well, but place it somewhere it won’t be knocked over. If Spot has foam-like saliva or begins to vomit, he may be suffering from heat stroke. Proceed to the vet immediately.
As a final note on traveling with your pet, be sure to let your dog out often. Dog poop doesn’t wait because you’re driving, and Spot will still need to go every four hours or so. You must pick up the dog poop even in designated doggy areas at rest sites and hotels, even if other folks haven’t. Be careful about letting your dog wander through tall grass or brush areas when in different climates; he may not know how to deal with a rattlesnake if you’re from Minnesota!
Keep these tips in mind when planning your trip and you should have a successful vacation with your pet. As always, have a happy dog poop day.
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