Taking a long trip with a loved one can prove to be one of the most relaxing and refreshing things that you can do. The lives that we lead are constantly busy, and between school, work, clubs, and other commitments that we have, it sometimes seems like there’s never and end in sight. And, for a lot of us, there isn’t. Our jobs are getting more and more demanding, the organizations we’re a part of need more and more work, and that’s not even to mention the endless list of chores that need to be done at your house.

All of these commitments can quickly create stress, and as stress builds up, it becomes more and more difficult to effectively perform at the level that you need to. This can then create for a lot of trouble, and if you aren’t careful, you can quickly fall down the rabbit hole. In order to avoid all of this, sometimes a vacation somewhere far away is required. Vacations are absolutely necessary for recharging your batteries and giving your brain a rest from overworking itself all the time, and as enjoyable as these can be, things can become a bit complicated if you’re the owner of a pet.

When going away for a long time on a vacation, you might be torn as to whether or not you should take your pet with you. While some people put their pets in kennels while they’re gone, this is both costly and not the best situation for your pet, and taking your pet with you on your trip can actually create for a nice bonding experience with you and your furry friend.

As nice as it can be, there are some added things to you need to make sure you pack with you if you do decide to travel with your pet. Making sure you’ve got all of the important bits can often be a bit challenging, you we’re here to outline all of the most important items that you need to make sure you bring with you when traveling for a particularly long time with your pet.

Medicine

If your pet is currently taking any medications, it’s absolutely critical to make sure that you bring these with you when traveling. Your pet was put on their meds for a reason, and just because you’re taking them on a trip with you doesn’t mean that they get to stop taking them. In addition to bring your pet’s medication with you, also make sure that you’ve got enough to last you the entire time you’re going to be gone. If it looks like you’re running low, contact your vet and see if you can get a refill before you take off on your rip.

Blankets

During long car rides, your pet can become uncomfortable and tired. The same goes for humans, and one of the best ways to combat this is by simply making sure you’ve got plenty of blankets packed with you before you take off on your trip. Bring along some of your pet’s favorite blankets, and make sure they’re nice and cozy while you’re traveling. This will keep them more peaceful, and will also give you better peace of mind knowing that they’re as comfy and happy as they can be.

Plastic bags

While out on the road, your pet is going to need to use the bathroom. This means that you’ll need to make rest stops for them while traveling, and during these rest stops, you’ll need to make sure that you’ve got plastic bags to collect their poop once they’re done doing their business. While plastic bags are the most cost effective way to go about things, you can also opt for bags that are specifically designed for picking up and containing poop. These will cost a bit more, but if you’re willing to spend the extra cash, they’re a worth investment for these longer trips.

Food

Last but certainly not least, you need to make sure that you’ve got plenty of food packed for your pet during your trip. Along with packing the regular food that your pet eats on a daily basis, it’s also a good idea to bring along some treats that they enjoy. Long car rides aren’t anyone’s favorite thing, so giving your pet the food and snacks that they love the best can go a long way in regards to keeping them happy and content during the long trip.