Road trips have been a part of our lives for as long as we can remember. Our most memorable trip was in 2019, when we spent four months on the road with our dogs, covering 12,500 km and 20 states across the country. From mountains to beaches, rain, hail or snow, we made the most of every moment.
Nature has been an integral part of our lives and while we were raised in the city, we are at home outdoors. And this is a love we share with our four-legged companions.
Our Furry Family
The experience of travelling with pets differs for everyone, but we have been lucky with our two OG dogs&mdashFrodo, our Golden Retriever, who passed away in 2020 at eight, and Cruise, our seven-year-old Labrador. We started taking them along with us when they were three months old, and they have loved it ever since.
Both of them associated our car with adventure. The longest Frodo and Cruise spent in a car was a record 17 hours. Our advice to pet parents is to start training them young. Start taking them along on car rides early, so they get comfortable with long drives. Animals often thrive in the outdoors, and it is here you can start taking them off the leash during their initial training.
Adding Cats To The Mix
We have adopted two cats, Noorie and Matri, and are parents to a seven-month-old indie pup named Tara. Our family of six continues going on adventures. We now take all four of them along on our trips, but travelling with cats is another ball game. They require more patience to train, and we recommend you do so with lots of treats and positive reinforcement at home. Start by taking them out on short drives and let them acclimatise. Ensure gardens are fenced when you take them out to play, and always keep meal times after outdoor time food should be a reward for them to return to you. The idea is to focus on building a routine.
When staying at hotels, keep the windows shut, so you don&rsquot lose them. However, since that is not always possible, make sure that the windows have some netting or are cat-proofed. Another tip for making your pets&rsquo journey comfortable is taking their favourite chew toys and comfort blankets along to help soothe any anxiety they might be experiencing.
Our cats don&rsquot mind being in the car, even for long drives. We pack extensively whenever we travel with them. They are in the crate and have their litter box close by. On pit stops, we walk our dogs and let our cats out of the crate so they can use their litter box, drink water or eat. To ensure our box feel cosy enough to sleep on the go, we cover the crate with a light sheet, keeping the front open.
Eco Conscious Travel
We have always promoted an eco conscious way of travel. By following simple, responsible habits like not littering, researching eco-friendly resorts to stay in, and being sensitive to your surroundings, you can do a lot for the environment. Reusing, recycling, and researching should be your three best friends to ensure you have a hassle-free adventure with your furry kids. Every trip you take with your pets will be better than the previous one.
Priyanka and Tanveer run a digital content design agency. They are owners of a homestay called Praana Experience and live in Udupi, Karnataka