Summer is peak road trip season, and there's nothing better than loading up the car and heading out on an adventure with your dog. But between scorching asphalt, high highway speeds, and the hot sun, traveling with a pup requires a lot more than just cracking a window and hoping for the best.
Long hours in a moving vehicle and intense summer heat place unique physical stresses on a dog's body. To help you keep your copilot safe and healthy on your next getaway, Leah Callaghan, a veterinary nurse at Butternut Box, has shared her essential summer travel rules every pet parent needs to know.
Highway Safety: Road Trip Prep for Pups
According to Callaghan, true safety on the road is all about protecting your dog's physical anatomy from the unique stresses of highway driving.
1. Choose a crash-tested harness over a collar
Many pet parents mistakenly clip a travel tether directly to their dog’s standard collar, which can be dangerous.
"From a clinical perspective, the anatomy of the canine neck is incredibly vulnerable," says Callaghan. "The trachea, esophagus, and thyroid gland are protected by very little soft tissue."
If you have to slam on the brakes at highway speeds, a collar exerts violent, concentrated force on the throat, which can lead to a collapsed trachea or severe spinal damage. Callaghan recommends a crash-tested harness instead. A harness safely distributes that sudden kinetic energy across the chest and ribcage (the strongest parts of their skeletal frame).
2. Take hourly rest stops to fight car sickness
Spending hours in a climate-controlled car is surprisingly dehydrating. Standard vehicle air conditioning strips humidity out of the air, which dries out your dog's mouth and nose, making it harder for them to pant and regulate their core temperature.
Plan to offer fresh water every 60 minutes. These hourly pit stops also give your dog's vestibular system (the balance center in their inner ear) a chance to reset. Stepping onto stationary, solid ground stops the neurological "mismatch" that triggers motion sickness and drooling.
If rest stops and fresh air aren't enough to calm your pup's stomach, talk to your veterinarian before you leave. They can prescribe travel-specific medications (like maropitant) that safely block the brain signals that trigger motion sickness.
3. Aim your AC towards the floorboard
It's a dangerous misconception that cracking a window is enough to cool a dog in a slow-moving or parked car. Dogs cannot sweat efficiently; they rely almost completely on panting to evaporate moisture. A car's cabin can heat up to fatal temperatures in just minutes, causing rapid heatstroke. Her number one rule: a dog should never be left alone in a vehicle, regardless of the weather or how brief your stop might be.
Even while you're actively driving, check that your vehicle's AC vents are aimed toward the floorboards or back cargo area where your dog is resting, rather than just cooling down the human passengers up front.
Planning to be outdoors? Be sure to check our guide on how hot is too hot for a dog before heading out.
Beach & Lake Safety: Sun, Sand, and Surf
If your summer road trip involves a stop by the water, your dog is likely going to dive right in. Keep these coastal rules in mind to avoid an emergency vet visit:
4. Prevent saltwater poisoning & wash off sand immediately
Thirsty, excited dogs arriving at the beach will often try to gulp down the water right in front of them. Ingesting seawater leads to hypernatremia—a sudden, life-threatening spike in blood sodium levels.
"This can cause vomiting, lethargy, and even seizures," says Callaghan. Always bring a clean travel bowl right down to the shoreline and offer fresh water frequently to prevent them from gulping at the waves.
A quick dip in the ocean might cool your dog down, but letting them air-dry right after can trigger serious skin issues. "Salt and sand are highly abrasive. If left in the dog’s coat, they can cause 'hot spots' or acute moist dermatitis," says Callaghan. "A thorough freshwater rinse—focusing on the paws and between the toes—is important after every beach visit."
5. Do a quick hydration check
When traveling, it's easy to lose track of how much water your dog has had. You can check their hydration status using two simple tests:
- The Gum Test: Gently lift your dog’s lip and feel their gums—they should feel moist and slick, not dry or tacky. Press your finger against the gum; the color should return to a healthy pink quickly after you release the pressure.
- The Urine Check: You can tell a lot about your dog's fluid levels just by watching them during a bathroom break. Callaghan suggests using the color of their urine as a quick gauge while on the road. "Pale yellow is generally a good sign that they're well hydrated, while very dark urine may mean they need more water and a longer rest before active walks or beach time," she explains.
Heading into tall grass or woods near the lake? Don't forget to inspect your pup afterwards! Learn what a tick looks like on a dog so you can catch them early.