Part of Our Continuing Series On Travelling With Pets
An important part of any vacation plan is the food. You probably think about what restaurants you’d like to try and what car snacks you need to buy before setting out for a road trip.
If you are like us, you love bringing your pup along on trips whenever possible. Fido has needs, too. Bringing your pet along for the trip adds an additional dimension to the planning.
What your dog will eat on the road is actually the easy part: she’ll probably chow down on whatever she normally eats. We pack a plastic container with our pup’s dry food and measuring scoop, and she’s all set. (Our dog has a bowl and treats in the car at all times, so we don’t need to pack those items for a longer trip.)
The bigger question for a long road trip with your dog, is what she’ll do while YOU are eating? You can’t leave your pup alone in the car while you spend an hour slowly munching on a fancy dinner. You need to plan ahead to make sure that your meal stops will be either quick, or outdoors.
When we are traveling with our Moo dog, we frequently pack a picnic lunch. This way everyone gets to stay together to eat. We love our picnics, and we can all keep an eye on the pup. All we have to do is track down a suitable park or scenic spot for a snack.
Another easy option is to get your food to-go. This way, you can eat restaurant food when a picnic is not desirable or feasible. You will only be away from your dog for a few minutes while you place your order. Then you and your pup van find a shady park, or just roll down the windows and eat in the lot.
Tip: If all else fails, leave your car on with the A/C running, and lock your car doors. It is not at all the best choice, but it’ll keep your pup safe for a short time.
Drive-thrus are a variation on food to-go. Many chains offer dog biscuits or other treats to traveling pups. Our Moo used to love going to Dunkin’ Donuts in New Hampshire because she always got a free munchkin, just for being cute. The downside? You usually end up eating while driving.
The main thing is to keep your pup in mind when on the road. Fancy dining may be off the menu, but you can still find many options for eating that ensure the safety of your pup, and give you both a chance to relax and stretch before you continue to explore.