Can I take young puppies on a long car trip? Safety & care tips.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is safe for her to make the trip. I would just make frequent stops so she can stretch her legs and go to the bathroom. I wouldn’t feed her during the trip in case she gets car sick. Kisses to your new pup!

Have a crate for her to sleep and ride in on the way. It will make her feel more secure and is safer for your pet in the event there is an accident. Make sure she has access to plenty of water and make sure to get some of the food she has been getting at the breeder, even if you plan to switch her to something else. Abruptly changing her diet can cause diarrhea and she doesn't need that additional stress on a long road trip. Make sure you have a secure harness and leash and keep it on her at all times when she is not in the crate. That way if she runs from you, you have a way of catching her easily before she gets herself into trouble. Have honey or light Karo syrup on hand in case she gets low blood sugar, as small breed puppies can be susceptible to hypoglycemia when under stress. Just take it easy on the trip and hopefully she'll be a great traveler for you. Good luck with your new baby!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Tiffany. I would recommend starting very slow with her. If she does not get car sick, you can offer treats. Start by driving her around the block. Do this until she seems more comfortable. Then gradually increase the distance. You can give her a special treat or toy that she only gets in the car to create a positive association. You can also drive her somewhere she likes such as a park for her to play. Most puppies will adjust with time. Just be consistent with her and do short trips daily. I hope this information helps!

In my opinion it is not a very good idea. The main reason is that your puppy has not been vaccinated yet and at the age of 8-10weeks puppies become susceptible for many infections (including parvovirus). Viruses, such as parvovirus, can be passed on puppies even without direct contact with infected dogs. The virus can be transmitted for example via schoes dirty in soil, cloths, could be picked up in carparks etc.

You should give home a lot of exercise on each day before the trip if possible. A tried dog has less energy for anxiety. Here is a helpful link about traveling with a pet in general: https://www.petcoach.co/article/dog-travel-safety-tips/ You may want to call your veterinarian to ask about anti-vomiting medication just in case. Some puppies will be prone to car sickness. You may also want to make sure he is up to date on vaccines and ask if he needs any flea or heartworm prevention. You may also want to stuff treats into a kong and then seal it with peanut butter. This may help to entertain him. You may also invest a 1 or 2 new toys that he may be excited about since they are new. Also make sure to offer him water regularly. Best of luck!

Congratulations on your new puppy! I've been in this situation as well, driving several hours home from a breeder's house with a new pup who needs to pee :) Your puppy will almost certainly need to go to the bathroom at some point during the trip - so yes, you'll need to stop somewhere. As long as he has started his vaccine series, his risk of contracting parvo or other diseases is really quite low as the vaccines are very effective... so you should use common sense and not put him in high-risk situations, but there's no reason that he can't walk in the grass for a few minutes to potty. I do normally recommend avoiding rest areas and other places that large numbers of people walk their dogs - instead, stop at a fast food restaurant or a gas station a mile or two from the highway, since this should be a much lower-traffic area in terms of strange dogs. And yes, I would recommend a crate for the car ride, for safety. Put a soft blanket and a toy or two from the breeder's, if she has one that she can send so that he has something that smells familiar.

I don't recommend to give a new puppy something for car sickness as Lady is very young and she may not have issues with car sickness. It will help to make sure she is not given any vaccines or dewormers within 24 hours of her trip. Keep her in your lap in the back seat or have her carrier easily accessible. Try to take a towel or something with the scent of her mother. Hopefully you will have a quiet trip back home. Congratulations and best of luck!