Road trips
Road trip with dog NZ: complete pet travel guide
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Hitting the road with your furry friend is the stuff that dreams are made of. But if you’re unprepared or unaware of your duties as a dog owner, your relaxing holiday might get a bit ruff.
Never fear! Our travel and camping experts are here to help with a list of the top 10 tips for a road trip with your dog. Follow our advice and you’re guaranteed to have a great vacation with your pooch.
Tips for a road trip with your dog
1. Prepare a packing list for your dog
Don’t leave for a road trip with your dog without first packing these essentials:
A collar (GPS collars are handy if you’re worried about your dog getting lost)
A leash
A name tag with up-to-date contact details
Dog food and treats
Dog bowls (collapsible travel bowls save space)
A harness, seat, crate or barrier to secure your dog in the vehicle
Dog seat covers or old sheets and towels to protect your interior
Dog poop bags
A copy of your dog’s vaccination records
A handheld vacuum
An old dog bed, blanket or mat for your dog to sleep on
Dog toys
Old rags and baby wipes for cleaning up
2. Think about where your dog will sit and sleep during the road trip
When you set up your camper at night, you’ll need to consider where your dog will get a comfortable sleep. This means ensuring that your dog is not too hot or cold and that it is getting enough fresh air.
Some campervans and motorhomes are pet-friendly and will have a dedicated spot for your dog to sleep (Camplify offers pet-friendly campervan hire in New Zealand). In this case, all you need to do is lay down an old dog bed or blanket. Alternatively, you can always bring a separate tent or a collapsible travel crate/kennel for your dog to sleep in!
Similarly, when considering where your dog will sit for the duration of your road trip, try to find a comfortable space that isn’t jam-packed with luggage. Just like a human, your dog want’s a spacious spot where it doesn’t feel cramped or hot.
The more comfortable your dog is, the better behaved it’ll be!
3. Get your dog used to road trips
If your dog isn’t used to road trips, chances are they will whine and potentially be sick on your first long journey.
In the weeks before you leave for your holiday, get your dog used to road trips by taking it on shorter journeys around your local area.
Also, train yourself to recognise the signs of travel sickness or discomfort. These can include whining and pacing, excessive drooling, licking lips, lethargy, vomiting and diarrhoea.
4. Restrain your dog whilst driving
How you restrain your dog whilst on a road trip will depend on what kind of vehicle you are driving and what your dog finds most comfortable.
A barrier is great if your dog will be sitting in the very rear of the vehicle, as this will prevent it from jumping into the rear passenger seat. It also gives your dog a lot of freedom and comfort. However, it will not stop your dog from flying into the back seat if you have to brake suddenly. For that reason, some people find a crate to be a safer option.
If your dog is going to sit on the rear passenger seat, it’s highly recommended that you use a harness to restrain it from walking around the vehicle. A dog seat can also add an extra layer of comfort for your pet.
Never let your dog ride shotgun in the front passenger seat or on your lap, as they will likely be injured if the airbags deploy during an accident. Similarly, refrain from letting your dog stick their head out the window, as they might be injured by passing objects.
5. Don’t leave your dog unattended
The temperatures inside your vehicle can rise quickly, even on the mildest of days. Never leave your dog unattended in your vehicle as they may succumb to heatstroke.
In New Zealand, if you are caught leaving your dog unattended inside a hot vehicle, you can expect to receive a fine of up to $300. It is your legal duty to ensure that your dog isn’t compulsively looking for the coolest part of your vehicle and isn’t showing signs of heat stress (e.g. excessive panting or drooling).
Use your common sense and always take your dog out of the vehicle if you will be gone for more than a few minutes.
In the rare circumstance that you do leave your dog unattended, crack the windows and consider turning on a portable fan or putting up reflective windshield covers.
Research dog-friendly holiday parks and campgrounds
When planning your road trip, research and book dog-friendly holiday parks and campgrounds well in advance of your arrival. The last thing you want to do is turn up to your destination and not be able to find a vacancy at a pet-friendly park.
Also be sure to read the rules at each holiday park and campground, as each place enforces different regulations.
If you need a hand finding accommodation, check out our article about the best pet-friendly campgrounds in New Zealand. We've also rounded up the best dog-friendly campsites on the North Island and dog-friendly camping grounds on the South Island!
7. Take a break every 2 hours
Your dog needs just as many rest stops as you do on a long road trip - if not more!
Aim to stop and take a break every 2-hours so that your dog can go to the bathroom and stretch its legs. Try and find dog parks and pet-friendly cafes where your dog is free to run around without a leash.
Also, make your rest stops slightly longer than you normally would. Dogs sometimes need some extra time to find a spot and get comfortable before doing their business.
8. Make food and water available for your dog
Your dog needs to be able to access water at all times so that it stays hydrated. Whilst your pup will likely have a drink when you take a rest stop, they will also need access to water in the vehicle when travelling.
Consider investing in a travel bowl or dog water bottle that is specially designed for road trips. Many of them are collapsible and will not spill whilst driving. Leave it on the floor or seat next to your dog so that they can take a drink whenever they like.
Know the rules
In New Zealand, there are numerous laws that you must follow when travelling with a dog in your vehicle. These rules are designed to keep you and your furry friend safe.
Failing to provide your dog with proper care and attention is a criminal offence that can result in up to 3-months imprisonment. Always ensure your dog has enough food, water, shelter and exercise.
Ensure your dog isn’t showing signs of distress or heatstroke if left unattended in your vehicle (see above).
Keep your dog under control at all times. If your dog is found to be not under control, it can be seized by a dog control officer and potentially impounded.
Finally, always carry a leash and poop bags with you. Many councils around New Zealand require that you pick up after your dog and keep it on a leash when in public places.
10. Stop at the dog park during your road trip
Dogs are social animals and need some interaction with other dogs. Seek out dog parks whilst on your road trip so that your dog can spend some time with fellow felines. This way, your dog will burn off a heap of energy and should be well behaved on the next stint of your road trip.
Organise a smooth road trip with your dog on Camplify
Now that you know the basics of taking a road trip with a dog, it’s time to start planning your next adventure! And if you're the only human going on this adventure, don't forget to check out our advice for taking a road trip on your own.
Need to arrange campervan hire on the North Island? Or maybe you want to organise campervan hire on the South Island?
Camplify is a platform that allows travellers to quickly search through privately-owned rentals. Simply enter your pickup location and budget and within seconds, you can find the perfect motorhome, caravan or campervan for your road trip.
We’ve even got a ‘pet-friendly’ filter to help you find the right rental for your dog’s needs!
Why Camplify?
Camplify is the fastest-growing camper vehicle sharing community in New Zealand. We proudly include the following advantages with all Camplify rentals:
Comprehensive hire insurance
AA roadside assistance
24/7 customer support
Member verification
Plus, by hiring a vehicle through Camplify, you are directly supporting local families and companies who share their vehicle through our platform!
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