How to Travel With Pets

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich., – Going on a vacation soon with your furry friend? If you're planning on taking a long drive to get you and your pet to your destination, traveling with them involves more than just monitoring them while you drive. Knowing how to travel with pets will make the road trip process easier for everyone in the vehicle, yourself included. Follow these tips to make sure your pet obtains an enjoyable experience in your vehicle, regardless of the drive time!

Before the Trip

Before you leave, you'll want to make sure your pet can get used to longer drives. Take them on short drives a few weeks prior, making each drive slightly longer than the last. This way, they'll be able to get used to spending increased time in the vehicle, making them feel less anxious for longer journeys. You can ensure the safety and security of your pets by purchasing a large and comfortable carrier for them. It should be large enough so that they can sit, stand, lie down, and turn around in. Also having them get used to it before you leave on your trip is a good idea.

What to Pack

Depending on where you travel, you may or may not need your pet's rabies vaccination records. Some states require proof of this at interstate crossings. While this isn't usually an issue, it's better to be safe than sorry. You should also make sure you pack these items to ensure your pet enjoys a safe and fun ride:

• Food and water with bowls
• Leash
• Waste scoop
• Plastic bags
• Any medication needed
• Bed for sleeping
• Collar w/tag imprinted with your address/phone number
• Favorite toy/pillow
• Paper towels/stain and odor remover (just in case!)

During the Trip

While your pets are bound to enjoy the fun ride, it's up to you as the owner to remain attentive and make sure that your pet has everything it may need for an enjoyable experience. About three to four hours before you leave, you should feed your pet a light meal. From there, you should feed them every time you stop to use the bathroom or if they have to use the bathroom. Don't feed them in a moving vehicle! Other tips that can help make or break your drive may include:

• Bring bottled or tap water so your pet doesn't get an upset stomach with unfamiliar water.
• Make sure your pet's crate is well secured and ventilated to maximize safety and comfortability.
• Don't leave your animal alone in your vehicle on a hot or cold day! Your vehicle works like a furnace or freezer and can severely harm a dog if left unchecked, even with the windows down.
• If you drive a pickup, do not let your pet sit in the truck bed for extended periods of time. They can fall out or potentially be harmed by road debris.
• Stop frequently (at least 2-3 hours in between drives) so you and your pet can stretch and use the bathroom if needed.
• Make sure to call ahead to your hotel or wherever you're staying to ensure that your room is pet friendly.

After the Trip

Now that you're home, it's time to relax and get everything taken out of your vehicle. Once you're unpacked, you'll want to get your vehicle back up to speed as soon as possible. If your pet sheds frequently and your backseat is now coated in hair, use the "rubber glove" trick to get as much fur as you can. Moisten a rubber glove and use it to collect loose pet hair for easy removal, then finish off the job with your vacuum cleaner. A great way to manage fur is to invest in a seat cover or keep your pets in your crate. If you sprinkle baking soda on your floor and cloth seats and vacuum it after leaving it overnight, your vehicle will smell good as new!

Hitting the road with your pet is one of the most enjoyable experiences you and your furry friend can share together. Making sure that you both are safe is the number one way to enjoy your ride without any hassle. Now that you know how to travel with pets, you can get started on your vacation with ease! Use our organizational car hacks to tidy up your vehicle for any journey you undertake, and use our road trip tips to make the most of your drive, no matter how long or short. Before you leave, make sure you have your vehicle inspected to make sure you'll be able to drive without any difficulties or inconveniences.

At Serra of Traverse City, we’re happy to offer you the best dealership experience in the Cherry Capital area. You can find the latest selection of Audi, Nissan, Toyota, VW, and Volvo vehicles at our North Campus location at 1301 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI. If you’re looking for the newest Cadillac and Subaru inventory, or our Collision Center, our South Campus is located at 1747 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686. Our used vehicles and certified pre-owned headquarters is just across the street.

Website: http://www.serratraversecity.com

Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Serra Cadillac Subaru Google+, Serra Nissan Volvo Google+, Serra Audi Toyota VW Google+, Serra Toyota Google+, Collision Center Google+, and YouTube

How to Make the Most Out of Your Road Trip

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich.,–– Planning on traveling with family or friends soon? Being prepared is the best way to eliminate stress and make your trip hassle-free! Make sure you know how to make the most out of your road trip this summer by following some handy tips we've put together for before, during, and after your getaway. Whether you're traveling around Michigan or heading out of state, these helpful tips will keep your passengers entertained and make long drives not seem so bad.

Before the Road Trip

• Calculate Gas Costs: Using a website like AAA's Gas Calculator, will help you estimate how much a round-trip journey to your destination will cost and how to plan pit stops accordingly. This will also serve as an aid in setting your budget for your road trip, saving you both time and money!
• Purchase a Car Charger: This may seem like a no-brainer, and you may already own one, but purchasing a car charger can keep you prepared in the event of an emergency. You can also use it to recharge any forms of entertainment that run low on battery for your passengers, too.
• Create a Car Caddy: To make things easier on yourself, create a car caddy before you leave! This will keep all of your things organized and easily accessible at any time.
• Have Your Vehicle Inspected: Traveling long distances can take a toll on your vehicle, especially if you haven't had your oil changed or tires rotated recently. Schedule an appointment with us to have your vehicle looked at before you hit the road to make sure it's good to go!

During the Road Trip

• Make a Great Playlist: Have everyone pick 5-10 songs they'd like to hear on the drive and build a playlist full of everyone's musical tastes. You can even listen to it after the road trip to remember all the fun you had!
• Keep an Open Agenda: Write down a list of destinations you'd like to visit on your road trip, but don't be afraid to stray away from your initial plan! The best road trips are the ones that never go according to plan. Plus, taking a detour can lead to unexpected fun!
• Create a List of Games: Get a pen and paper and jot down some road trip games for everyone to enjoy! You could play hangman, roadside bingo, 20 questions, or other games to keep everyone occupied and entertained.
• Pack a Lot of Snacks: To minimize pit stops, save some extra cash, and reduce rumbling stomachs, load your vehicle up with plenty of snacks to keep your passengers full and happy!

After the Road Trip

• Create a Photo Album: Don't forget to take plenty of pictures (after all, a picture is worth a thousand words). Once you get back, develop all the photos you took and put them in a nice photo album for everyone to enjoy!
• Keep a Journal: Document every day of the journey so that you can relive every moment when you get back. You can even include postcards of destinations you stopped at, photos, and more for a personal and creative touch.
• Make Different Stops: While you're driving home, instead of stopping at the same locations you did when you made your journey to your destination, take a different route or stop off somewhere else!
• Unpack As Soon As Possible: The longer you leave your luggage unpacked, the more likely you are to procrastinate. Getting it done right away will make things easier and save you the trouble of dealing with it all later.

Turn your road trip from painful to painless with this handy guide! You'll be able to enjoy more time on vacation, save some extra money, and keep distractions to a minimum while you drive. Knowing how to make the most out of your road trip will make driving less of a chore and more of a fun experience for both you and your passengers. Many people believe that it's the journey and not the destination that makes road trips so worthwhile. Now that you're prepared, you can enjoy the journey just as much as anyone else! Make sure you get your vehicle inspected before you leave to make sure it's good to go for your trip, no matter how far away it may be. Don't forget to check out our summer car care tips as well to make sure your car is ready to hit the road!

At Serra of Traverse City, we’re happy to offer you the best dealership experience in the Cherry Capital area. You can find the latest selection of Audi, Nissan, Toyota, VW, and Volvo vehicles at our North Campus location at 1301 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI. If you’re looking for the newest Cadillac and Subaru inventory, or our Collision Center, our South Campus is located at 1747 S Garfield Ave, Traverse City, MI 49686. Our used vehicles and certified pre-owned headquarters is just across the street.

Website: http://www.serratraversecity.comFollow us on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Serra Cadillac Subaru Google+, Serra Nissan Volvo Google+, Serra Audi Toyota VW Google+, Serra Toyota Google+, Collision Center Google+, and YouTube