When you are away from home, it is easy to lapse from your usual diet and exercise plan, and for your pet to do the same. Even if you are not consciously watching your weight, traveling provides opportunities to try new foods, deviate from your usual sleeping schedule, and become more or less active than your usual habits. While variety may be the spice of life, it can also lead to an upset stomach or other health problems.
The first thing to keep in mind while traveling is to make certain that both you and your pet drink sufficient water. Although this may result in needing more frequent potty breaks on the road, it will keep both you and your pet well hydrated, and this will help to prevent other health problems while traveling. This is especially important during the summer, as it will help to prevent over-heating. We keep a plastic bottle filled with water in our cooler, so that Clancy always has cool (not cold) water to drink whenever we stop.
If your pet has a sensitive tummy, you can minimize stomach upset by bringing a container of water from home, or by giving your pet bottled water. You can also boil water to break up chemicals or kill any microorganisms that your pet's tummy is not accustomed to. Even clean tap water has small amounts of microorganisms that vary by location; while your pet's tummy may be accustomed to the microorganisms in your home water, the microorganisms in your destination can be different enough to upset your pet's stomach.
You will also want to keep your pet on his usual food while traveling to minimize stomach upset. A change of food can cause diarrhea or constipation at the best of times, but travel is a stressful activity, even when enjoyable, and stress combined with different food can increase the likelihood of stomach upset. It is best to travel with a container of your pet's usual food, packing enough for the duration of the trip; it's a good idea to bring extra food, in case your return is delayed, or in case of spills.
If you must change your pet's food, try to mix a small amount of the new food with the usual food, and allow your pet's tummy to become accustomed to the new food slowly. This will help to minimize stomach upset. If you are forced to change your pet's food abruptly, be sure to make more frequent potty breaks during the following days. When you change back to your pet's usual food, do that slowly as well, and be prepared for constipation or diarrhea.
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