From the Kia Rio subcompact to the Kia Sedona minivan, there’s always room for your dog if you’d like to have your pet come along. Here at Destination Kia, you know how we feel about our puppies and babies. We want to be able to take them with us everywhere. Fortunately getting your vehicle and your pup ready for a road trip is a fairly simple process. First, you need to get your pup ready, then make the necessary adjustments to your vehicle. We’ll walk you through the whole process, so don’t worry about it.

Preparing Your Pup

If someone just threw you into the back of some foreign vehicle you’d never seen before, you’d verily likely freak out a bit, right? I mean, that’s basically the plot of every alien abduction movie. No way you could get me to be calm. Similarly, your pup needs time to get used to your car and all the sounds and smells that go along with it. It’s all very new to your pup, so give them a little time to adjust. While your car is not running, we recommend you let your pet get inside and walk around for a while. We also recommend shorter trips at first with dogs that aren’t used to car travel until they get used to it and show they can handle it.

No matter the size of your dog, you want to make sure they are comfortable. It works both ways, too: They’re happy and cozy, and you don’t have to worry about them fidgeting in the seat.

You can keep them comfortable by:

• Providing a blanket or comforter, along with pillows, for their seating area.

• Not feeding them right before you leave. Eating a large meal right before leaving might make them carsick, just like it does for humans.

• Providing a crate with a blanket and pillows.  Please note that before asking your furry buddy to get into the crate that you should make it look like a positive thing and allow your dog time to smell it and get used to it before departing.

• Bringing chew toys and other supplies.

• Prep to Dispose of Messes and Waste

Even if you have the BEST, most well-behaved dog ever, accidents happen – especially on longer trips where you can’t stop as often for potty breaks. Make sure you have paper towels and plastic baggies for the accidents that do happen. A clean car isn’t only a benefit for the people to ride in, it also provides a calming and pleasant space for your dog to luxuriate in while you’re en route to your Destination in your Kia.

So, to find the perfect Kia for your next puptastic adventure, stop by Destination Kia today!