Holiday visits and cottage trips often mean winter driving with pets. Plan for cold, delays and wet paws.
Before the trip
- Secure your pet with a crash tested harness or a secured crate.
- Pack food, water, bowls, medications, leash, waste bags and a towel.
- Add a blanket for your pet to your car’s winter emergency kit.
- A seat cover keeps snow, salt and mud off the seats.
On the road
- Never leave a pet alone in a cold car. Cars can get very cold quickly in winter, just as they get hot in summer.
- Plan stops for bathroom breaks somewhere safe from traffic.
- Wipe paws after each stop to remove salt.
Crossing the US and Canada border
If you drive between the US and Canada with a pet, check current requirements on official government websites for both countries before you go, including the USDA and CDC in the US and the CFIA in Canada. Rules can change.
When you arrive
Dry your pet off and give them a quiet spot to settle in.
