As some of you may or may not know, my other love is ‘vehicle dependent expedition travel’ otherwise known as overlanding or possibly an off-highway road tripping. This type of travel allows you to experience things the average person will never imagine even exist, never mind see.

However, when you have two big dogs to take along for the ride, it does offer up a number of problems. After spending two weeks in Colorado avoiding ‘civilization’ as much as possible, I came up with a shopping list of items for the next trip that over the next month, I am going to share for everyone else who likes to take ‘road trips’, either on or off-highway, with their dog as their co-pilot!

The most difficult part of traveling with your dog is keeping their digest system functioning normally. Doggy diarrhea is a major concern when on the road so ensuring good quality water and a balanced diet are vital steps when organizing your trip.

I always factor at least 1 gallon of water per day for each dog while traveling. If traveling for only a few days to a week, I try to bring enough water from home. If I cannot bring enough water from home, I run all their drinking water through a filtration system. As a backpacker and kayaker, I swear by MSRs Hyperflow Microfilter as a fast and lightweight way to ensure drinking water is free of bacteria, protozoa, and microorganisms like giardia, salmonella, and cryptosporidia. At 2.75 liters per minute, this amazing compact filter is quick to use, even for the thirstiest of dogs! Frequently providing your dog with ample, great tasting water cuts down on their desire to go in search of their own sources that may contain contaminants – take my word for it, you never want to face a case of Beaver Fever on the road!

The other factor in digestive health is food. Road tripping can be a hassle when it comes to packing enough high-quality dog food for an extended period, especially if you feed your dog a homemade diet. To ensure the quality of the diet without taking up as much space in the cooler, why not try an organic, raw, dehydrated food that does not need to be refrigerated? A 4-pound bag makes 17 pounds of rehydrated food so it is light and compact while the resealable bag allows for airtight storage. It is easy to reconstitute and guarantees a balanced diet. There are a wide variety of types to choose from including Preference that includes all the ingredients necessary for a balanced diet except the protein – that you add yourself. No longer do you need to carry a ton of fresh vegetables and bulky grains that take a long time to cook, wasting time and camp fuel. And don’t think that dehydrated foods are only for road trips – they can be used at home as well.

Like all dietary changes, always start a few weeks ahead of time and gradually switch your dog over to the new diet as any abrupt switch can cause diarrhea, abdominal cramps and discomfort and inappetance. My rule of thumb is the more drastic the change (for example, grocery store quality kibble to an organic, raw dehydrated diet), the longer the switch should take to guarantee your pet’s digestive comfort.

Check in next week for traveling dog beds and how to ensure your pet gets a good night’s sleep while on the road!