Summer Travel with Your Frenchie: What to Pack for a Safe & Fun Trip

So, you are planning a summer trip and bringing your Frenchie along? That’s awesome. But if you have traveled with one before, you already know it’s not as easy as just grabbing their leash and heading out. 

French Bulldogs can be a little high-maintenance, especially during the heat, as they have to deal with their breathing and ensuring they are comfortable. 

You kind of have to pack like you are getting ready for a toddler. If you are not sure what all to bring, don’t stress. Here we share a clear, sorted list of things you’ll want to have with you to make the trip easier for both you and your pup. Have a look!

Preparing For A Trip: Vet Visits, The Journey & Safety Checks

You should make sure to meet your Frenchie’s health, comfort, and safety needs before you pack the French Bulldog’s travel bag.

1. Health & Vaccination Checklists

Pets can make travel difficult if they are sick, hurt, or otherwise unhealthy. So, make sure to pay a visit to your vet for an overall health check-up for your pup before you hit the road (or sky) for your travels. Also, your French Bulldog must be up to date on shots and be flea/tick free to eliminate any health issues during your vacation. 

Your dog may also have a veterinary endoscopy to evaluate its body condition more thoroughly.

For flights, most airlines also require a certificate of veterinary inspection (also known as a health certificate), and it must be issued within 10 days of travel. That means a visit to the vet is necessary. Additionally, discuss the dog’s feeding schedule, as it is generally recommended that dogs fly on an empty or partially full stomach.          

2. Researching Pet-Friendly Accommodations

Before booking a hotel or vacation rental, always check if they are pet-friendly. If you find pet-friendly places to book, also look for spaces that are friendly to your dog, such as those with outdoor areas, nearby walking paths, and no breed restrictions. 

3. Planning for Breaks and Exercise Stops

If you are driving, take potty breaks every 2-3 hours. Take light walks during breaks, and make sure your dog drinks water. Apps like BringFido can help you find dog-friendly hotels and vacation rentals. You can also plan your stays using the app’s support.

8 Packing Essentials for Your Frenchie’s Summer Adventure

The following is the packing list you should focus on to keep your pet safe during summer travel.  

1. Travel Crate or Carrier

A secure and well-ventilated travel crate should be your go-to partner during travel. Your Frenchie cannot feel the same energy as you all the time. Sometimes, they get tired, while other times they are super excited. You can always use a travel crate to carry your pup. 

This will:

• Make the dog feel safe
• Keep the dog calm and comfortable during travel
• Help reduce anxiety during stressful and bumpy car rides

2. Portable Water Bowl & Hydration Gear

Among the complex needs of a French Bulldog, continuous hydration is another important consideration. Because of their body anatomy, they easily get out of breath, and it also becomes hard to manage their breath and bring their body temperature down, which puts them at a serious risk of dehydration. Keep a spill-proof water bowl and a dog water bottle with you.

This will be helpful in:

• Hydrating the Frenchie while making no mess
• Preventing the risk of dehydration
• Creating no mess in the car
• On-the-go hydration

3. Cooling Gear: Vests, Mats, and Fans

Brachycephalic dogs are one such breed that is at substantially greater risk of temperature changes. Because of the shortness of their muzzles, they can’t cool down by panting. So, take this into account and pack up the equipment that can readily regulate the temperature, allowing things to breathe. Cooling vests, pads, and travel fans are all required travel gear.

They help in:

• Regulating body temperature
• Eradicating stress
• Prevents heatstroke
• Keeps the dog in a good mood

4. Sun Protection: Dog-Safe Sunscreen & Shades

Young Frenchies with short hair and light colors can easily get sunburned. During summer travel, apply sunscreen to sensitive areas of the face, such as the nose and ears, to protect against sunburn. Additionally, use sunglasses to protect the French Bulldog from the sun’s rays. 

This will help:

• Protecting the dog from harmful UV radiation during daytime walks or outings
• Protect from discomfort and peeling skin
• Ultimately, it protects from cancer and long-term skin damage

5. Food, Treats, and Bowls

When packing food for a trip, always consider packing a little extra. This is because your Frenchie is habituated to eating a particular type of food, and changing it mid-travel can cause stomach/digestive issues for the dog. Along with the food, also pack treats, collapsible food bowls, and airtight storage. However, keep in mind what types of foods and treats are best suited for dogs. Avoid fruits such as pomegranate, which can upset your dog’s stomach.

This will help in:  

• Keeping your Frenchie’s meals fresh, organized, and easily accessible
• Ensuring your pup stays hydrated and well-fed on the go
• Making travel smoother and more convenient for both you and your dog

6. Leash, Harness, and ID Tags

No pull harness for frenchie is essential gear that provides better control, reduces strain on the neck, and makes walks safer and more comfortable. While traveling, always put a harness and leash on your dog. For better tracking of your dog, also consider keeping a GPS tracker on so you can immediately locate it if it gets lost. 

The leash, harness, and ID tags can help with:

• Handling the Frenchie in a better way
• Finding the lost Frenchie through identification tags
• Distributing the weight equally on the chest so that breathing can be carried out smoothly

So, get your French Bulldog a safe and comfy harness to make your travel easy and fun. 

7. Toys and Comfort Items

Dogs experience travel anxiety because it is primarily a new and unknown experience for them. Bringing something that is dear to them can help ease their travel anxiety. It can be a favorite toy, blanket, or another familiar item. During long travels, you can also give them a treat or a chew toy. 

This will help to:

• Calm the Frenchie down
• Comfort them
• Make them feel at home 

8. Emergency Kit for Your Frenchie

It’s always a good idea to keep an emergency kit in your luggage when traveling. Especially when you have your Frenchie with you, the chances of you or your dog getting bruises or injuries are high. 

Keep a pet first aid kit, the dog’s medical records, and vaccination proof, along with the emergency contact numbers of your local veterinarian. If you face any emergency medical situation during the trip, you can contact them for help.

Keeping the emergency kit will help in:

• Immediately managing cuts or bruises before they become infected.
• Providing a sense of safety
• Managing any emergency

Traveling by Car vs. Air: What to Know

Traveling by car and airplane presents two different scenarios for the French Bulldog, as they are highly alert and experience everything in detail. They can also experience motion sickness due to anxiety. Therefore, your preparation should be tailored to the travel method. 

During car travel, the frequent bumps, direct sunlight from the window, and vibrations of the car can make your French Bulldog anxious and uncomfortable. In this case, the seatbelt harness and car window shades will help to calm them down. Frequent stops will allow the dog to take short walks and experience the open air, which is also beneficial.

In the case of traveling by air, the situation could be a bit different as your Frenchie may feel anxious due to a lack of outside exposure and restrictive seating arrangements. 

First of all, you need to have the right carrier to make the experience less stressful. If your dog remains anxious, you can use a tranquilizer or sedative to hwelp calm it, but first, consult your vet before using any medication for your frenchie.

Checklist Recap: Final Things to Double-Check Before You Leave

Before leaving the house, always double-check if you have packed all the necessary stuff. A quick checklist may sound like this:

• Vet visit completed
• Documents packed
• All gear checked

With all the things double-checked, you are now ready to go on an adventurous journey and make core life memories with your adorable Frenchie.