Should I feed my pet dog before ground transportation? | Updated: 2023

The answer to this question is “It depends”…

No need to worry if they can “hold it” (or hold their bladder). We’re going to stop frequently, every 3-5 hours to give your dog a bathroom break.

Where the variations come up is in the emotional response a dog may have, to the transportation. Strong emotions may come up for many reasons, such as:

• Being with a new person (the transporter).
• Being in a new environment.
• Unsure of new surroundings.
• Being away from their owner.

Dogs can have varying emotional responses. Some favorable and some are not so favorable, such as:

• Worry
• Stress
• Excitement
• Apprehension
• Anxiety
• Happiness
• Sadness

The key to deciding if you should feed your dog before their long-distance ground pet transportation is for you to know and understand your dog. We are going to always suggest to physically and mentally preparing your dog for transportation. Doing such things can help to balance your dog’s emotions before their ground transport and it may allow them to cope, much easier, with their new temporary circumstances and surroundings. To learn how to provide those type of preparations to your dog, click on the following links:

With all things considered, if you are going to feed your pet before their long distance ground transport, we will advise you to feed them with enough time, prior to their pick-up time, to allow them to use the bathroom. This is more important for the dogs that are going to experience a significant of stress from new surroundings. Feeding them with enough time before their pick-up time may help them from becoming stomach-sick.

This, three hours, should give their stomach enough time to settle before we pick your dog up.

If you have other questions about what food might be good to feed your dog before and during their ground transportation, you should contact your veterinarian and ask them for their recommendations.