Hey all, Just been making my list of things we'll need for the journey home with our little girl. I know most advice is to withhold food and water before the trip to make things less messy, but we have a four hour journey home. Will an 8week old pup be ok without water for this length of time, or should I plan to offer her some partway? Also, I'm planning on having her in the footwell with papers, towels etc but it sprang to mind that I could use a puppy pad, or would the smell of the pad be more likely to encourage her to go to the loo? Thanks
Re: Will pup need water in car? I'd just use towels on the floor. Maybe newspaper underneath. Also take spare towels. Given that it's a long way I'd also stop a couple of times on the trip for pee and drink breaks for the pup. Don't worry if she doesn't want to drink though I'm sure it'll all go well. Hope you get some sleep tonight
Re: Will pup need water in car? I had a 5+ hour journey with Chepi. We tired her out by allowing the litter to play and kept them awake for a couple of hours. Drink of water and toilet just before we left. She went in the car crate and slept most of the way. She woke briefly when I needed a stop and had about 6 pieces of kibble to take the edge of her hunger but I can't remember about water. I would think she DID have a drink. She then went back to sleep. I tried not to stimulate her much but just get on with the drive. Be aware that if in the rear of the car the temperature may be different from where you are. I had loads of towels but didn't need them (still take them though). Tire her out first is my tip. Hope it goes well, it will be what it will be, you will find that it just happens so don't imagine it will be hard; you are well prepared and it's only 4 hours - a short time in her life.
Re: Will pup need water in car? And the breeder said don't take her out of the car for toilet breaks; there's millions of germs where every other dog has been let out. Keep her in the car.
Re: Will pup need water in car? Good to hear from someone else who has had a long journey. We don't bring her home until next Sunday, but we'll be staying with the litter from Wednesday onwards. I just like to be prepared She will definitely be staying in the car and I'll make sure she's well tired out before leaving - another good tip. I guess I'll take my cues from her, if I can decipher them!
Re: Will pup need water in car? Bring some of their water home to gently switch over to your water over 3 days
Re: Will pup need water in car? Wow, I hadn't even considered that! Now you've mentioned it, there's a massive difference between the water where they are (very hard) and here (very soft), so it will be a big change for the pup. Hopefully it won't affect her tum too much, although my initial thought is that it would be worse if it were the other way around, if she wasn't used to all the minerals.
Re: Will pup need water in car? I have to say, bringing water home from the breeder is a new one on me...
Re: Will pup need water in car? When bringing a puppy home we have never fed or watered them because usually they are too in awe of what is happening to bother. A newspaper for them to have a wee or poo is needed though as fear can cause an evacuation that you don't want on the car seat. Betty slept all the way home never woke up until we got out of the car (I had her cuddled on my chest so she was warm and heard a heart beat). Elsie being a bit bigger was on my lap and awake and playing with my fingers all the way, but we had a shorter journey with her.
Re: Will pup need water in car? I didn't bring water home just food. Luckily it was only an hour and a half so didn't stop even for the minor vomit I'd be tempted to give a small amount of water halfway and just clean up accidents when you get home...... I'm no expert though
