[winniec777]

We'll be travelling next week in the desert southwest in a car with our dog. We're bringing along her canned & dry food for the trip. I can't find any information on whether the food will be ok stored in the car when it's near or over 100 degrees outside. Should we be taking the food in at night where it's air conditioned? And keep it inside the car vs. the trunk with us where it's cooler? It's expensive food ($80 for a bag + $35 for a case of canned) so I don't want it to get rancid. Any advice from anyone in the southwest? Thanks!

[poodleholic]

When I drove from AZ to FL, I kept the food inside the car with AC, and brought it into the motel room at night because of the heat. It may not be necessary, but with temperatures of 100, I'd rather be safe than sorry.

[winniec777]

That's what I was thinking we'd do. Wish the food web sites were more specific about handling and storage. But I agree -- better safe than sorry. The last thing I need over a long trip is a sick dog! Thanks.

[briteday]

I would only take what you need (plus a smidge more just in case), keep it in zip lock bags, and take it into the hotel each night to keep it cool.

We just returned from a 4-week vacation to the south. I didn't have the dogs with us. But I was amazed at what heat and humidity can do to prescription drugs! I had to have two prescriptions refilled while on the trip because the ones I brought along could no longer be used when exposed to heat and humidity. They turned into mush or dust. You will be in a dry climate which is good. But the heat in the car overnight will be astronomical. Better to be safe than sorry.

And if you have the space I would take along a few gallons of your water from home for your dog. One of our dogs has problems when we take her places and she drinks tap water other than from our home.

[winniec777]

Thanks, Briteday -- good suggestions. Although we don't have a choice on the amount of food. It's a permanent cross-country move and we need enough to get us through a couple of weeks until we can get her into the vet (it's a prescription food). Speaking of prescriptions -- that's a good tip, too. I never would have thought of that. And we will bring water for her. She's only ever had California water so the switch to could upset her stomach (although that's not hard to do!).

[JeanninePC99]

Consider the fact that once the sun goes down, the temperature drops dramatically in the desert. If you'll be driving all day and just using hotels at night, the food might be fine in the car since it'll be cooler.

If you're really worried, you could always get one of those coolers on wheels and use half of it for dog stuff and half for human stuff (we travel with a cooler just for convenience...no need to constantly stop when someone wants a drink). You can just roll it into the hotel at night and roll it back out in the morning.