If you’ve ever taken your pup on a road trip, you already know. It’s part adventure. It’s part comedy show. And, it’s part “oh no, where’s the leash?!” Dogs make the best travel companions, but only if you’re prepared and have the best dog gear for the trip. Forgetting the essentials can turn your scenic road trip into a “why is there peanut butter on the dashboard?” situation.
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Here’s a list of must-have dog gear to keep tails wagging, paws comfy, and your sanity intact.
Crash-Tested Harness or Travel Crate
Seat belts are for humans, but your pup deserves to be safe in the car too. This is vital, in case you hit the brakes hard. It’s also a big help if your dog spots a squirrel out the window (Cali has done this). A travel crate, tethered harness, or car carrier can keep your pup secure. Added bonus? It also prevents your pups from “helping” you drive. I can tell you Cali is a big-time backseat driver. She watches the road the whole time with more intensity than either me or my husband!
The Center for Pet Safety lists their CPS-certified crash-tested brands of crates, harnesses, and carriers here. Without crash-testing, the harness, carrier or crate may not keep your pup safe in the event of a car accident. If you just want them to stay out of trouble while driving, you can use a standard crate or dog carrier/seat.
If you don’t have space in your car for a crate, consider using a harness. It allow you to use either your regular seat belt or a dog tether with it. Alternatively, if you have a relatively small dog, you can use a car seat/carrier instead. This prevents them getting thrown from the car in the case of an accident. Obviously, drive safe so your risk of an accident is minimal, but you have no control over other drivers. This is why having a plan for you and your dogs is imperative.
Collapsible Bowl & Water
Water stops are inevitable, and no one wants to lug around a giant dog bowl. Enter the collapsible bowl. It should be lightweight, portable, and perfect for hydration breaks at a trailhead, rest area, or wherever you end up. Plus, they make you look like a pro instead of someone pouring water into a leftover fast-food cup.
Keeping hydrated makes everyone feel better, especially dogs. Cars get hot, especially on those sunny days in the Summer. A dog-friendly water bottle with an attached drinking bowl saves you from messy pours and backseat puddles. (Because nothing says “road trip vibes” like damp dog smell in a small space.)
Even if you have just a gallon of water, a collapsible bowl is easy to store almost anywhere in your car. It’s super easy to fill, let the dogs drink, rinse it out, collapse, store and go!
Travel Bed or Blanky
Your pup might think the backseat is their domain. Adding a comfy travel bed or soft car blanket keeps them cozy for the long drive. It also keeps your upholstery… less hairy and mud-free. It’s basically a win-win for everyone.
For us, we got a dog hammock for our car, since we have two dogs. Last year, we took a road trip over to Utah with both of our pups, and poor Willow got sick. Not once, but three times! I can’t tell you how relieved we were to have that hammock. It’s waterproof, and fully protected our leather seats! We also added this washable, cozy blanket to the hammock. This guarantees our dogs comfort on long drives.
BONUS TIP: If your dog gets anxious in the car, there are some good natural calming aids. And, if the anxiety leads to carsickness, try Bach Flower Rescue Remedy for Pets before you start driving. Willow’s car sickness can be managed with this, but she barely needs it anymore. We take the dogs everywhere we go, and do the repeated exposure (starting with short rides), she loves the car! We always make sure the car rides lead to something fun and positive!
Do I need a dog First Aid Kit?
This dog blog is a stickler for dog safety, so it’s a non-negotiable requirement for all road trips, if you care about your dog. I have a human first aid kit and a dog first aid kit in my car AT ALL TIMES. You never know when an accident is going to happen, or a bee sting, burn, etc. And, those are minor compared to a leg injury, cut, or bite.
I also keep one in my home, which has already come in handy several times. When my dogs play too hard, for example, someone usually gets a tooth to the cheek or leg. This results in antibiotic cream, bandaging, and sometimes the cone of shame to prevent them from licking.
There are a lot of dog first aid kits to choose from, and will depend on your needs. If going on a major hike, the risks are higher, so an outdoors first aid kit might be necessary.
If you just want something in your car for minor injuries, a more basic kit works! Make sure the kit you’re considering has the basics in it. One of the most important things to include in your dog first aid kit is a tick remover. This is crucial if you’re hiking or camping, especially during tick season.
Lots o’ Poop Bags & a Holder
Because nature calls—always at the most inconvenient rest stop. Bring more poop bags than you think you’ll need. Trust me, this is not the place to live dangerously.
It drives me nuts when I see poop laying in the grass in our neighborhood, dog park, or on the sidewalk (especially the sidewalk!). Your dog is your responsibility, so it’s your job to clean up after them. Period. If you’re a responsible pet owner, then you already know this.
If you’re going anywhere with the dog, even if it’s a short walk, always have some with you. We keep rolls in the car, just in case we forget to connect them to our leash.
Fumbling with a moving dog is not easy. Holding a leash and trying to pick up poo at the same time just complicates things. Do yourself a favor and make it a little easier on yourself. Get a poop bag holder for the leash or hang it on your belt loop. Whatever works for you!
Favorite Toys & Chews
Not all dogs are born road-trippers. Some pups love sticking their head out the window like they’re auditioning for a car commercial. Others, however, treat every bump in the road like a five-alarm emergency. If your pup gets anxious, a little prep can go a long way.
Calming chews or treats with ingredients like chamomile, L-theanine, or CBD can help take the edge off. Check with your vet for approval on CBD usage. These treats work without making your dog groggy. Pair with a favorite toy, safe chew, or stuffed Kong, and you’ve got a recipe for distraction and comfort.
Think of it like this: your dog needs their own version of road-trip entertainment. While you’ve got podcasts and snacks, they’ve got squeaky toys, dog chews or peanut-butter-filled Kongs. This helps reduce stress. It also prevents your seatbelts, cup holders, and possibly your armrest from becoming “stress snacks.”
Food & Your Stash
Obviously, you need to bring dog food. It is pretty easy if you feed your dog kibble or freeze-dried food. However, traveling with raw or frozen food could be more daunting. We happen to feed our dogs lightly cooked dog food that’s kept frozen. We travel with a cooler filled with ice or frozen packs. This keeps the food at a cool enough temperature for traveling, even if it’s not frozen solid.
As for the stash, grab different treats for your dog(s). Small, low-fat, training treats for rewards as needed, even in the car. Make sure they’re easily accessible to you, so you can treat as needed. Also consider bringing a few high-value snacks for when you reach your destination.
Being in a new environment might invite some anxiety and confusion for your pup. You want to reassure your dog. Make sure they know everything is okay, and treat them with a special reward for their efforts. Something as small as entering a new space, when they’re nervous, deserves a special treat. Use as needed to help them feel confident and secure.
Quick Clean-up Supplies
We had to learn this one the hard way. As I mentioned earlier, Willow has gotten sick in the car. At the time, I didn’t have any way to easily clean it up. We had to stop at a rest area and clean it up with napkins and water….not ideal. We also had an incident in one of the hotel rooms we stayed in. We were able to clean it up with what was available in the room. However, the cleanup could have been better if we had been prepared. Lesson learned.
It doesn’t take much. A couple of rags and car cleaner and/or all-purpose cleaner would do the trick. If you think your dog could have an accident, it’s wise to have a small bottle of enzyme cleaner. It’s a good thing to have on hand for spot cleaning.
A Bag for all Their Best Dog Gear
So, we’ve listed quite a few things in this list. Fortunately, there are many ways to pack it all up. We use and love our dog travel bag/backpack by Tito’s Closet. It includes collapsible bowls, food packs, and plenty of space for anything you need to pack for your pups. We’ve already used it a few times and we love it!
You can can also work with what you have and pack their stuff in a duffle bag or sling, but it will be a little harder to stay organized. I find that compartments make it so much easier to locate what you’re looking for. If you have multiple dogs, it might be a good idea to pack their things separately, in their own bags.
Bonus Tip: Make sure all of our dog’s identification, registrations, and vaccines are up to date before leaving. Maybe keep a copy of any records and microchip numbers on your phone or cloud for easy access. Some places may require this information prior to allowing dogs on the premises.
Also make sure your dogs are wearing their collars before leaving, and consider bringing a retractable leash or long lead for exploring. If your dog is an off-leash dog, don’t forget your tracker, as you’ll be in new territory!
Did we forget something on our list of the best dog gear for road trips? Do you have a suggestions that could be really helpful for a road trip with pets? Share in the comments.
