There’s something…liberating about a good road trip. You’re driving down the highway, taking in all the scenery, feeling like the world really is your oyster, and having your dog – your literal ride or die – with you makes the whole experience that much better. If you’re traveling with kids, your dog will help keep them entertained so you don’t hear the “Are we there yet?” Once every five seconds. If this is one of those rare road trips where the kids and grandma are together and you can relive your road warrior days, a dog can provide just the right amount of companionship.
Of course, riding with your dog can also be a disaster if you’re not prepared. You want your puppy to be comfortable and happy because you love them, yes, but also because it’s easier for you to feel comfortable and happy when they’re content.
So before hitting the road, make sure you have all the essentials for your dog’s road trip. Not sure what to catch? Start here. We spoke with travel professionals and influencers and used our own experiences as road trip dog parents to bring you some must-haves to make your next adventure truly amazing.
A travel bag that holds all your dog’s treats
No road trip is complete without treats, and that goes for dogs too. This highly-rated dog travel bag includes two dog food totes, two collapsible silicone food and/or water bowls, and a waterproof placemat so you can set up your doggy meal station on the go. Roomy interior compartments hold toys, towels to wipe muddy paws, and most importantly, snacks. Versatile pockets make organizing a breeze, and the bag is even airline-compliant, in case you’re going straight from car to plane.
An easily accessible health record book
“Paw exercise”? Staaahp, this is so cute! But beyond that, it’s very practical. There is plenty of space on the inside pages to detail all of your dog’s vaccinations, which is very helpful.
“It’s a good idea to take your dog’s vaccination records and health certificate with you when traveling,” says Becky Hart of travel insurance company Seven Corners. Even pet-friendly hotels may ask to see proof of rabies vaccinations. . If you decide to drop your pet off at doggie daycare while you are out sightseeing one day, they will ask for your health records. If your pet becomes sick or injured while traveling, you will need a copy of his or her records when you visit your emergency veterinarian. It’s not fun to think about, but if the unexpected happens, you’ll be glad you have them.
A car seat to keep Fido safe
Friends, safety first! If you’ve heard a horror story about a car accident that resulted in the disappearance of the family dog, you’ve heard too many of them – and are probably now as completely paranoid as I am. This buckle-and-go car seat “bucket” provides your pup with a safe, restrained place to ride. The clutter keeps your pet out of sight and provides air circulation, and the whole thing is quick and easy to set up. Reviewers note that it’s probably best suited for medium-sized dogs, as getting larger dogs in can be a bit of a hassle.
a calming sip
Kradle Bliss Bars absolutely choke my dog, which is saying a lot since our big dogs are notoriously fickle—yes, even when it comes to treats. I’m not going to lie; made with real peanut butter and bacon, these look so delicious I might even want to try them. I especially like the Bliss Bars for road trips because they are individually packaged and evenly divided into three sections, making it easy to provide our dogs with what they need to get out of trouble.
The Ultimate Poop Management Kit
Traveling with a dog means multiple pit stops, and no one wants to be stuck in the middle of the grass at a gas station without a poop bag. The Schitty Kit is a game changer because all you have to do is toss this clever container on top of you when you drop off your car with your pup. Once they’re done, you can clean up using the included poop bag, then place the bag inside the Schitty kit’s silicone double-wall liner. You don’t have to make awkward hand-holding maneuvers, deal with the smell of burning nose, or interrupt your pup in the middle of an adventure to find the trash can. The Schitty kit gives you the assurance that you can throw away the poop bag on the way back to the car. Additionally, the kit features high-visibility trim to keep you safe in low-light situations, as well as extra storage in the form of a mesh front pocket for some wipes or hand sanitizer.
Rear seat extender to prevent floor tipping
The reality of road trips with your dog is that you still have to do it, you know, drive. To do this safely, you need to minimize distractions, and there’s nothing more distracting than your dog sliding out of the back seat and slamming to the floor while you’re driving down the interstate. (Or worse yet, you’re on a trail when it’s dark and an unexpected crash can send your mind straight into horror movie mode.) Reviewers rave about how sturdy this rear seat extender’s sturdy base is and how sturdy it is How to reliably keep their dogs in a safe shelter.
Sturdy, no-tension walking harness
We have many carriers for our 140 lb white shepherd and 90 lb husky and ordered one from this brand. Dog mom and show host Erin Scott also highly recommends it trust dog Podcast, Co-Host Alternative dog mom Podcaster and Founder Dog Health Magazine. “We always recommend the 2 Hounds Design No Pull Harness for dogs who may not have the best leash options,” she tells Horrible Mom. “The included strap offers versatility – you can use it as a single attachment or as a dual attachment for no-pull functionality, making it a great option for travel stops.”
Crash-tested car seat belts
Dr. Antje Joslin, a veterinarian at dog health company Dogtopia, stresses the importance of equipping dogs on road trips with a “fitting, lightweight, adjustable” harness that fits securely “so they don’t quit” “. This is especially important for security. “I recommend the Sleepypod harness and harness because they are crash-tested and certified by the Center for Pet Safety,” she told us, noting for the record that the Sleepypod Clickit has received the safety organization’s top five-star rating.
Sunscreen protects skin
If you didn’t know, here’s a fun fact: dogs need sunscreen too! Just like you and me, they can get sunburn and skin cancer. Some dogs are more susceptible to sun damage than others, but it’s best to err on the side of caution when it comes to skin care for your pup. This K-9 Care sunscreen is specially formulated for dogs to safely protect against UVA/UVB rays.
Something to cover up the stench of their farts (I told you)
Anyone who has ever been in a car with a dog understands the importance of (a) a quick roll-down reaction time and (b) a spray that neutralizes odors. Because when your dog gets a rip – which they often do – you don’t want to be stuck with that stench. Pet~Pourri from the makers of Pou-Pourri eliminates bad odors in just 60 seconds with just a few sprays.
Tips for keeping mud out of your car
It might seem a little funny, but you wouldn’t be laughing if your dog jumped right into your car after stepping in a pond and got mud all over your backseat. Reviewers swear that this MudBuster Cup does a great job of gently removing dirt and debris from your dog’s paws so that fun outdoor pit stops don’t turn into mandatory car repair trips.
Dog safety belt increases safety
Whether you buy a dog car seat or not, you can’t go wrong with a standalone car harness. This version has over 26,000 reviews and has an excellent reputation. It comes in a two-pack, is made of high-quality nylon fabric, is durable, and has an adjustable length so you can use it with your car or convert it to a traditional handheld leash. Convenient! Plus, it gives you peace of mind.
Portable water dispenser
If your road trips with your pup often include hikes or long walks, lugging around a bowl and enough water for both of you can be tiring. This clever little tool is the perfect portable solution. With the push of a button, the bottle’s slot fills with water for your thirsty pup. When your puppy is done, you don’t have to waste the remaining water – just press the button again to recollect the remaining water.
Identity visible collar
Before becoming the mom blogger behind Mom After Baby, Karissa Whitman worked in veterinary medicine as an ER/ICU technician at a busy emergency animal hospital, and her experience convinced her that, When traveling with a puppy, one thing she will never forget when she leaves the house is a collar with an ID. “If they get lost and someone else finds them, the ID tag is important,” she said. “That way, they’ll know how to contact you and you can be reunited with your puppy as soon as possible!”
Since we’ve folded metal ID tags on our dog’s collars before, we personally like these GoTags Embroidered Collars for travel. Of course, our dogs are microchipped as an additional form of identification (it’s very simple and cheap; everyone should do it).
paw protection
If your puppy’s paws are anything like mine, they can get very rough and scratchy after spending time exploring—whether that means trotting along a hot sidewalk or strolling down a dusty path. This plant-based super balm makes a huge difference! Someone gave us our first bucket of Paw Hero and it has now become one of our go-to gifts for our other canine friends. It’s made with seven natural ingredients to rejuvenate paws while protecting them from dryness, pavement, dirt and everyday wear and tear. And with zero artificial ingredients, parabens, chemicals, fragrances, dyes or preservatives, it’s about as safe as you can get.
This puppy sleeping bag
When you load your stuff into the car with all the extra items you brought for your pup, you don’t have a lot of room left. You certainly don’t want to take up too much valuable space (ie: leg room) by trying to squeeze your dog’s full-size bed from your home into your car. This “sleeping bag” provides a great solution. It’s lightweight and compact, but still provides the warmth and comfort your pup craves.
good chew toy
A bored dog can be a destructive dog, and you definitely don’t want your pup chewing on the back seat headrest when you’re trying to drive down a four-lane highway or an unfamiliar back road. But you also don’t want your dog to go to town with a squeaky toy that will drive you crazy. What’s the solution? Ultra durable and quiet Chew toys can distract your dog for long periods of time.
Or lick the pad
Another quiet way to keep your pup mentally stimulated on long trips is to use a licking mat, like this one from Pupford. Devin Stagg of the brand said: “I’m a dog dad to two Labrador retrievers who drove across the country with me twice (New York to Utah) on these long drives. , this is a game changer for any road trip!
Tips for keeping your home clean(ish)
This is exactly my cargo liner for an SUV and I love it. No complaints! We’ve used it for years to keep the carpet on the floor relatively free of dog hair and as a safety barrier for the dogs in the back and us in front. It feels high quality and is quite affordable, so I think this product will last for many years to come.
A “just in case” kit for emergencies
If you bring nothing else, be sure to keep a pet first aid kit in your car. While none of us like to think about our puppies being harmed, life happens. It could be a bee sting, it could be an embedded tick, or it could be a nasty gash from a piece of broken glass in the rest area parking lot – but whatever it is, you’ll want to be prepared to deal with it and will Place your dog comfortably.
So…where do you and your (well-equipped) awesome pooch go next?
