10 Road Trip Essentials For Your Dog

Traveling with your dog can be a stressful experience, but it doesn’t have to be.

Deciding what to bring with you on your road trip with your dog can be a stressful task, but this post has been created to solve this problem!

Luckily, there are plenty of helpful items to ensure you and your pup have the best experience possible.

Our furry family members deserve to explore and have fun just as much as we do!

These tips and suggestions can help make the whole experience more enjoyable and stress-free.

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1. A leash (or two)

Dogs can get nervous or over-excited in new places, so I recommend leashing your pup every time you exit your vehicle.

Sometimes new places and emotions can cause dogs to act without thinking first.

It is best to be prepared!

Consider bringing a long leash as well. This makes it easier for activities like playing fetch and getting those zoomies out at stops along your route.

This way fido can run out his energy without worry of escaping from your sight.

Photo by Rachel Claire from Pexels

2. A favorite toy, treat or lick mat

Many dogs sleep in the car, but some get restless and bored.

Having something to preoccupy their mind can help loads!

Think about it: just like us humans, we need some activity to pass the time in the car. So may our furry friends!

Favorite toys will have smells from home on them which will comfort your dog.

Rewards like treats throughout the drive can also help minimize your dog’s anxiety.

Something like this lick mat will help as well if you have an anxious dog.

There are also treats made specifically for calming your pup during a car ride.

Be sure to check with your vet before adding anything new to your dog’s diet.

Just be careful when feeding your dog too many snacks in the car, which leads to my next tip!

3. LOTS of potty bags

When you think you’re bringing enough, think again!

Travel can cause tummy upset in your pooch due to more treats or unusual food. Always best to be prepared rather than run out at the worst time.

And you don’t want to be THAT person, do you?

Well, i hope not anyway.

Photo by PNW Production

4. Collapsible food and water bowls

Obviously, you will need something to keep food and water in. While the collapsible part isn’t necessary, it sure is nifty, especially if you and your dog are hikers!

Bowls like these are lightweight and pack easily.

Its also worth checking out this travel bowl that allows you to keep water in it during the car ride without spilling!

This is a great option to prevent your pet from getting dehydrated.

5. A blanket from home

Dogs love routine. Part of that routine is probably sleeping on the same blanket, pillow or bed every night.

Having that same item with them on the journey can bring comfort to your pet while in the car.

Not only will it have familiar smells, but will also bring a level of coziness on the long ride for your furry friend.

6. Harness with a seat belt

This is arguably the most important tip of them all.

While we may always hope for the best, we should prepare for the worst.

If a car accident happens with your pup in the vehicle, they must be equipped with the safety they need.

Depending on your pet’s needs or preferences, this can come in different methods, such as a belt and harness or a crash-tested kennel.

Not only will being secured keep them safe but it can also prevent them from escaping due to fear in the event of emergency.

Better safe than sorry!

Photo by Tim Gouw

7. Cleaning supplies

Accidents can happen anywhere, especially if you’re travelling with a puppy!

Not to mention, more treats than usual may be given during the journey which can lead to accidents or sickness.

When you are hours from home and your pooch makes a mess in the car, you will be happy you packed this!

8. Microchips or collars with IDs

Another crucial safety tip! I highly recommend microchipping your dog if you haven’t already.

This ensures if they get lost they are much more likely to be returned back to you.

Before your next trip, schedule an appointment with your vet to get your pooch chipped and ready.

If your dog is not chipped then you need to have collar tags with updated contact information on them.

Do not remove their collar during travel, even if you think your dog will be more comfortable.

In the event of an accident, that dog may escape the vehicle as soon as a door is opened and could get lost. This is definitely not something you want to happen, let alone without their ID, especially if they are badly injured.

9. Air tag

This tip can go hand in hand with the last.

While a chip can help identify your dog if they are found, an air tag or tracking device can help you locate your pooch’s location.

There are some cute holders for the tag as well that can match your dog’s collar or leash.

Getting an air tag for your dog’s collar or a GPS tracking device could save your dogs life!

This is especially important if you let your dog off-leash. In the event that your pup goes missing, you want to be able to track them down as fast as possible.

This situation happening at home is scary enough, but its even more terrifying in an unfamiliar location.

10. Travel kennel

This can vary from dog to dog, but I recommend bringing a kennel with you when traveling, especially if you stay in hotels and plan on leaving the dog alone for any period of time.

This can cause extreme anxiety for your dog and having a safe space to go (with a blanket or toy from home as a bonus) can help them feel better.

I know this is a crucial aspect for my dog. We try to avoid leaving him in the room alone, but in the times where we have to, putting him in his kennel makes him feel calmer, more at home, and prevents barking and howling from feeling anxious.

Photo by Ben Mack

These are just a few tips to help make travelling with your pup as breezy as possible.

If there is anything you bring not mentioned in this post, please write it in a comment below!

Safe Travels!