Planning a road trip with your canine companion? Whether you’re driving cross-country or just a few hours away to your neighboring state, here is a quick checklist of what to pack for your pooch.
Doggy Water Bottle
This one seems pretty obvious, but avoid doggy dehydration by packing a few water bottles. Use traditional bottles that you buy from the store to fill a dog-friendly bottle, like THIS. Sure, on the surface, this looks like a regular water bottle. But it features a food-grade silicone flap that you simply flip up and voila — you have yourself a water bowl for your pooch!
Food, Treats, and Proper Storage Equipment
Along with water bottles, you’ll need to bring along some dog food and treats to use as rewards. If you feed kibble then it’s pretty easy to pour into a Tupperware and go about your day. But, if you’re like me and feed fresh food then you’ll need to keep the food chilled. So, grab a small cooler or lunch box, fill it with an ice pack, and pop the food inside!
Car Hammock
A car hammock is an absolute must! This protective cover serves as a barrier between your furry family member and your car’s interior, ensuring a safe and comfortable journey for both. The primary function of car hammocks is to shield seats from scratches, dirt, debris, and fur. Ultimately, it prevents damage to the car’s upholstery. There are plenty of options to choose from. THIS one on Amazon has over 6,000 reviews and averages 4.7 out of 5 stars!
Paper Towels
Just because you’ve protected your back seat with a car hammock doesn’t mean a mess can’t happen. You may not use them, but a roll of paper towels will come in handy in case your dog gets sick or runs in some dirt/mud when out for a potty break.
Safety Restraint
While car restraints are a great safety measure for all traveling canines, some states require them! My friends over at Orvis put together THIS state-by-state breakdown of the current restraint laws. Before you fire up your engine and begin your trip, check out the laws in whatever states you’ll be driving through. When it comes to restraints, you’ve got a few different options:
- Just like toddlers ride in a car seat, your precious pooch can benefit from one too. There are various booster seats on the market for small to medium-sized dogs. Along with keeping your pup safe, they allow your dog to sit up high and see out the window as they ride.
- There are many different types of harness restraining devices. Some of the most popular harnesses attach to a car’s seatbelt, like THIS top-rated option from Kurgo. NOTE: Only use these restraining devices with an approved harness and never hook a restraint to a collar. If the dog is tethered to a collar and the car is in an accident, there is always a risk your dog will get thrown around and hang himself.
- If you have an SUV and your dog rides in a cargo area, you may want to use a dog crate that’s appropriate for travel. If your dog is in a crate make sure it’s secured to something so that in case of an accident the crate won’t go flying.
Extra Leash
I’ll never forget losing my Chihuahua’s leash during a road trip to New Mexico (I swear the leash grew legs and ran away). As my little Diego whimpered to go outside and relieve himself, I had no choice but to pause the destination on my GPS and reroute to a local pet store. Today, I always keep a spare leash in my car’s center console – just in case!
Waste Bags
Speaking of potty breaks, not every rest stop is going to have a doggy relief area with poop bags. So make sure to pack your own and always pick up after your furry family member.
Your Dog’s Favorite Blanket
When away from their usual surroundings, it’s nice for your dog to have the comforting smell of home. Bring along one of your pup’s favorite blankets to snuggle with during the ride.
A Variety of Toys
Not only are toys a great reminder of home to comfort your pup, but they’re also a wonderful distraction. Along with some plush toys for the car ride, pack some puppy puzzles for your dog to play with at the hotel or Airbnb. In search of some great dog puzzles? Here are a few of my favorites!
Safety and Emergency Gear
- Pet First Aid Kit: This is another thing you hopefully won’t need, but should always have handy in case of an emergency. Check out this post to see some dog first-aid essentials.
- Flashlight: Useful during night stops or emergencies.
- Reflective Gear: Make your dog’s visible during evening walks or in case of roadside emergencies.
Flea Comb and Tick Remover
I keep these items in my pet first-aid kit, but I also thought they deserved a spot of their own! There’s always a risk your pup will pick up an unwanted visitor when you’re out. This happened to me once on a road trip from North Carolina to Texas — it was a nightmare! Along with a flea comb, there is a special tick remover tool that you can order right from Amazon. Hopefully you’ll never have to use it, but it’s always smart to have.
Health and Identification Records
- Vaccination Records: Especially if crossing state or country borders.
- Medications: If your dog is on any medication, bring enough for the trip.
- ID Tags: Ensure your dog’s collar has updated ID tags with your contact information. The following information should be on your fur kid’s ID: His/her name, your name, the city where you currently live, and your contact info (like a phone number).
- A Current Photo of Your Dog: In case they dart off and you need to make Lost Dog signs.
- Microchip Information: Carry the details of your dog’s microchip, if applicable.
