Everything You Need For A Road Trip With Dogs: Dog Travel Essentials
Road trips with pets don’t have to be stressful.
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Dog Road Trip Essentials
Traveling with your dog(s) can be anxiety-inducing, but it doesn’t have to be. I’ve taken many a road trip with my dog, Frenchie Madelyn Pew, and some of her foster siblings. I’ve also flown around the world with more than 50 rescue dogs as a flight volunteer. All this traveling with dogs has taught me a lot about how to keep them happy and calm.
My girl, Maddie, is not a fan of car rides, so it takes a little extra love and attention to keep her calm as we venture away from home on our pet friendly vacations. Whether you have an eager traveler or a reticent passenger, I have tips and products to make your trip a little easier.
If you’re looking to take a road trip with a dog, I’m here to let you know what you’ll need to keep your travel buddy comfy. First and foremost, make sure you’ve considered everything it takes to secure a dog-friendly holiday destination. Not all hotels, campsites, or Airbnbs accept dogs. You’ll also want to make sure your dog has a nice environment for walks once you get there.
Once you’re sure you have everything you need for a dog friendly vacation destination, let’s talk about how to get there. This post will cover everything your dog needs for long car rides as well as things you can do to make your trip pet friendly. Road trips with your furry friend don’t have to be stressful. With a little planning, the right gear, and the help of these dog travel tips your dog can be car-ready in no time.
Dog friendly vacations are all the rage.
Dog-Friendly Accommodations
Before hitting the road, make sure your pet will be accepted at your destination. With more people than ever looking for dog-friendly trips, hotels, Airbnbs and campgrounds are offering dog-friendly accommodations. Just make sure you check what their rules are before you go. A lot of dog-friendly hotels do NOT allow you to leave your pet unattended in the room. This can put a real damper on your trip if it includes segments where your dog will not be allowed. Nobody wants to see your cockapoo at great-aunt Ursala’s funeral.
Also, be sure to check out any fees associated with bringing your pet. If your dog is not a service animal, there can be some hefty fees associated with having your pet stay with you. There can also be breed and size limitations. Make sure you read all the fine print.
For pet-friendly hotels, I love Kimpton Hotels, The W, Virgin Hotels, and Loews.
Make sure you pack all your dog car travel essentials.
Packing List For Pet Travel
The following items are my road trip essentials for dogs. For each of these dog necessities, you’ll find my product recommendations to ensure you have the best possible road tripping experience. It’s also important to pack your dog’s veterinary records in case anything comes up while on the road. Place that in the glove box so you always have it handy should problems arise.
Dog Food & Food Container
The first thing you need for a dog friendly road trip is your dog’s usual food. Whether that’s fresh or freeze-dried, kibble, or canned. Whatever is part of their normal diet, stick with that. Do not change up their food for a road trip or you could risk severe gastric discomfort. Nobody wants to drive with a dog suffering from diarrhea, least of all the dog. Your epic road trip is not the time to go messing with your dog’s diet.
Also, you do not want to feed your dog while the car is in motion. This can cause car sickness. Always stop to take a break from driving if you want to offer your dog food and water.
If you feed your dog kibble, I recommend a handy kibble carrier like the one below.
2. Dog Treats
Just like with food, you should stick to your dog’s normal treats. One exception, if you’re traveling with an anxious dog, you may want to try some calming bites like the ones below. Though I recommend trying them at home first and taking a few small test drives with your dog before heading off on that big road trip. If you have a very anxious dog, you’ll want to make sure the treats work and don’t cause any tummy upset. Some dogs can be sensitive to new foods.
3. Water Bottle
Of course one of the must haves for traveling with a dog is water. I love this water bottle for dispensing a quick drink. Whenever we stop along the way, I make sure to dispense some water and give my best girl a nice drink. A good guide is giving your dog a drink every 2 hours. Again, you’ll want to avoid offering drinks while the car is in motion to prevent car sickness.
If you have a bigger dog or multiple dogs, you may prefer a larger water dispenser with attached bowl like the one below.
4. Carry All
My dog has her own travel bag as I’m obsessed with organization. Rather than buying individual bowls and food bags, this travel bag is a great all-in-one.
5. Dog Car Seat
Although it can be tempting to let your best friend sit shotgun, the safest way to transport a pet is in the back seat in either a harness, car seat, or carrier attached to your vehicle's seat belt. For my medium-sized French bulldog, I prefer a dog car seat like the one below. For larger dogs, you may prefer a crate or harness.
Make sure to pack all your dog road trip supplies.
6. Car Seat Cover
If you’re looking to protect your seats from slobber and shedding, a good car seat cover is a must. This 6-in-1 Car seat cover comes in 3 sizes and includes a scratchproof non-slip back seat protector, adjustable straps and a seat belt for your best friend.
7. Dog Seat Belt
I know a seat belt may sound unnecessary to some, but they help keep your pet safe and in some states, it’s actually against the law to drive without your pet being secured with a seat belt. It’s a simple and inexpensive item that can help save your pet’s life should there be an accident or sudden stop.
8. Dog First Aid Kit
Make sure you carry a first aid kit for your furry friend should something happen on the road. This is particularly useful if you’re going camping, visiting a national or state park, hiking trails, or just generally exploring the great outdoors. It will give you everything you need to stop bleeding, remove ticks, and sterilize wounds.
9. Dog Toys
The best dog toys for road trips are toys they already love. I recommend bringing a few of your pet’s favorite toys so they have a little piece of home. In addition to that you may want something that keeps them occupied, particularly if you have an anxious dog. I love these licking mats. Though buyers beware, you’ll definitely want to make sure you have that car seat cover if you’re bringing peanut butter into the picture.
10. Waste Bags
Wherever you go, make sure you pick up after your dog. I love the value of these sturdy Amazon Basics dog poop bags. They even come with a handy dispenser.
Sniffing for road trip tips.
11. Life Jacket
Maybe your trip doesn’t include bodies of water, but if it does, make sure you put safety first. Some breeds like French bulldogs, pugs, and Boston terriers are terrible swimmers. Yes, there are exceptions to this rule, but by and large, they do not mix well with water. This cute little life vest comes in a variety of colors and will keep your dogs safe on that big trip to the lake, river, or ocean.
12. Grooming Wipes
I love Burts Bees line of grooming products. Their multipurpose wipes are great for boogers, mud, poop, and whatever other icky substances your dog happens to get covered in.
13. Thunder Shirt For Nervous Travelers
Car travel with dogs who are anxious can be a real struggle. A lot of people swear by the Thunder shirt for car travel with dogs who exhibit anxiety. It’s worth trying on your dog because, unlike pills, there are no side effects.
I also recommend CBD treats or the calming treats I listed above. Benedryl can also work wonders for some dogs. I recommend trying these items before seeing your vet for prescription anxiety medications. You always want to try items with the least side effects first. And always try them before you actually head off on your big road trip.
14. Travel Bed
If you don’t let your dog sleep in your bed, or you’re taking your dog camping, you’ll want to pack a good travel bed. The Furhaven Outdoor travel dog bed is washable, foldable, and squishy soft.
15. Portable Paw Cleaner
If you’re venturing into the great outdoors don’t underestimate the importance of a good paw cleaner. Keep the insides of your car clean and your pup’s paws happy. A paw cleaner is also an essential item for dogs who have allergies.
Your pet friendly road trip awaits.
16. Tie Out Cable For Camping
This tie-out cable is an essential item if you’re going camping with your furry friend. Keep them close to you and safe with this portable reflective trolley system.
17. A Heavy Duty Dog Leash
Dog safety begins with a good leash. Leashes help keep your dog under your control, safe from traffic, and safe from other dogs and animals who may not be so friendly.
18. LED Dog Collar
I love this LED dog collar for camping trips and other nighttime outdoor excursions. It helps you keep an eye on your pet and is easily rechargeable with a USB plug.
19. Portable Kennel
If you opt for a carrier to keep your dog safe in the car, make sure the carrier is well-ventilated and large enough for your pet to sit, stand, lie down, and turn around in. This is safer for you as it prevents distractions, and it protects your pet and the other passengers if you're involved in an accident while on the road.
20. Dog ID Tags
Make sure your dog has an ID tag before you set out on your trip. Sometimes pets get scared in unfamiliar settings and you don’t want to risk losing your furry friend. Make sure they have all your contact info on their tag so you can easily be reached. I like these scannable QR code tags as they hold a ton of information.
The best road trips with dogs involve careful planning.
Tips For Dog Friendly Road Trips
Take Frequent Breaks
My top tip for a dog-friendly road trip is to take frequent breaks, particularly if you’re taking a puppy on a road trip. AAA says humans should stop every two hours to take a break and stretch their legs, and the same guidelines should apply to animals. Pulling over for a break gives your pet a chance to release pent-up energy and readies everyone for the rest of the journey. Plan to stop at a place where your pet can run around a bit, answer the call of nature, and have a drink.
You can also research dog parks along your route. Any place to give them some good exercise will help you have a better trip.
Pro tip: It's best not to let your dog eat mid-trip and never in a moving vehicle, as this could cause carsickness. Instead, feed your pet a light meal three to four hours before you leave.
Happy pups whose parents followed a dog friendly road trip planner.
2. Plan For Road Trips With Dogs Who Are Anxious
If your dog is anxious in the car you’ll have to work a little harder to keep your dog comfortable. I’ve included a few products on my list above that help with anxious pets. But it’s important to work on getting your pet calm well before your big trip. Don’t rely on Benedryl to magically work if you’ve never tried it before. The same goes for calming treats, vests, and prescription medications. Sadly, there is no one size fits all answer when it comes to pet anxiety and what to give a dog for a long road trip.
Vets recommend trying Benedryl to help car anxiety. A good guide is one milligram per pound. Benadryl can be administered up to 2 times a day.
If Benadryl and calming treats don’t work, you can try a Thunder shirt. Many dogs find the weighted vest very calming. Failing those measures, you could see your vet for prescription medication. Though again, it’s recommended you try any medication prior to your trip to see if there are any side effects or issues with effectiveness. You do not want to be surprised a few hours from home and stuck with a sick or anxious pet.
It’s also recommended you give your pet a toy as it can help distract them from car-related anxiety.
Pet friendly vacations are the best vacations.
3. Make a Duplicate Dog Tag
Before you head off on your trip, place a second tag on your dog's collar, listing your name, phone number, and the address where you'll be staying. If the unthinkable happens and you become separated from your dog en route, this increases the chance that you can be reached.
When you arrive at your destination, put your pet on a leash before opening the car door. Pets often become a bit disoriented during travel, and even the most obedient animals are prone to bolting because they're out of sorts.
4. Consider Flying
Flying with your dog can be a good option, particularly if you have a small dog. I regularly fly with my French bulldog, Maddie. Most airlines permit dogs up to 25 lbs who can comfortably fit in a carrier to fly at your feet. I do not recommend putting your pet in cargo unless absolutely necessary. Brachycephalic breeds like Frenchies and pugs are banned from flying in cargo due to health risks.
I just mention this option for those of you who may be worried about driving long distances with your dog.
5. Never Leave Your Dog Unattended In The Car
Aside from the obvious risk of having your dog overheat and possibly die in a hot car, leaving your dog unattended puts them at risk of being stolen. I can’t tell you how many horror stories I’ve read about dogs snatched from cars while owners quickly ran inside for something.
Having a French bulldog I’m particularly afraid of this. I’ve taken my dog into public restrooms, convenience stores, and other locations because I was too afraid of her being stolen from the car. The worst that can happen is someone can tell you dogs aren’t permitted inside. A much better fate than having your dog snatched from your car.
Take your buddy on a fantastic dog trip.
Dog Friendly Travel Made Easy
I hope you’ve found these tips for a road trip with dogs helpful. If you have any other dog travel essentials I may have forgotten, I’d love to hear from you in the comments below. I’d also love to see pictures of your dog.
