Our Top Summer Picks For Doggy Travel Gear
Although we've loaded you up with articles on dog-friendly hotels, dog safety when in the car, and a few other travel tips for this summer, we thought we'd get specific with some of our favorite, handy items that we wouldn't take a trip without. Especially if your vacations packed with exciting activities like hiking, swimming, and planning on bringing your dog with you to join in the fun. Just like you prepare your own items for your trip, there are particular travel products available for your pet to make it as fun, safe, and easy a trip as possible.
From dog seat belts to travel water bowls, these nine products can help you and pet have a great trip, no matter your destination or itinerary. Be sure to test out new products before you use them on your trip to ensure they function properly and suit you and your dog well.
Dog Seat Cover
Dog seat covers go a long way to keeping you, your pet, and your car a lot cleaner during your adventures. The last thing you wanted to be concerned about is having to clean out clumps of hair or dirt out of your car later on. Seat covers are easy to install quickly and remove just as easily. The cover can be cleaned simply with a damp cloth, paper towel, or a vacuum. We recommend using a brand that incorporates waterproof cotton or other fabric with an extra waterproof or wicking coating. There is a huge selection of seat covers to choose from, you can invest in one that fits precisely for your car or one that is adjustable for any sized vehicle.
Some options include extra measures to protect your pet such as headrest anchors and seat anchors to lock the cover into place so there is no sliding or shifting during your drive that could throw your pet off balance. The bottom of many seat covers are also non-slip and stick comfortably to different seat surfaces. You can also get these in a variety of colors that pair well with your car seats as well.
You can find very reasonably priced seat covers for your pet, ranging anywhere from 15 to 30 dollars that are high-quality and easy to use.
Dog Water Bottle
One of the most challenging parts of traveling with your pet is ensuring they are consistently receiving clean, unsanitary germ-free water that won't spill or make a mess. Although travel bowls come in handy, we also recommend using a dog water bottle of some kind. These are so helpful for when you're taking a break from the car, on a hike, or exploring the beach.
There are a few different varieties but we particularly like the kind that has a small, attachable bowl on top and is filled with water in the base. Simply give the bottle a squeeze and bowl will fill with water. You can hold it for your pet or set it on the ground. When you stop squeezing, the water drains back into the bottle base for later.
A lot of these dog water bottles are essentially leaking free and can hold a good amount of water, often they even fit into standard cup holders for easy access during travel. This cuts a lot of time out pulling over to grab some water for your pup. You can attach an adjustable hook and loop strap or carry it on your wrist, travel bag, or belt as well. We suggest finding one that is BPA free, and dishwasher safe. Have fun selecting this excellent pet travel accessory, they come in a variety of bright colors. You can find these ranging anywhere from $7 to $15 dollars.
Doggy Wipes
It's pretty easy for our big furry guys to get dirty while traveling or during activities but it could be challenging to find a good place for a bath. Investing in some pet cleansing wipes is a great way to clean, moisturizer, and condition your dog's skin and fur without having to pull out all the bathing stops.
There are a variety of brands but we always suggest finding a product that contains all-natural ingredients and that are 100% biodegradable to keep both your pet and the environment safe. You can find paraben-free, lanolin-free, and brands that don't have any synthetic fragrances, detergents, SLS, or SLES. They come in a variety of sizes from small to extra-large, making them effective for all breeds and sizes. These can be especially helpful for cleansing the nooks and crannies of your pet such as the paws and ears, without irritating them or their skin. You can grab a bundle of these for anywhere from $15 to $25 dollars.
Dog Car Barrier
If your dog is a little jumper and often goes back and forth between the front and back seat, you might want to consider installing a dog barrier. These prevent your pet from being able to jump into the front but still provides space and flexibility in the back seat. Having your dog jump up in the front can be hazardous for both you and them while you're concentrating on driving.
Many brands use scratch-and-tear resistant mesh fabric to design their barriers that allow air condition or heat to flow through. The barriers easily attach to the front seat headrest usually and either the seat belt mount or around the car seat frame itself. Dog barriers come in a standard size that perfect for small trucks, mid-sized sedans, and smaller SUVs but you may be able to find one that fits the exact dimension of your vehicle. This travel item can be a little more pricey and can range from $50 to $100 dollars.
Foldable Dog Crate
Bringing a crate along with you is a pretty big one as you never know when you might need to crate your dog in an emergency. We suggest finding one that is easy to assemble and disassemble for travel that doesn't require any tools. You want to your pet to feel secure and comfortable while ensuring that the crate is durable and has an appropriate slide-bolt latch. We suggest finding a product that includes a leak-proof plastic tray, carrying handle, and four roller feet to protect floors when moving it around.
You can choose the perfect size for your pet as they come in a variety, suited to multiple breeds. You can choose whether your crate has a single door or double doors. You can even do some training on your trip with the use of a handy foldable crate. Depending on the size you can pay $17 to $78 dollars for one of these bad boys.
Dog Paw Washer
Another option for keeping your pet clean and ready to go on your vacation this year is by investing in the dog paw washer. This can be a helpful extra measure to keeping you, your pet, and your car clean. If they got a little more messy on your hike or other activity and wipes won't do the trick, give them a quick wash in a dog paw washer.
A lot of brands use soft, thick silicone bristles inside an easy-to-grip BPA-free tumbler that works like a miniature agitation washer for his paws. Just fill the tumbler with water, insert your pets dirty paw, give the tumbler a few twists, and pull out a perfectly clean paw. You may want to give them a little toweling off but otherwise, they'll be good to go! You can repeat this as well until they're up to your standard of clean. Both the tumbler and bristles are usually dishwasher safe for easy cleaning and sanitizing.
Dog Harness
Whether you're adventuring through national forests, gently strolling down the beach, or traveling by car to an exciting new location. Investing in an adjustable harness is very helpful for controlling your pet when needed. We recommend finding a product that has crash-tested certified buckles or easy on and off buckles.
A lot of harnesses us a no-pull D ring and a halt ring on their chest to that encourages them to pull less and you can hook to either one. A 10-inch loop dog tether can be used to secure your dog to the car seat belt by hooking the carabiner to the loop and then to the harness. A lot of harnesses include a padded chest plate for extra comfort and protection that while remaining light and breathable. These come in numerous sizes and most are customizable at different points to make sure the dog is safe, secure, and comfortable. You can find brands that are machine-washable and line-dry.
Harnesses are great for walking and travel, especially for larger dogs. You can usually find a study harness from $21 to $45 dollars.
Dog Car Seat
Imagine your dog's bed, and then imagine it was having a sturdier more solid base with an additional buckle for safety and you have yourself a dog car seat! Perfect for smaller dogs or nervous travelers, dog car seats provide an additional layer of comfort for your pet while traveling.
You can find versions that have a foam form base with straps that keep your pet secure in the seat. You can find various materials that make up the interior, some brands use lamb's wool while others use cotton. We recommend finding a machine-washable one for ease. These can range in size and price but you can normally find them from $50 to $95 dollars.
Have you found some helpful travel gear for you and your pup? Feel free to share it with us! We love fellow pet-parent life and travel hacks!
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