Preparing for your first (or any!) road trip with your dog is exciting. As you consider what you might need, it can feel like you’re packing your whole house and there’s no way it will all fit in your car. So, what are the dog gear must-haves for your dog-friendly road trip?
Top 10 Must-Have Dog Road Trip Essentials for a Smooth Journey
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When you’re hitting the road with your dog, packing the right gear is essential for a stress-free and enjoyable trip. These dog road trip essentials will help you stay prepared and keep your pup comfortable throughout the journey.
1. No-Splash Water Bowl
A no-splash water bowl is a must-have for every road trip with your dog. It ensures your dog always has water without making a mess. Whether you’re driving cross-country or on a weekend getaway, this bowl keeps things tidy and convenient.
In the van, I leave this on the floor and there’s never been an issue with spilled water. I’ve perched it on the center console or in the back if I have the backseat folded down. I feel so much better knowing the hounds have access to water whenever they’re thirsty.
What I use: Kurgo No Spill Water Bowl
2. Collapsible Food Bowl
Save space without compromising on your dog’s meals. A collapsible food bowl can be easily packed into your dog’s food container or a small bag, making it the perfect travel companion. Keep your regular food dishes off your packing list.
What I use: Kurgo Collaps-A-Bowl
3. Food Canister
I love the Vittles Vault pet food storage containers. They’re durable and secure. Skip the risk of ripped bags or a basic storage box the dogs can break into (trust me, I’ve dealt with both). I have a full-sized one at home for the main food storage and a smaller one I use for road trips.
If you don’t fill the entire container, it’s also a great place to stash your bags of dog treats. Keeping all of the food items contained also makes your space less enticing for critters like mice.
What I use: Vittles Vault – Dog Food Storage Container
4. GPS Tracker
Including a dog GPS tracker in your rod trip essentials is a great idea for ensuring your dog’s safety, especially during stops in unfamiliar places. These small, lightweight devices allow you to track your pup’s location in real time, which is incredibly helpful if they get separated while exploring new areas. Herc and Cool Whip each had a GPD tracker and now Lu does as well. Lu currently wears a Tractive device, but there are a variety of quality options available depending on your needs.
What Are The Best GPS Dog Trackers For Your Pet?
5. Poop Bags
Make sure you bring more than one poop bag because your pup will need a potty break and you’re a responsible pet parent. A lot of dog-friendly places have waste bag dispensers nowadays, but they run out fast. I try to keep a couple of rolls of waste bags in my glove compartment at all times.
What I use: Earth Rated Waste Bags
6. Car Seat Cover
When the dogs ride in the back seat of the car, a seat hammock contains the dirt, hair, water, etc. I like the hammock version because it keeps them from falling in the footwells. It also has openings for seat belt clips for a safe car ride. This is in my car at all times but is easy to pack up as needed.
What I use: Kurgo Seat Hammock
Bonus Tip: Consider getting a car safety harness and dog seat belt that clips into the regular seat belts. Extra safety is always a good idea.
7. Travel Dog Bed
Comfort is key when going on a road trip with your dog. Look for a dog bed with a durable bottom that won’t rip and repels water. I love Kurgo’s Loft Beds. They have a tough, waterproof bottom, so I don’t hesitate to set them down anywhere during our pit stops and camp-outs.
What I use: Kurgo Waterproof Dog Bed
8. Long Leash
Give your furry friend a little freedom even if they need to be leashed. These are great for letting the dogs have some space while I set up camp and can’t keep a close eye on them.
Bonus: Carabiners. These are gold in my eyes. I bring at least four on each trip. Connect your dog leash to anything to keep your hands free to unpack, make lunch at a rest stop, etc. They’re also great for setting up a dog zip line for a bit more freedom during a camping trip.
9. Towel
At some point your dog is going to get wet or dirty, or both. I always keep an extra old towel handy to wipe muddy paws and dry off their fur as needed. Enough said.
10. Pet First Aid Kit
Even if you get just a basic “human” first aid kit, you should always have one in your car. Accidents can happen, whether you’re going to a dog park or a national park.
For camping and the dogs, I use this Hart Outdoor kit from REI plus a few extra pieces:
- Gloves for cleaning up trash someone else left at a campsite
- Sharpie/pen for filling out campsite registration forms
- Extra leash for catching a stray dog (or if I forget the regular leash)
- Styptic powder for ripped and bleeding claws
- Rubber booties to keep paws sanitary in case of an injury
- Antimicrobial spray for cuts/wounds
- Self-adhesive wrap (vet wrap)
General Road Trip Essentials for Dogs and Humans: What to Pack
I keep the following items in my car no matter what. They’re stored in an old backpack I keep behind the front seats or tucked away in the cargo area.
Portable Battery Jump Starter
After several times of hoping a kind stranger would help me jump-start my car, one of which was at a deserted trailhead, I knew I needed a better plan. I upgraded from basic jumper cables to a do-it-myself jump-start battery pack. Most of them also have ports for USB plugins so you can use them to charge your phone in a pinch.
Roadside Emergency Kit
I keep the dog and human first aid kit with my hiking backpack and camping gear, but I also have a first aid and roadside emergency kit I keep in the car. Consider including a small gas can, flares, etc. I even keep tie-down straps. They’re helpful if I need to strap things to the roof or a trailer, such as when I’m returning home from a trip with more than I started with.
Water and Granola Bars
Emergency hydration and sustenance. Doesn’t have to be fancy. Toss a couple of water bottles and Clif bars in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag and you’re good to go. I bring a 5-gallon collapsible water jug on all of our longer trips in the car. You never have to worry that your dog won’t like the local water or that you won’t have access to water.
Toilet Paper
Encountering just one trailhead outhouse without toilet paper was enough motivation for me to always have a backup roll stashed in the car. You never know when you’re going to have to go and what will be available. Bonus: Include a small shovel so you can dig a hole and bury your poop if you’re in the wilderness. Pack out your used TP to dispose of in a garbage can.
Paper Towels / Disinfecting Wipes
Spilled coffee, dog puke, etc. You want to be able to clean up those unexpected messes and minimize the germ spread.
Work Gloves
Good for carrying around firewood, picking up trash, and keeping your hands clean and protected from anything. You can get a basic pair from any Home Depot, Lowes, etc. These nitrile-dipped gloves are my favorite.
Multi-Tool
I keep a multi-tool in my hiking backpack and one in my van. It’s one of those items that’s helpful to have just about everywhere. The pliers are especially helpful for pulling cactus spines out of dog paws when you’re visiting the desert.
Extra Tips For A Stress-Free Road Trip With Your Dog
Would all of these items be great to have for your next road trip with your pups? Sure. Do you need them all? No!
Start with what you have. Use what’s convenient for you and your dog.
We went on a weekend trip recently and I stored the dog food in small Ziploc bags. There was no sense in bringing even the small dog food container for just 3-4 meals.
If your pup is new to road trips, start small. Go on a day trip to see how they do in the car (nothing dulls the fun faster than a car-sick dog). Do a one-night camping trip somewhere local so it’s easy to get home if things go awry.
Also, remember that if you forget a critical item, there’s usually a store nearby or on the way where you can stop to buy a new one. This isn’t the optimal solution, but it’s often better than cutting your trip short.
What’s Your Favorite Road Trip Gear for Dog-Friendly Travel?
What other advice do you have for pet parents getting into road trips? What do you bring on your road trips with your dog that I should add to this list?