Preparing for your first (or any!) road trip with your dog can be stressful. As you consider what you might need, suddenly it feels 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 Essentials To Pack For A Road Trip With Your Dog
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Whether we’re driving for a few hours or doing a cross country road trip, here are the essentials I pack for a road trip with dogs. These items help keep everything running smoothly on the open road.
1. No-splash water bowl
The no-splash water bowl is my most essential item for any road trip. It is a game-changer. In the van, I leave this on the floor and there’s never been an issue with spilled water. In the car, 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 any time they’re thirsty.
Shop via Amazon: Kurgo No Spill Water bowl
2. Collapsible food bowl
Keep your regular food dishes off your packing list. No sense bringing a big clunky bowl when you can flatten out a collapsible bowl and toss it in the dog food canister to save space.
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.
Shop via Amazon: Gamma2 Vittles Vault – Dog Food Storage Container
4. Water jug
Dogs drink a lot (as should we humans). I fill up and 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.
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 rolls of waste bags in my glove compartment at all times.
6. Car seat cover
When the dogs ride in the back seat of the car, this 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.
Shop via Amazon: 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.
Shop via Amazon: 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 the dog park or a national park.
For camping and the dogs, I’ve added 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), Kwik Stop for ripped and bleeding claws, rubber booties to keep paws sanitary in case of an injury, etc.
What Are The General Essentials I Pack For A Road Trip?
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 it to charge your phone in a pinch.
Roadside emergency kit
I keep the dog + human first aid kit with my hiking backpack and camping gear, but I also have a first aid and roadside emergency kit I always 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 + granola bars
Emergency hydration and sustenance. Doesn’t have to be fancy. Toss couple water bottles and Clif bars in a gallon-sized Ziploc bag and you’re good to go.
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.
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 favorites.
Multi-tool
I keep one in my hiking backpack and one in my car. It’s one of those items that is 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 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 really need them all? No!
Start with what you have. Use what is 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 tripping, start small. Go on a day trip to see how they do in the car (nothing dulls the fun faster that a car-sick dog). Do a one-night camping trip somewhere local so it’s easy to get home is things go awry.
Also, remember that if you forget a critical item, there is 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 other advice to you have for pet parents getting into road tripping? What do you bring on your road trips with your dog that I should add to this list?