This article is a part of our On The Road series. I adopted my dog, Nora, in 2016 from One Tail at a Time in Chicago. She was a rescue from Alabama, a state with a high euthanasia rate. As we come up on our five-year anniversary this summer, we’re celebrating with the ultimutt road trip. Follow along with our yappy trails as I take Nora to see the ocean.
Willie Nelson said it best when he sang, “On the road again…” While pupper is grateful for all the exploring around your neighborhood, the world is big and there’s more to see. As the temperatures warm up, pack your bags and get ready for wags. Just check out these 7 must-have dog travel supplies first to ensure that your vacation is relaxing for you and your dog.
1. Tall Tails Blanket
Spot is excited for all the new sights but a little bit of home isn’t a bad thing. A cozy blanket that he’s familiar with is a reminder of his comfy bed, porcelain water bowl (OK, the toilet), and treat cabinet. While carrying the smells of home, it provides a comfy spot for rest stop picnics, warmth for stargazing, or a bed in a pinch.
Get it on Amazon for $24.95.
2. Hammock Car Seat Cover
Your dog may have called shotgun, but it’s in her best interest to sit in the back for this long drive. For the dog that has a hard time accepting no for an answer, a hammock car seat cover will provide a barrier to keep her from hopping up front. As an added perk, it’ll help keep your seats protected from mud, drool, and french fry grease.
Get it on Amazon starting at $34.
3. Dog Seat Belt
Somepuppy is a backseat driver, and if he sees you take one more wrong turn, he’s gonna come up there and take the wheel himself. Unfortunately, his lack of thumbs makes him a terrible second driver so let’s keep him in the backseat with a dog seatbelt. Clip this heavy duty carabiner to your dog’s harness to reduce your chances of distracted driving and keep your pupper safe.
Get it on Amazon for $14.99.
4. Medical Records
We think happy thoughts so we can manifest good road trip vibes, but it’s still important to prep for the what-ifs. In case something happens on the road, you’ll want a hard copy of your dog’s health history and vaccine records (especially if you’re crossing any borders). For the pet who has meds, a copy of their prescription will be helpful if you need more pills on the road.
5. First Aid Kit
Buy a kit or make your own, but either way, you should have a first aid kit for your dog. It’d be a bummer if a boo boo derailed your itinerary. In a pinch, you could probably steal some gauze or alcohol wipes for yourself too.
Get it on Amazon for $24.99.
6. Photo of Your Dog
Your pet probably has their own Instagram, so we’re sure you have this one covered. In case the pupper decides to take a vacation from your vacation, having something to share while you search is absolutely crucial. If you’re a nervous Newfie, have a few copies of a pre-made Lost Dog flyer so you can post them at rest stops near where they went missing (dog forbid).
7. Dog Food and Water
While this road trip may be a chance for you to try new-to-you regional cuisines, let’s stick to what you know for your dog. Keeping their routine with feeding time and food will make all of this “new” a bit easier for them to digest. Don’t forget to give them regular access to water as well (and the appropriate pee breaks!).
If Fido has a particular diet, a dog food travel bag may be helpful to store all their favorite snackies and basics.
Get it on Amazon for $37.99.
Enjoy the Wind in Your Fur!
America is big and beautiful, and you wanna explore it all with your dog. A perk of taking the car is that you’re able to be over prepared and pack all the dog travel supplies just in case. While your suitcases may be perfectly packed, don’t forget to get your dog ready for a road trip too!
Where are you going this summer with your dog? Are there any dog travel supplies we fur-got? Woof at us in the comments and tag us with #SidewalkDog on all your road tripping adventures!
Featured photo: Tim Nöhrer
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