If you want an epic and stress-free road trip with your dog, you must have all the necessary dog car travel accessories (dog accessories for car, dog car accessories, pet travel essentials, or whatever you call it.). This is one of the most basic and vital tips for anybody who is planning a long road trip with their dogs.
These days we get to see that many people are fond of their pets more than the fellow humans that surround them. They love pets very much and try to go to any extent that they can to keep their pets in a good health condition.
And why not? The love and care these pets give us back in return of nothing is indeed huge in this mean world.
They love us unconditionally irrespective of our status or personality and that is one very significant reason why people today love their pets more than they love their own children. Some of the most important and lovable pets include dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, guinea pigs, etc. Sometimes people even have more than one pet at home when they love animals too much.
Today, we shall talk about dogs as pets. If you are a dog person then you would definitely like taking a long road trip with a dog or end up buying stuff for your dog when you travel with the pet. But sometimes it happens that people might love the dogs but they remain confused about what to buy for their dogs to keep them in a happy and healthy mood.
If you want to keep your dogs happy then you must know more about their likes and dislikes. And if you are going on a road trip with a dog then you must surely know what to take with yourself so that your dog doesn’t feel any kind of problem while on the road trip.
To help you with that here are 18 must-have things to carry while traveling with a dog in a car for a long road trip. So just read on to know more about these essential dog car travel accessories.
You might also like: 17 Essential Tips for Traveling with Cats in a Car Long Distance
18 Most Essential Dog Car Travel Accessories You Must Have in Your Car
Before you begin making notes about the things you need for a long road trip with a dog, we suggest you give a little thought about your trip’s timing and weather too. Because undoubtedly, the weather plays a huge role in road trips. And if you don’t have all the required road trip accessories for dogs according to the weather then it can turn your perfect trip into a total nightmare.
So whenever you plan for a long road trip with dogs, get all the valuable things you need for a road trip according to the weather and don’t forget any dog car travel accessories if you want a stress-free trip.
After reading all these helpful and relevant tips for road trips with a dog, now it’s time to find out how to road trip with a dog without any inconvenience and what to pack for a road trip with a dog. So without any further ado, let’s have a look at the list of 18 most essential dog car travel accessories you must have in your car. Here we go:
Best Dog Car Harness
You cannot avoid car collisions and so you cannot control your dog from being hurt when the collisions become frequent. Thus buying a dog harness as one of the dog car travel accessories is one of the best methods to keep your dog safer during a journey.
You can surely keep them in a trunk in a crate but if you want to make them feel like a family member then keeping them together with you using a harness would be a good idea.
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When choosing a harness, go for breathable and durable materials. These harnesses can be fitted in the seat belt and can also be used for going for long walks. But one thing that you must take care of is that you must buy the right sized harness for your dogs so that it does not make them feel uncomfortable.
Some key features of the best dog harness include more adjustment points, crash-tested for safety, breathable fabric, reflective strips, quick attachments to the car seats, etc.
What’s the best dog car harness? Well, here are our top three picks for the best dog harnesses for cars to keep your companion safe:
- Kurgo Dog Harness | Car Harness for Dogs (Best Choice)
- Pawaboo Dog Safety Vest Harness | Dog Car Harness (Best Value)
- SlowTon Dog Car Harness Plus Connector Strap (Best Overall)
Dog Booster Seat for Cars
If you want to keep your pet in comfort then this is one must-have accessory to carry with you while you go for a long road trip with your dog. The dog booster seats are specially made for providing comfort to your pet.
The dog booster seats come in variable size and shape to fit your dogs. They can be backless form and also high back forms but the booster seats are not attached to the car seat through anything. Dog car booster seats are just like carriers for the dogs, more like soft bedding which allows them to be comfortable while going for a long road trip with a dog.
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Dog booster seats for cars are not too pricey to worry about and thus every dog owner can think of affording them when they are going for a long road trip with their dogs. It is almost like a must-have accessory for your dog when you intend for a long road trip.
Are you curious to find out – what is the best dog booster seat for car? Well, here are the 3 top-rated and best dog car booster seats for small and medium dogs:
Adjustable Dog Seat Belt for Car
Your dog is precious to you just like your fellow human companions when going for a long drive or car trips outside. And when you decide to carry your dog with you, then you must also think and arrange for all their safety precautions. Right from their harness to their seat belt, you must have everything present in your car to keep your dog safer and healthier throughout the trip.
The best travel accessories for dogs in the car include adjustable dog seat belts. Well, we humans can put in the car belt easily but what about our pet dogs? Of Course, we love them right? So we can’t compromise on their safety or healthiness while we take them for a road trip in our car.
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Thus, buying an adjustable seat belt for them is the best thing we can do for them. They come in great varieties and you must choose the right size and material keeping your dog in mind.
What is the safest dog seat belt for cars (best dog seat belt crash tested)? Well, if you want a lightweight, adjustable, and crash tested dog seat belt to keep your dog safe while traveling then these are our recommendations:
- Vastar 2 Packs Adjustable Pet Dog Cat Car Seat Belt (Best Choice)
- BWOGUE 2 Packs Dog Cat Safety Seat Belt Strap (Best Overall)
Waterproof Car Seat Covers for Dogs
If you are going for a road trip with a dog you must be aware that they can poop or do toilet any time which you shall not be aware of! Not only that, but they can also spill their water from the bowl or drinking bottle which can cause the car seat to get wet or dirty. And you cannot always expect them to show sovereignty while on a long road trip even if you litter train them well in the beginning.
So, the best thing that you can do is to carry a waterproof car seat cover for dogs to be relaxed throughout the journey. Even if they spill water or toilet in the seat, you don’t have to worry about your car seat cover anymore when it’s waterproofed.
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You just need to clean the liquid and your car seat remains in good condition. These waterproof car covers are very necessary when you are going for long road trips with your dog.
If you want to protect your leather car seats from dogs you need the best quality car seats covers for dogs, right? And if you are wondering what is the best car seat cover for dogs then here we have listed the three top-rated scratchproof and waterproof car seat covers for dogs:
Dog Bed for Back Seat of Car
Are you confused as to what to pack for a road trip with a dog? Then you must know that buying a dog bed for the backseat of the car is just the thing that you need for your pet. Dogs are easy to be around and do not create much nuisance when taken for a trip. But you must be aware of their comfort and healthiness while on a long trip with them.
As you want to take a rest or lay your head on the car seat for a while by lowering it or bending the seat a little, you must also think about the comfort of your dog, and thus carrying a dog bed is just the perfect thing you can do.
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A dog bed must consist of linens and rugs which can help them take rest and feel comfortable. When you choose the right dog bedding you choose their comfort and healthiness without a doubt.
Are you planning to keep your dog in the back seat during your road trip? If yes then you need a comfy and calming dog bed for car back seat. Here are our top picks, select any of the best dog bed for backseat of car and make your car backseat safer and more comfortable for your dog:
- K&H PET PRODUCTS Travel/SUV Pet Bed (Best Choice)
Safest Dog Crate for Car Travel
Well, not many can like the idea of traveling with a crate inside the car for their dog but it can be considered as the safest way to travel with a dog in the car. If your dog is bigger in size than you must carry a big crate and if your dog is smaller in size then a medium-sized crate would be good enough for the travel.
When you go for long road trips, being safe with your pet is always recommended. As the dogs have limited movable space inside the car and it can also harm itself along with others. If it moves frequently then it might cause hindrance to the co-passengers and bring discomfort in the entire journey.
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So, it’s better to carry a dog crate which is the best size for your dog to travel with you for a long road trip. Look for good and durable materials so that it makes your dog feel comfortable when they are put inside it.
If you are a dog owner and really love traveling and especially road trips then you need the best quality car travel crate for dogs (crash-tested dog crates). But do you know – What is the safest dog crate for a car? Well, don’t worry, here are our top picks for the best dog crates for car travel and best dog crate for car backseat:
- Basics Portable Folding Soft Dog Travel Crate Kennel (Best Choice)
Dog Carrier Backpack
How good it feels when we can carry our babies in a backpack and do not have to worry about holding them all the way while on a long walk. Likewise, you can do the same for your pet dog also when you go out for a trip outside or for a long drive.
It is indeed alright to let the dogs walk or put a harness around their necks to control them but if you love them like your baby then your affection towards them should know no limits. You can carry a backpack for your dog too when going for long walks and it can be one of the best road trip accessories for dogs that you can buy.
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It becomes easy to carry your dog when you go trekking or for long walks during your traveling journey. It also does not feel so heavy to carry them on your back and your entire journey becomes easier and better in every aspect for both you and your dog.
Are you in search of the best dog carrier backpack for hiking, walking, or travel? To make your search easier, we did a little research and found out some of the best dog carrier backpacks for all purposes. Here are our top picks:
- Pawaboo Pet Carrier Backpack, Adjustable Pet Front Cat Dog Carrier Backpack Travel Bag, Legs Out (Best Overall)
Spill-Proof Dog Bowl
You can train your puppy to eat in a certain manner but at the end of the day, they must have their own traits for executing any task. Thus, as their nature is, they like to spill food and water given in a bowl, mainly if it’s not a puppy anymore but a grown-up dog.
But when you are taking them out in your car, you have to also take care of the fact that you need to keep your car clean and hygienic. So, amongst all the things you need for road trips with your dog, taking one spill-proof dog bowl is the necessity.
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You can put in dog food and water in the bowl and they would feed on them without spilling much into the car which would not be possible otherwise. It is necessary for you to maintain car cleanliness and hygiene at the same time.
Why is my dog a messy drinker and how do I get my dog to drink water without making a mess? If you have this question in your mind too then the “Spill-proof dog bowl” is a perfect solution for this situation and it’s one of the most essential dog accessories for cars. Here are the three most highly recommended spill-proof water bowls for dogs:
- Road Refresher No Slobber, No Spill Dog Water Bowl (Best Value)
- Petmate No Spill Bowl for Dogs | Splash-Proof Design (Premium Pick)
Portable Dog Water Bottle
If you are not yet aware of this awesome stuff that can be considered amongst one of the best car accessories for dogs, then you are not even close to loving your pet. The portable water bottle for dogs is something that every pet owner would love to own. And more so, when you take your dog out for a long drive or a road trip.
These water bottles are easy to use and easier to feed your dogs while traveling in the car. The regular drinking of water from the bowl causes many hindrances while on the moving car. So, carrying a portable dog water bottle along with you is the safest way to travel with a dog in your car and to feed water to your pet.
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They come in various sizes and you must choose one accordingly to your needs. The design of these dog water bottles is more like a bowl on the top of the bottle which lets the dogs sip water from the bottle easily.
What kind of water bottle is best for dogs? Well, whenever you are choosing the best dog water bottles for travel and outdoors, make sure you go for a lightweight and leak-proof dog water dispenser with a drinking feeder. Here are some of the most popular and best selling portable water bottles for dogs:
- MalsiPree Dog Water Bottle, Leak Proof Portable Puppy Water Dispenser with Drinking Feeder for Pets Outdoor (Best Choice)
- Lesotc Pet Water Bottle for Dogs, Dog Water Bottle Foldable (Premium Pick)
Dog Calming Treats
As you go for long drives on a trip in your car, it becomes irritating or annoying after a point of time even if you like traveling by car or like to do road trips. So, how come one can think that a dog would enjoy such long trips being caged in the car for long hours?
These long journeys in the car can make them agitated to certain levels that they can start behaving in a tempted way. So, to calm your pet, you must keep some dog calming treats inside your car which would make your agitated pet calmer during the long drive.
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Some such treats include chewing toffees or medicinal supplements as well which works well on the nervous system of the caged dogs and helps to make them calmer within a few minutes. You must also keep them with you when you are going for long traveling journeys with your pet dog. Now you know how to road trip with a dog without any inconvenience.
As we all know, among some of the most proven ways to calm an anxious dog, dog anxiety relief and dog calming medications hold the top position. Right? So, if you are looking for the best dog calming treats to reduce stress then here are our top picks for the premium care dog calming chews and best calming treats for dogs:
- VetriScience Laboratories – Composure, Calming Behavior Support Supplement for Dogs Dealing with Separation Stress (Premium Pick)
Chew Toys for Dogs
Dogs are very active animals and they like to chew on stuff that they get to hold on. And if you have a pet dog and you’re taking it out for a long road trip, you must know how to keep your pet entertained for long.
Obviously, when you are out for a long road trip with a dog in your car, you won’t be able to make it take a stroll or have fun activities with you. Thus you need such things which not only keep them busy for some time but is also good for their health as well.
And this is why durable dog chew toys (dog chewing bone, dog chewing sticks, dog chewing rope, dog chewing gum, or other dog chewing toys) are one of the most essential dog car travel accessories you must have in your car to make vacationing with your dogs very easier, safer, and much more enjoyable.
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The chew toys for dogs are available in various forms and you can get them in the market for a very minimal price range as well. Like you can get duck-shaped toys, bone-shaped toys, and other such designs that are chewy in form but are not edible. Thus your dog would remain entertained or busy when they try to chew the food but they won’t be able to do the same.
What is the best toy for a dog who chews? Well, if you’re a dog mom or dad to a chew-happy dog then you understand the difficulty of finding the best dog chew toys that last. Isn’t it? But don’t worry, we did a little bit of research about the toys for dogs that chew a lot and here are the best chew toys for dogs you can buy online:
- Nylabone Power Chew Textured Dog Chew Ring Toy (Best Overall)
- Petstages Dog Chew Toys – Safe, Natural & Healthy Chewable Sticks (Honourable Mention)
Portable Air Conditioner for Dog in Car
If you are taking out your dog for a road trip in your car in the scorching heat of summer or a warm-weather then you must know that you must also care for their cooling effect apart from yourself. In our previous guide “road tripping with dogs“, we have already discussed this topic in detail. You can check out the guide and learn how to keep your dog cool in the car while traveling to a long-distance and what is the accurate and safe temperature to leave a dog in the car.
Though you have an air conditioner in your car which can pull down the temperatures to a certain degree than outside, still it might not be good enough for the dogs to get a cooling effect. So, the best dog accessories for car travel during summers is to buy a portable air conditioner for them.
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And don’t worry, there are countless portable air conditioning for cars available in the market that you can easily buy in a very small budget.
You can keep it near their bedding or sitting area so that they can feel the cooling effect without any hindrance. It can bring them comfort and harmony in the scorching heat of summer and it is good to carry as well because it comes in a portable size.
Now that you know the importance of an air conditioner in your car while traveling with your dog, you must be thinking what is the best portable air conditioner for a car? Right? Well, here are our best picks for the best portable air conditioners for cars you can buy online:
- New Air Cooler, Small Personal Air Conditioner Fan USB Desk Fan Mini Air Purifier (Honourable Mention)
Cooling Pad for Dogs
These are generally needed for the scorching months of summer when the dogs get heated easily. Although you have an AC in your car and it can bring down the temperature from outside, still you need to protect your dog more as they are your found pets. You can buy a cooling pad for your dog when you are going on a long road trip with your dog.
It is, in fact, one of the cheapest solutions to keep your dog away from the scorching heat of the outside and be comfortable in the journey. Out of all the car accessories for dogs, this one counts for one genuine thing that every dog owner must carry with themselves while out on a trip.
Last update on 2024-04-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
These self-cooling pads are not only meant to keep your dog cooler in the hot and humid climate but to also look after a good and comfortable travel experience while on the road trip. You must buy one if you don’t have one.
Since now you know that the dog cooling pad requires no water, electricity, or refrigeration and automatically recharges after 15-20 minutes of non-use. So, now it’s time to find out what is the best cooling pad for dogs? Here are the top picks for dog cooling pads and self-cooling mats for dogs:
Portable Car Vacuum Cleaner
One of the most essential dog car travel accessories you must-have for your dog is this one- portable car vacuum cleaner. When you are carrying your dog with you, it is ought to become dirty. The car can become dirty due to various reasons which include spilling of food, dog fur accumulation, paw marks, etc, and for those reasons, you need to clean your car frequently so that it remains hygienic all throughout the journey.
Obviously, you can’t keep your car dirty during the journey neither can you take your car for wash away in the garage during the journey to wash off the dirt. So, you must have this portable car vacuum cleaner in your car when going out of the house with your dog for a long drive.
The price of these vacuum cleaners is also not too much to fume and thus, keeping one handy always is definitely the best choice that you can make while going for a road trip with your dog.
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The working principle of rechargeable and portable car vacuum cleaners is very much similar to a normal multi-purpose vacuum cleaner for household ones. But the portable vacuum cleaner for cars means enough power in a tiny package, perfectly designed to glide and work pretty well with dry and wet cleaning.
A powerful and best car vacuum cleaner can suck dust and debris from your car’s interior like a champion without any issue. So, now the question is which portable vacuum cleaner is best for car? Well, here are our top recommendations:
Car Odor Eliminator
For a car freak, nothing can be as important as maintaining his/her beloved vehicle in the best possible condition, inside out. Right? This is why in our previous guide, we went into detail about how to get smoke smell out of the car and how to keep your car smelling good all the time. You can read the guide and learn all the methods.
You can’t deny the fact that your dog smells foul sometimes and carrying your dog in your car for a longer period can also cause your car to smell foul at times. Thus, you need a good car odor eliminator when taking out your dog for long trips. If you do not wish to buy artificial products then you can easily go for homemade or natural remedies to remove the dog odor from your car.
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Some of these home remedies include using a shampoo for washing stains, using white vinegar, baking soda, steam cleaning, charcoal briquets, etc can also work as a good smell removing agents. You can also go for artificial sprays that are available in the market to keep the smell out of your car while traveling with your dog.
There are many tips for road trips with a dog so that it can be a comfortable one and this is surely one of the best tips that you can follow to have a smooth and comfortable journey.
As we all know, using a professional car odor eliminator or car odor remover is one of the quickest ways to remove dog odor from the car interior. So, now the question is what is the best odor eliminator for cars? Well, here are the top-rated and best car odor eliminator recommendations:
- Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator (Best Overall)
- PURGGO Car Air Freshener – Lasts 365+ Days – No Chemicals (Premium Pick)
Dog Blankets for Sleep and Warmth
When on a long trip we all need comfort and warmth as the journey is also a bit longer than usual. Similarly, we must arrange for the same for our dogs as well.
When we take them out for a long drive or road trip we must consider the fact that they also need warmth and a good sleep in the meantime we travel. Thus, arranging for dog blankets for sleep and warmth is one of the best car accessories for dog owners.
It is better when the weather is a little colder or when your AC speed is too high. Dog blankets come in various sizes and materials, of which you must choose the best quality products for your dog.
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You know your dog the best way and thus, choosing the right material for the dog blanket is always in your hands. Never compromise with the quality as it is a matter of warmth and comfort of your loving pet.
The basic purpose of any dog blankets or dog bed blankets is to provide extra comfort and softness in every way. Right? And if you are curious to find out about some of the best dog blankets to keep your dog snuggly and warm then here are our top three picks for the best blankets for dogs:
Adjustable Dog Ramps for Cars
Dogs are indeed playful and active animals who don’t like to be caged in one place for a longer period. Sure if you are going with you for a long road trip then you must know that you should let them be active and playful as well.
According to many veterinarians and dog experts, you must use a powerful dog ramp if you have a large breed dog that happens to be overweight or obese, is suffering from any illness. Dog ramps are portable and foldable which makes it easier for getting in and out of a car.
Last update on 2024-04-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
According to many veterinarians and dog experts, you must use a powerful dog ramp if you have a large breed dog that happens to be overweight or obese, is suffering from any illness. Dog ramps are portable and foldable which makes it easier for getting in and out of a car.
In case, if you need a reliable adjustable ramp for your dog but you have no idea how to choose the best dog ramp for SUVs and trucks then here we present you the top three best dog ramps for small dogs and large dogs:
Dog First Aid Kit
It is evident that you can get hurt while on a trip and for that, you need immediate medical assistance to cure the hurt. Likewise, if you are carrying your dog with you for a road trip or a long drive, they can eventually get hurt during the trip as well. So one thing that you can do to provide them with immediate medical assistance is by keeping a dog first aid kit in your car.
When you have a first aid kit set in your car you do not have to go blank seeing your dog getting hurt during the travel. You should also know how to implement these first aid kits to keep your dog in a safer condition so that you can save them from all the complications during the journey.
Last update on 2024-04-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Some of the essential things that you must keep on the first aid box include hydrogen peroxide, gauze, and scissors, antibiotic ointment, a small towel, emergency contact numbers of your veterinarian, poop bags, and other important medications.
When your dog suffers any kind of illness or injury knowing what first aid to do (and what not to do) can have a huge impact on their fast recovery, safety, and comfort. So, now the question is what should be in a first aid kit for dogs? or What is the best dog first aid kit for camping or traveling? Well, here are our top picks for the first-aid kit for dogs you can buy online:
- RC Pet Products Pet First Aid Kit (Best Choice)
Final Thoughts on Must-Have Dog Car Travel Accessories
A pet is loved by all the pet owners and they go to any extent to keep their pets in the best of health and happiness. But sometimes people do not understand the exact needs of their pet which leads to unhappiness and inactiveness of the pets when they are out with their owners or at their shelter as well.
When you own a pet you must be selfless and give your best to keep them in good health condition. You must take them to regular veterinarian visits and grooming sessions to avoid any kind of health complications. You must also look after their diet and shelter so that they do not face any kind of problems as they cannot tell their problems to us like our fellow human companions.
So, it’s better to read and understand their needs first and then bring home a pet. Likewise, if you are a dog person, you must know what all they like to eat or how do they like to interact with you so that you do not face any problem in being with them happily and healthily.
Similarly, if you are traveling with your dog then you must know in detail about the car travel accessories for dogs so that you can have a comfortable ride with your dog. It is evident that when you take care of your dog, they will feel more comfortable around you and you would also be able to communicate with your pet in a better manner.
When you are packing your bag for a trip you already know the things you need for a road trip and now you also know the things you need for your dog while on a road trip. So, the next time you go for a long drive with your dog, you won’t feel the burden of carrying your pet along with you, rather you will enjoy your ride without much hindrance.
So, what are you waiting for? Plan a road trip with your dogs now and enjoy their company as much as you can. And hey, don’t forget all the dog road trip essentials.
You may also be interested in checking out:
- How to Keep Your Dog Cool in the Car while Traveling
- How to Get Dog Hair Out of Car Carpet and Seats
- 17 Best Dog Car Seat Covers and Car Seat Protector for Dogs
- 18 Best Car Travel Accessories for Toddlers and Babies
- 24 Most Essential Car Accessories for Women Drivers of All Ages
- 13 Best Cat Carrier for Long Distance Car Travel in 2020
