Traveling with your precious pup can be fun and exciting, but it can also be somewhat stressful if you haven’t fully prepared!
Whether it’s a day at the beach or a weekend in the countryside, making sure you have all of the right accessories can make the experience much better for both pet and owner.
Here is a rundown of all of the essential items that you need to keep your dog safe and comfortable when out and about, and it makes your life much easier in the process.
A Dog Walk Kit
The easiest way to simplify travel with a pup is to put together a great dog walk kit that contains all of the fundamental accessories you need for the task.
There are plenty of brands that offer coordinated and matching dog walk kits that include everything from harnesses to collars to leads and more. Rather than having to hunt around the house to find separate products in separate drawers, having a dedicated walk kit by the front door gives you the peace of mind that you are heading off for your travel with everything that your pet needs to complete their exercise safely.
Portable Water Bottles and Bowls
Keeping your pup hydrated on the go is essential, even more so during hotter months and longer walks.
A great trick is to have a portable bottle with a built-in bowl that you can whip out whenever you need it. They are usually collapsible and made from a sturdy and flexible material like silicone, which makes them really easy for things like backpacking. Such a small accessory that can make a huge difference on a day trip or when stuck in a car.
Travel-Friendly Harnesses
An adjustable, secure harness is arguably the most important accessory to have in order to make sure your pet can travel safely. Unlike a traditional collar, a harness will distribute pressure more evenly across your dog’s body, providing much better control in an unfamiliar environment.
This is obviously beneficial if you are going to be navigating through crowded train or bus stations and through busy streets. A good lightweight harness will keep your pup safe without being uncomfortable for longer periods of wear.
Hands-Free Leads
Travelling usually involves juggling between bags, phones, coffees, tickets, luggage, and more, and having to keep control of your pet with those same hands can be a struggle!
A hands-free lead can be the answer to that problem, allowing you to stay connected to your pup whilst still having your hands available for everything else.
Crossbody and waist-worn leads are both great options for airports, busy cities, and hiking paths, offering so much more freedom of movement whilst still keeping that all-important level of control.
Dog Travel Bags
It’s always a good idea to have a dedicated travel bag for everything that your dog needs in one place, so that you don’t have to keep digging into your own luggage to fish out things like toys, treats, wipes, and even ID papers if you are crossing borders.
The best dog travel bags come with lots of different compartments that are designed for food storage, meaning you can keep all of their essentials in their own dedicated areas.
Comfort Accessories for Rest Stops
Particularly long travel days can be just as tiring for your pup as they are for you, so make sure you have things like portable blankets, calming mats, or even a compact travel bed that will help to create a more familiar space for your pet, no matter where you are.
These items are especially important when spending lots of time in a car, because the last thing you want is an irritated and restless pooch when there are still hundreds of miles to go!