Although the end of summer is fast approaching, there’s still plenty of time for a little road trip. If you’re anything like me, that means packing for both yourself and your mutt.
Traveling with pets, especially dogs, is so much easier when we’re prepared. I have a tendency to over-pack for myself (because you just never know what you might need, right?!), but when it comes to packing for my dogs, I’ve learned to anticipate what we’ll need and what can stay at home. It definitely makes getting ready for a road trip with dogs just a bit easier.
What’s In Your Road Trip Bag?
If you’re planning a road trip any time soon with your 4-legged companion, you might want to check out these items that go into our bag:
- Travel Water Dispenser
- Travel Food Bowls
- Poop Bags
- Pet ID tag
- Travel Food Bag
- Pet First-Aid Kit
(or make your own!)
- Travel Bed
- Dog Towel
In addition to the supplies listed above, you might also want to consider packing these items:
- Vet records, including vaccination history;
- A toy that will keep your dog entertained on the road trip;
- Bottled water;
- Paper towels (always handy to have in the car!).
What are some other road trip necessities for dogs? I’d love for you to leave your suggestions in a comment below! Also, be sure to check out this post for even more helpful tips for traveling with dogs.
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one and then make a purchase, we may receive a teeny tiny commission at no additional cost to you. Of course you are never obligated to make your purchase using our links but when you do, an amazing thing happens: you get something super awesome and we make a little pocket change. We call that a win-win!
Jessica @ YouDidWhatWithYourWiener.com says
May 11, 2015 at 12:05 pmOMG…you are bringing Sadie? I can’t wait to meet her and now I HAVE to bring Gretel too 🙂
As for what to bring, I do all of those things and also a small kit for cleaning up messes at hotel rooms or in the car. It has things like paper towels, carpet cleaner, glass cleaner, etc. It’s come in handy a few times for sure.
Christina Berry says
May 11, 2015 at 12:50 pmYes! I’m bringing her because at her age, I just think boarding is too hard on her. I don’t know how much of the conference she’ll actually see, but she’ll definitely be there! 🙂
A clean up kit is a great idea. You just never know when you’re gonna need it!
Camille Schake says
May 11, 2015 at 1:09 pmOne thing I always used to bring with me was a small comb and slicker brush. Our dog Spencer was a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with long ears and feathered legs, and once I walked him through what looked like a normal grassy area and he emerged covered with tiny burrs! I had to pick those burrs out one at a time, so after that, I always kept a comb and brush with me. 🙂
Amanda Yantos says
May 11, 2015 at 1:35 pmYou reminded me that I need to make a copy of all of Wynston’s vet records! I just wrote it on my conference to do list…which seems to be getting longer the closer we get to the conference!
Jen Gabbard says
May 11, 2015 at 2:35 pmGreat list for sure; I never leave home without poop bags and a water dispenser but since I don’t take longer trips as often I’m sure I’d forget a dog towel & first aid kit.
Lauren Miller (ZoePhee) says
May 11, 2015 at 3:37 pmWe’ve taken our girls on every road trip we’ve ever gone on! I usually pack a whole suitcase just for them, filled with toys and treats and their vet records. Then I have another fabric grocery bag packed with their food and bowls. I usually always over pack and my husband always complains, lol!!!
Robin says
May 11, 2015 at 3:46 pmThat’s a lot of supplies, but they are really necessary. It looks like your pup will be ready to party 🙂 I have never traveled with my cats, but I imagine that they would require a lot of traveling items as well. The secret would be having a great travel litter box and Feliway spray/diffusers that would help the kitties adjust to the unfamiliar room.
Daisy the French Bulldog says
May 11, 2015 at 11:23 pmGreat list! We always bring along some treats, too…you know, can’t survive a day without treats!
Jessica Shipman | Beagles and Bargains says
May 13, 2015 at 12:31 amGreat list! I think vet records and water are big ones for us. We usually bring a few toys, treats, and chews and a bed for the hotel even though Luna usually ends up in the people bed.
Renee P says
May 13, 2015 at 1:43 amI have never traveled with my dog. His first trip will be by airplane. I plan to take bowls but since we are flying I don’t want to pack too much stuff. I’ve decided to send a list to my niece and ask her to get the food and treats. But I do plan on taking along an antler for him to chew when we get to our destination. I didn’t think about vet records but that will definitely be something I will do now. I started a binder for him so I can keep track of important info — now I’ll add vet records to it.
Thanks for the great info!
Kayla says
October 27, 2015 at 2:56 amI’d say bring extra collar/ harness and leash, Head collar and or muzzle just incase.
Janet says
March 19, 2017 at 6:52 pmYou need Vet records to cross into Canada, even for a day trip or at least you did before 9/11. (Now, you may have to give up your first born child. lol, just kidding. They would find me and give her back because they would be tried of being ordered around.)