14 Must have items when travelling with your dog

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We keep over 470 million dogs as pets and many of us can’t bear to be without our loyal and loveable best friends. That is why we often want to take our dogs on vacation with us. I have travelled many times within my own country and abroad and it has been some of the best times of my life.

Experiencing a new place with Luna, my gorgeous bouncy pup adds to the excitement. We have got to experience so much together and because of her, I have had experiences I would never have had alone.

The first time you take a holiday with your dog it can seem overwhelming though. There are a few things you need to think about and points to consider and you have to plan very thoroughly.

Planning your vacation with your pup means not only do you need your own packing list but one for them too. These include the essentials and then a few extra things you may not have thought of. Generally speaking, you are going to need all the basics:

• Food for your trip.
• Medications for the length of your journey and paperwork if needed.
• Leash, a long and short is a good idea.
• Collar or harness.
• Bowls, both travel and normal.
• Water because you don’t know when you can stop.
• Kitty litter, especially if your pup isn’t used to travelling.
• Litter box
• Toys, all of their favourites!
• Waste bags
• Something to catch waste if necessary.

You may need extra things that are specific for your dog but these are the main essentials that should be on your checklist.

To make it easier for you we compiled a list of some of the “Must have items when travelling with your dog” that are available to buy on Amazon. We have included the Amazon stars and our own rating along with an honest review as to whether this product will actually make travelling with your dog better for both of you.

So here is the list of what should be on your list when travelling with your dog.

Spill-Proof Dog Water Bowl Travel 

The Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars4.6
Our Tried and Tested Rating: 4.8 out of 5.0 stars4.8
Key points about this item:

• A portable dog bowl that is convenient for when on the go.
• A no-spill dog bowl with a tapered lip helps reduce splashing while travelling and keeps kibble and even water off your car floor.
• Made of food-grade silicone and dishwasher safe

I was dubious… My dog does not have great table manners and she is a messy eater and a splashy drinker but it really did what it said on the label. I put the bowl on a none slip wipeable mat and there was no more mess than I find at home. It is great to say she was diving into kibble as we were cruising down the highway. It was a great purchase; the only problem was it wasn’t the easiest to clean when travelling. It is dishwasher safe so I could give it a great clean when I got home, but it wasn’t so easy when on the road.

Chuckit Travel Dog Bed

The Amazon Rating: 4.8 out of 5.0 stars4.8
Our Tried and Tested Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0
Key points about this item:

• A portable dog bed, a travel dog bed that keeps pets comfortable during a vacation and or road trips.
• Easy to clean and machine washable dog bed that holds its shape after wash and features a built-in loop to hang dry.
• Rolls up compactly to keep pets comfortable on the go

I love that is easily portable, lightweight, and washable and it was a lot thicker and plusher than I expected it to be. It is made of high quality and has two sides made of different materials which meant it could be warm side up or cool side up depending on the weather which is great. So… why did I only give it a 4 star? My pup just loves her own bed and didn’t take to it. I know that isn’t a reflection on the product but something for you to consider. What I would do in future is make the Chuckit Travel Dog Bed her home dog bed too so she is totally comfortable with it.

Roll-Up Travel Dog Bed

The Amazon Rating: 4.2 out of 5.0 stars4.2
Our Tried and Tested Rating: 3.5 out of 5.0 stars3.5

Key points about this item:

• The perfect bed for your travelling pet
• Features a carry handle, hook and loop fasteners, so the pet bed easy to roll up and carry away.
• Interlocking memory foam keeps the foam from shifting, sagging or compressing over time and washes.

Unfortunately, I had exactly the same issue with his bed as the Chuckit Travel Dog Bed, Luna just wouldn’t take to it. As a direct comparison though it is a great product the quality of the Chuckit rated higher for me however for the price it is a great option if you are on a budget and the faux fur lining was super soft.

Dog Travel Accessories Bag

The Amazon Rating: 4.9 out of 5.0 stars4.9
Our Tried and Tested Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0

Key points about this item:

• Ample storage for all of your dog’s accessories and treats.
• Easy and convenient to feed your dog on the go.
• Store up to a weeks’ worth of food and treats.
• Purchase with a risk-free, 100% satisfaction guarantee.

I had some concerns; did I really need a dog travel bag? I had the whole car and then when I was camping or hiking, I just had a regular tote that I had renames as my dog tote. Now, I wouldn’t go anywhere without the Dog Travel Accessories Bag. It stores everything, neatly and organised and it is so easy to carry, I absolutely love it and it makes it so much easier to pack for Luna.

Collapsible Travel Dog Crate

The Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars4.6
Our Tried and Tested Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0 stars3.0

Key points about this item:

• Petsfit soft travel crate
• This travel dog crate is odourless and safe to protect your pet’s health.
• It has two doors and the top entrance can be rolled up.
• Lightweight, sturdy and foldable.

This crate is super soft, lightweight and with lots of meshing so, your dog can see out and have a good nosy. It took about one minute to put together and the same to take apart. The sizing guide is perfect, I bought a large and it was the perfect fitting for my pooch. I had to give 3 stars though because my dog is not used to being crated and found it the ultimate game to work out how to free herself… which she did in half an hour. So if you have a dog that is used to a crate and isn’t looking to make the great escape it is perfect, but if you have a dog that likes to make a getaway, it isn’t the crate for you.

Slowton Dog Booster Car Seat

The Amazon Rating: 4.4 out of 5.0 stars4.4
Our Tried and Tested Rating: no review

Key points about this item:

• Comes with reinforced metal frame supports
• Comes with a seat belt strap
• Made with zippered breathable mesh window
• The car seat also comes with a washable and reusable pet pee pad

I couldn’t give a full review for this product as my dog is twice the size of the recommended fit. However, I could review the quality which was fantastic and the pee pad was a great addition, came out in two seconds and fit in my standard washer with no issue. I did a test wash and it dried as good as new. This product would be great for a small dog or even a cat.

Kennel Pet Carrier for Small Dogs

The Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars4.6
Our Tried and Tested Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0

Key points about this item:

• Roomy enough for small pets to stand up and also turn around.
• Fitted with a coated Mesh for both ventilate and comfort.
• Lots of external pockets for multi-use storage.
• Both a carrying handle and a shoulder-padded strap for convenience.
• Opens on both ends and zippered on the side to calm your pet easily.

I couldn’t give a full review for this product as my dog is twice the size of the recommended fit, but my friend has a chihuahua so I leant it to her for a few days to try out and she actually asked me if she could keep it. The carrier is vented on every side which made her dog much more comfortable than the current carrier she was using, and the padded shoulder strap meant she could go from the car to walking in seconds and it was so comfortable. She said you could tell it was designed by dog owners as all was so easy to use and convenient.

Ezydog Drive Safety Travel Dog Car Harness

The Amazon Rating: 4.3 out of 5.0 stars4.3
Our Tried and Tested Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0

Key points about this item:

• A car safety harness that conforms to all relevant requirements.
• Easy to fit, simply feed the seat belt through both webbing handles on the top of the harness.
• You only have to fit the harness to your dog once which saves time in the future.
• Made with only the strongest and high-quality materials

I LOVED this harness. It was so simple, so easy and my dog was kept secure the entire time. I would 100% Recommend this product it saved me so much time and kept Luna extra safe.

4-In-1 Dog Car Seat Cover 

The Amazon Rating: 4.8 out of 5.0 stars4.8
Our Tried and Tested Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0

Key points about this item:

• A beautifully designed Luxury Car Seat Cover for Dogs.
• Comes with a mesh visual window in the centre of the dog seat cover.
• With 2 Velcro openings that can protect your car seat from scratches, hair & fur, smell and dirt as well as keeping your pet safe and sound.
• This dog car seat cover is super easy to set up and remove in just 60 seconds for a quick in-and-out trip with your dog as well as longer journeys.

Usually, with car covers, I have to replace them every year because they don’t wash well or dry the same. This product is made of high-quality materials which washed perfectly, went in the dryer and did everything I needed it to. It was easy to install and folded really nicely for storage when not in use.

Foldable Dog Crate

The Amazon Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars4.5
Our Tried and Tested Rating: 2.0 out of 5.0 stars2.0

Key points about this item:

• An all-in-one dog crate for indoor, outdoor, training and most importantly travel.
• Strong yet lightweight steel tube designing that can be folded and then unfolded super-fast.
• The steel frame is covered with a water-resistant cover that is fully removable and machine washable for your convenience.
• This kennel comes with a waterproof mat for the floor of the crate which is reversible with a washable fleece cushion pad.

This dog crate may be great for some but for an active bouncy dog, it wasn’t strong or durable. After just one trip the mesh ripped and I was unable to use the product. I would say that it was easy to fit and made from high-quality materials but better for calmer dogs.

Dog Hammock Car Seat

The Amazon Rating: 4.4 out of 5.0 stars4.4
Our Tried and Tested Rating: 4.4 out of 5.0 stars4.4

Key points about this item:

• You can separate your dog from the other back passenger.
• Water and stain-resistant.
• Works perfectly with seatbelts and has east access slots.
• Pocket holders for extra storage.

The seat cover fit into my car easy and was quick to install and it stayed in place pretty well but had a little slippage. It’s well made with tough durable fabric and protected the seats. It kept my pooch contained and not falling off the seat every time I braked which is a huge deal for my crazy hound. A great pro of this is you can have another person in the back too, and keep your dog and passenger separate but with space to give some strokes.

2 Packs Dog Cat Safety Seat Belt Strap

The Amazon Rating: 4.6 out of 5.0 stars4.6
Our Tried and Tested Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars4.5

Key points about this item:

• Fitted with a heavy-duty nylon fabric and anti-rust hook and clip which will ensure durability.
• Comes with a premium zinc alloy swivel snap to allow your pet space and movement to spin around with no tangle.
• Fully adjustable straps that can be adjusted to fit small pets to large breed.

Worked better for my dog because the attachment to the car is up high and she is a tall dog so there was less chance to tangle up in it. It can be a fiddle so I bought an extra harness and just leave the harness separately attached to it so I have an easy system for keeping my dog secure in the car.

Dog Car Seat Pet Booster

The Amazon Rating: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars4.5
Our Tried and Tested Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0 stars4.0

Key points about this item:

• The dog booster car seat can be easily disassembled and can be machine washed or hand washed for quick and easy washing and convenience.
• It has an adjustable buckle design that can be adjusted according to different car models.
• Portable storage solution: it is super good for pets to travel.
• Suitable for small and medium-sized dogs or cats of around 40 pounds.

My dog isn’t the best travel companion for front seat driving. She is bouncy, gets car sick and demands attention so it is much safer is she is in the back for both of us. This made me a little uncertain of this product but she took to it instantly, was super calm with her snout against the window watching the world pass us by.

Mobile Dog Gear, Ultimate Week Away Backpack

The Amazon Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
Our Tried and Tested Rating: 5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0

Key points about this item:

• Conveniently pack and organize your dog’s belongings for long or short trips.
• A travel bag for dogs that also meets airline carry-on requirements.
• A polyester exterior that is resistant to tearing and ripping.
• Comes with 2 5-cup lined food carriers and 2 2-cup collapsible silicone dog bowls that zip up with a placemat on the front of the bag.

This is my favourite purchase by far. It is so comfortable, made with dogs in mind so everything you need is stored where you would logically put it. I never forget anything now when I travel as it all has its own space so if something is missing… I know instantly. It looks great, feels great and works just as it should.

As you can see there is a huge range of items out there to suit all kinds of budgets that make travelling with your dog even easier. Any problem you may face, there is a tried and tested solution that will accommodate you and your pups needs to make travelling with them, the best vacation you can take!

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