Packing List for Road Trips with Dogs: What You Need to Know
Is your dog travelling with you? I know that when mine gets scared or nostalgic, there are only so many words she’ll tolerate from me before they start barking at the TV. If you asked me what I pack when I travel with Alzu, my first response would be “not much.” But when I unpack Alzu’s backpack (yep, she has her own special travel bag), it’s surprisingly large!
Packing everything you need (plus extras just in case) can result in a much happier dog travel experience, especially because having familiar objects around them will help them adjust to unfamiliar environments.
I am sharing a detailed list of what should you pack for your drop for a road trip. I have been on a road trip with my baby for the past 10 months & I promise you that you don’t need to follow any other list!
Must Haves
Food and Treats
Food is the most crucial necessity for your dog. Every dog has varied feeding requirements, with some dogs being pickier than others, but the simplest solution when travelling is to keep mostly to kibble (dry food). Make sure you don’t run out of supplies in case you try to replace your present food and it’s not available and you have to switch to a new brand.
While travelling through Rajasthan, I switched to this Drools Focus brand because it’s good quality and was available in practically every pet store we visited. Plus, when I bought a new one, the 4 kg bags weren’t too huge, although I sure felt the weight while moving my stuff from the car to the hotel room!
Having their favourite snacks on hand might help you get their attention and distract them from whatever they are obsessed with.
Food & Water Bowls
I try to stop every 2–3 hours for a pee break and to hydrate Alzu while we’re travelling long distances. She gets thirsty even though she isn’t doing anything better in the back of the car.
I just carry along with her existing set of simple metal bowls for her food and water bowls. They’re not too heavy and can be stacked on top of one other.
Cozy Bedding
If your dog has a favorite bed, bring it along. She’ll be happier having her usual bed while staying in an unfamiliar setting — consider it her home away from home.
Pro tip: I also use Alzu’s bed in the back seat of my car because she loves to nap when I drive! (Plus, instead of vacuuming my car regularly, I can just dust the bed to remove any pet hair.) Alzu also loves to sleep with her blanky. I also give her this while we travel on a bus or a flight.
Toys that your pet loves
Finally, remember to bring one or two of your dog’s favourite toys!
I’m sure they’ll be out and about having adventures most of the time, but whether it’s to keep them engaged on quiet evenings, distract them with something to chew on while you have supper at a café, or simply provide them with the comforts of home, they’ll be grateful. Isn’t it also your dogs’ vacation?
Alzu’s favourite toys are her Kong Classic and a scrumptious bone that she chews on all the time.
Harness or Collar & Leash
You must, of course, bring your dog’s harness or collar and leash. Make sure your dog wears a tag with your contact information, preferably her name and your phone number.
Car seat
You should prepare your back seat for your pet and ensure that they are as comfortable on the trip as you are. I use a dog seat cover. This cover protects Alzu from falling under the seat and keeps my car neat. I also placed her bed, favorite blanket, and a cushion on the car seat cover so she could use it for support during long drives. She occasionally relies on my hats for support :P
Some dogs prefer to travel in a crate for comfort and protection. The most essential thing is to choose the best option for everyone concerned. Nobody knows your dog better than you.
A towel (and plenty of paper towels) in case of rain or after swimming
When travelling with your dog, a towel is a must-have item. It may also be used to dry them after a wash or a stroll in the rain, as well as to clean dirty paws. (Just be sure to wash it on a regular basis!)
I use a little microfiber towel purchased from a Decathalon (originally intended for me!) It folds up very little (to fit in my handbag or backpack) and dries quickly.
I also carry a roll of paper towels to clean up muddy paw prints and other mishaps. I have paper towels in both my car and my purse in case of an accident.
General medicines, vitamins, and supplements
If your dog takes any medication, remember to bring it with you. The last thing you want to do when travelling is look for a veterinarian. If you’re going to be gone for an extended period of time, or when your dog’s tick/flea or deworming medication is due, make sure you bring it with you. Ticks, in particular, might be dangerous if you spend a lot of time in outdoors, such as hiking on vacation.
Dog shampoo and Grooming tools
Most dogs will require a brush/comb, depending on the breed. My golden retriever puppy should be brushed at least once a day. She needs a bath too (typically after rolling in something stinky!)
If you will be gone for an extended duration, carry your dog’s nail clippers as well. No matter how frequently Alzu is walked on concrete and hard surfaces, her nails constantly grow long and require regular trimming.
Vaccination records
I keep my pup’s documentation on my phone and a printed copy in our car, where it is always accessible. This is also her identity.
Poop bags
There may be several situations when you will need them, and you don’t want to be that irresponsible pet parent that leaves a mess behind. These are also reasonably priced.
Nobody appreciates a dog owner who fails to pick up after their pet!
Pet travel bag
I use a pet travel bag that has multi-function compartments, food container bags, and bowls to keep everything organised. I put this backpack in my car just behind my seat for convenient access to leashes, bowls, treats, food, water, towels, and other items. I also keep extra food, toys, medications, and documents in this bag so that everything is in one place.
The bag also makes it extremely easy to unload while moving to the hotel — I simply carry my bag, this bag, and her bedding — and we’re out!
Recommended
Collapsible water bowls
I carry a lightweight and cheap collapsible bowl. This is especially critical during the summer.
Water dispenser
I discovered this handy water dispenser on Amazon and bought it on a whim. Now it is indispensable- I can just fill this in when I have access to fresh water and don’t have to buy water separately (pretty environmentally friendly too) and it lasts for 3 days! Also, I don’t have to worry about her water bowl emptying when I leave her behind in the hotel room.
Bed covers for hotels
It’s a good gesture to carry a bed cover to put on the hotel sheets if your dog shares the bed with you at night (especially for heavy shedding breeds like Golden retrievers). Alzu cuddles with me in my bed while I work but sleeps in her own bed. This ensures that the room is not spoilt by her hair and wins bonus points with hotel owners.
Dog Seat belt
Some dogs require a harness seat belt to keep them in place, but my dog is quite quiet and can manage the back seat without one. If your dog is energetic and attempts to leap onto your lap while driving, a seat belt is a wise investment to avoid mishaps.
Dog Outfits
While I don’t normally dress Alzu in dog clothes, I would recommend carrying a few useful and colourful outfits for your pup. These are quite valuable for photographing your dog.
Carry a winter coat/blanket for her if you’re going somewhere very chilly. A raincoat is also useful on rainy days (will save tonnes of cleaning, both your room and car).
Dog Carrier Bag/Crate
This is especially crucial if you are taking public transportation (bus, rail, or flight); in most circumstances, crates are required.
Photo of your pet
If your dog becomes separated from you, you should keep a photo on hand. Put one in your wallet or car if you’re one of the rare pet parent who has no images of your pet on your phone (which I hope is not true).
That’s all there is to it. This list has come in handy on several trips with my golden retriever puppy Alzu. I hope this list helps you and your dog prepare for your road trip!
If I missed out on adding something to this list, please share in the comment section below! Bon voyage!
You can reach out to me at travel.shivanibohare@gmail.com or on my Instagram handle, Facebook page, or Twitter.
Happy travels! Woof Woof!
Shivani & Alzu ❤️
