My Dog and I Never Travel Without These 11 Things

Before adopting my dog, I often romanticized what it would be like to travel with him. After adopting him, I realized just how unromantic traveling with a dog can be.

Taking a trip with your dog is hard mode. When your dog has anxiety (and mine has enough for both of us), you’re just kicking the difficulty up a notch.

However, it’s been nearly three years since my dog, Toby, joined the family. In that time, my husband and I have figured out how to turn outings with our dog from unnecessarily stressful to actually fun for all of us. A big part of this success has to do with us figuring out the right essentials to bring when traveling with a dog. 

Aside from the basics – poop bags, leashes, treats – what else do you need? Turns out, a lot if you want to keep your sanity. 

I’ve created this list of the key items I use when I take trips with my dog. These items help make travel comfortable for all of us, while keeping Toby safe and stress-free. Use this list and Sky’s excellent advice for traveling with a dog to plan a trip with your pup that’ll have you romanticizing excursions yet again.

11 of My Favorite Finds for Traveling with My Dog

Dog Water Bottle

My dog gets anxious at the drop of a hat. I always try to have water on hand so he can cool down if he’s been panting from stress. However, I find the collapsible water dishes inconvenient. Sometimes, I can’t find a nearby water source to fill them, and other times, I have to dump it all out after Toby decides he’s not actually thirsty.

The Cibaabo Dog Water Bottle is one of my favorite items I’ve bought for my pup. It has a button to dispense just the right amount of water. What remains can easily flow back into the bottle, so you don’t have to waste it. There’s a 10-oz version for small dogs and a 19-oz one for big dogs. Plus, it comes with a container for treats or kibble.

Dog Car Seat

Having a designated spot for your dog in the car is essential for their safety and your own. This is especially so if your pup (like mine) enjoys frolicking around the backseat and trying to climb into your lap while you’re driving.  

I love the PETSFIT Dog Car Seats for Small Dogs because it keeps my dog in place. It has a hook to attach to his harness, so he’s not jostled around when the car is moving, and he can’t walk around on a whim. It also seems to keep him calmer and is a nice place for him to curl up and nap on longer rides.

Hands Free Leash

Trying to hike or explore a busy area while holding on to your dog’s leash the whole time can feel needlessly inconvenient. It’s also frustrating if your dog tends to pull. Upgrading to a hands-free leash was a game-changer. It instantly improved our hikes and coffee shop runs alike.

The iYoShop Hands Free Dog Leash is a great choice with a bungee function to help reduce tugging and multiple D-rings you can use to shorten or lengthen the line. It comes in different sizes for large or small pups, and has a convenient zipper pouch to keep dog waste bags or treats handy. 

Dog Chew

Need to help your dog work out stress or stay entertained for a long trip? Chewing is another good way for a dog to de-stress, and I can’t recommend investing in a good dog chew enough.

The Himalayan Cheese Dog Chew ticks all the boxes for me (and Toby). It’s made of just 3 dog-safe ingredients. It’s durable enough to last a while, but not fragile enough that he’ll finish it in two seconds. It’s also not hard enough to make me worry that it’ll wear down his teeth, even though he’s a somewhat aggressive chewer.

Tie Out Cable and Stake

I love bringing a stake and tie-out cable when I want to let my dog roam without having to be tethered to him. It’s the kind of thing that’s ideal for picnicking in a big open field or camping.

The Petbobi Dog Tie-Out Cable and Stake comes in several different lengths, ranging from 10 feet to 50 feet. The cable is made out of braided steel wire to ensure dogs stay secure, while the stake’s spiral design keeps it firmly in the ground. 

That said, my dog is 15 lbs. If you have a much bigger dog, I’d recommend trying it out somewhere safe to guarantee it can hold them first. Or consider the heavy-duty ROYAL-PAW Dog Tie Out Stake, which is ideal for stronger pups.

Long Leash

When traveling with your dog, you’ll probably want to visit spaces where they have a little more room to sniff and roam. A longer training leash will make this possible and keep you worry-free if they don’t have the best recall. 

I love the Hi Kiss Dog Training Leash because it’s great for recall training and building trust with your dog. It has a sturdy swivel snap bolt that attaches to a harness or collar, along with a comfortable strap for your hand. It also comes in multiple lengths (15-100 feet) and colors. I suggest choosing a brighter color if you order a longer line, so you can easily monitor your dog’s location.

Absorbent Microfiber Towel

Since I live in the Pacific Northwest, where it rains often, having a designated towel for my dog is a necessity. Regular towels can get dirty easily, hold onto smells, and stay wet forever. I’ve found microfiber towels do the best job at keeping him dry without the above effects. 

The Bone Dry Pet Grooming Towel is a great option. It’s super-absorbent, washable, and lightweight enough to stow in a bag without taking up a lot of space.

Another option I like to use if my dog gets very wet and needs extra time to dry is the Dog Bathrobe Towel Drying Coat. It’s also made of microfiber, and it straps onto your dog to soak up even more water. It’s a good option for very fluffy dogs. Also, they look adorable in it.

Travel Pet Carrier

If you’re flying with your dog, you’ll need to bring a pet carrier. There are a ton of options on the market, but not all of them are made equal. 

The Sherpa Original Deluxe Travel Pet Carrier is a solid contender, though. It comes in multiple sizes, so you can choose the one that best fits your airline’s requirements. The mesh sides make it well-ventilated and breathable. Its sturdy bottom and soft, washable liner keep it comfortable for your pet.

Travel Crate

You may want to bring a portable crate if you’re going on a multi-night trip and staying in a hotel or rental with your dog. They’re ideal for situations where you need to leave them alone for a short period of time, or if they’re not allowed on furniture. 

I have the Amazon Basics Portable, Foldable Dog Crate, and I love how easily it can be set up and broken down. It’s spacious enough for my pup to stretch out when he lies down, and the removable tray makes it simple to clean. 

However, before leaving your dog, always check the rules of your accommodation. Crated or not, you may not be able to leave your dog alone at all. Also, ensure your pup is crate-trained and comfortable in one. Otherwise, leaving them in the crate by themselves may be needlessly stressful.

Dog First Aid Kit

It’s a good idea to have a first aid kit on hand when traveling anywhere with your dog, but especially if you’re hiking, camping, or backpacking with them. 

The ARCA PET Dog First Aid Kit comes with everything you’d need in an emergency. It’s portable, has a water-resistant pouch, and includes items like eye wash, tweezers, gauze, bandages, and sting relief pads.

Calming Chews

Before my dog outgrew his motion sickness, car trips were awful. In a fit of desperation, I ordered some calming chews for him and was pleased with the results. 

The Ark Naturals Happy Traveler Calming Chews take about 20 minutes to work, but I did notice a difference during the rides when I gave them to him versus ones when I didn’t. I also love that they’re made with natural ingredients. And while the kindest thing I can say about the smell is that it’s offensive, that didn’t stop my dog from gobbling them up.

Just make sure to confirm with your vet that these are okay to give to your dog. You may want to discuss other options and even consider medication, depending on how severe your pup’s anxiety is.

More Thoughts on Traveling with Dogs

Traveling with a dog can be fun. Sure, it’s often overwhelming, time-consuming, and a bit of a pain in the beginning. But I’ve come out on the other side, and can honestly say I enjoy trips with my dog now. There are a few mindset shifts I’ve taken to get here, though.

The first is to remember that you need to plan the trip with you and your dog in mind.

It helps to remember why we travel with dogs in the first place: we want to spend as much time with them as we can while they’re still with us. No, you won’t get to do certain things you normally would when traveling without a dog, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything either.

Museums, bars, and fine dining may be off the table. But there are parks, hiking trails, and dog-friendly breweries and patios pretty much everywhere.

It’s also important to plan a trip according to your dog’s temperament. This will save you stress and make the trip go off seamlessly. Some dogs simply don’t have the temperament to travel. Other dogs can become good at travel, but require a lot more patience, training, and “practice runs” for things to go off without a hitch.

If you need to get in some practice runs, I suggest looking on Bring Fido to find dog-friendly restaurants, hotels, and Airbnbs near you. Also, travel closer to home first. You can branch off and do longer trips when you establish how well your dog can handle it. I’ve yet to fly with Toby, but it was a breeze with my late senior chihuahua.

Finally, and most importantly, don’t expect everything to go according to plan when traveling with your dog.

Try to keep a loose plan overall, and be open to changing those plans when things inevitably go a little haywire. From one dog parent to another – we’ve all been there. If things do take a turn for the worse, just try to shrug it off and appreciate the fact that, at the very least, now you’ll know what not to do next time.

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Traveling with a dog can be hard, but these items have made it much less stressful and way more rewarding for me. Anything I didn’t mention that you like to bring when traveling with your pup? Let me know in the comments.

Ready to start planning a trip with your dog? You may want to take a look at Jess’s list of the best dog-friendly places to stay in San Diego next!