I can’t wait to see what adventures 2019 will bring for Ralph, Luna, and I. I’m already hoping that we can do a road trip or two. Maybe even rent an RV and drive across the country with the dogs in tow. It’s pretty crazy to think that there are still so many places right in the US that I haven’t even seen and I hope I can continue to share the experience of exploring with both Ralph & Luna.
If you aren’t a road trip veteran (or even if you are), it can be a bit overwhelming to think of everything you’ll need to try to cram into your car for your journey. Of course, where you’re going, how long you plan to be gone, and how often you plan to stop all play into what exactly you should bring. For a pet friendly road trip, there are several MUST haves that every pet parent should plan to bring. I’ll be sharing my top choices today.
Today is also the second to last day (Can you believe it’s almost over??) in the 2018 Stocking Stuffer Giveaways and we’re teaming up with one of our favorite pet travel brands, Sleepypod. They have so generously sponsored today’s prize and I can tell you it is definitely on our Must Have list!
Affiliate links are used in this post and I may receive a commission if you click and/or purchase from the link to help support this blog. Do not worry, these links do not affect the price of products.
Disclaimer: Sleepypod provided product free to review. I am being compensated to help spread the word about Sleepypod. I received no other compensation or additional benefits for mentioning the brands or products in this post. The opinions and ideas in this post are my own and are uninfluenced by any other person or business. Sleepypod is responsible for all giveaway prizes including shipping.
What To Bring on Pet Friendly Travel
Water
Depending on where you’re driving, there may be stretches without gas stations, grocery stores, or anywhere that you can get clean drinking water. You want to make sure you have enough for you and your dog! Don’t forget to also pack some portable bowls so that your dog can enjoy the water on the go. Our favorites are the Yummy Travel Bowls from Sleepypod. They also provide a food bowl option for your pup!
Crash-Tested Harness or Carrier
Depending on the size of your dog, you’ll want to have a crash-tested carrier or harness. For bigger dogs, check out the Sleepypod Clickit Sport which doubles as a crash-tested car harness and walking harness. For smaller pups, Sleepypod makes several different carriers that are perfect for the car including the Mobile Pet Bed and Sleepypod Air.
Food
Your dog will need (and probably want) to eat. It may not be easy to find their food on the go especially if you’re feeding a special diet, so be sure to bring enough along for your travels. You can also check out local pet stores and call ahead to see if they carry your dog’s brand. Don’t forget to also double check that they’ll be open especially if you’re traveling during the holidays as that can affect store hours.
Treats
I’m pretty sure Luna added this to the list, but you can’t go wrong by bringing along a bag or two of your dog’s favorite treats. No only can treats help ease any travel anxiety your dog may have, but they are also a great way to get and keep your dog’s attention if you need it.
Chews
I always pack a few chews especially if we’re traveling to see friends or family around any of the food focused holidays. Luna can be a little grumpy when everyone but her is enjoying something delicious. Chews can also be handy during your down time, at a hotel, or during a picnic lunch. I wouldn’t recommend giving them while you’re actually driving for safety reasons though.
Favorite Toy
Another way to keep your dog entertained is to bring along a favorite toy. If your dog loves to play outside and fetch, be sure to bring a ball or two. You never know when you’ll encounter a new dog park to play in and explore. Favorite toys can also help ease any anxiety as they are a reminder of familiarity and home.
Bed or Blanket
Packing your dog’s favorite bed or blanket is another way to bring a bit of home along for the ride. Having a familiar bed may help your dog relax and even sleep in a strange place. You can use them in the car and hotel room to give your dog a bit of extra comfort.
Extra Towel
You never know when messes might strike, so packing an extra towel for potential clean up is a great idea. We often put one on top of our seat cover in the car, so that way if an accident does happen it is a quick and easy clean up. We also pack a roll of paper towels and a few plastic bags to aid in any potential clean up.
First Aid Kit
Be sure to pack a First Aid Kit that has items for both you and your dog. A lot of the items overlap, but a few don’t. Want to learn more? Check out our post on necessary items for a First Aid Kit for both pets and people.
Doggy Suitcase
Since you’ll be bringing all these things for just your pup, you will definitely need a way to transport it all! A bag that makes it easy to bring everything in when you get to the hotel at night is a definite plus. We’ve recently started using the brand new Sleepypod Go Bag for this purpose. It may not fit any big items like your dog’s bed, but it’s great for holding all of the other necessities. Plus, it is made with the same high quality materials that all Sleepypod products are! Learn more about the Go Bag here.
About Sleepypod
Sleepypod is truly a leader in the pet travel industry. They make carriers for cars or planes, crash-tested harnesses, travel bags, portable bowls, and more. Every single thing I’ve ever tried from Sleepypod has been made with the highest quality materials and really feels and looks like it was created to last. One of my favorite aspects of Sleepypod is that they are constantly improving on the already amazing products they offer and innovating by coming out with new creative products to help make pet friendly traveling easier.
If you want to learn more about Sleepypod, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest! Don’t forget to check out the Sleepypod website too.
For even more tips on Holiday Travel with Pets, check out our post. Looking for information on Pet Friendly Road Trips? We have that too!
ONE lucky Beagles & Bargains reader will receive a Sleepypod Go Bag and Yummy Travel Bowls!
Residents of the United States are eligible to enter via the Rafflecopter below. Entries must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on Saturday, December 22, 2018. Winner will be notified via email within 48 hours of the giveaway closing and will have 48 hours to respond and claim their prize.
One (1) winner will receive one (1) Sleepypod Go Bag and one (1) Sleepypod Yummy Travel Bowl Set. The winner will be able to select the color pending availability. Estimated value is $119.98.
Don’t forget to check out our Holiday Guide!
And don’t miss any of the 10 Stocking Stuffer Giveaways!
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What’s the longest trip you’ve taken with your dog? Where would you LOVE to go?
Want to save these ideas for later? Save “Must Have Travel Items for Dogs” by pinning the image below on Pinterest!
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