The holidays are here! I think everyone is looking forward to a little quality family time—while staying safe, of course. For all you pet owners out there, this guide is for you! As you make your way to mom’s house or plan your annual holiday trip, you have to consider what you’re going to do with your little fur friend!
With these five items, you’ll be set to hit the road and our pet will be completely content the whole way through. Everything in this guide is linked below! ⤵️
Traveling With Your Pet: What You Need
Okay, we’re not here to go over the basics with you. When traveling with your pet, you know you’ll need to pack a leash, food, supplements/medication (if needed), and, most importantly, a sturdy collar that has a name tag attached, (preferably your pet has an up-to-date microchip, too). When your pet is in a new environment, they could panic and run away, or get confused and lost, etc. That microchip could be the only shot you have at finding your pet!
We digress. Let’s get to the five items that you may not have thought of as “essential” but will most definitely make your ride much more smoothly.
Five Items for Holiday Traveling With Your Pet
1️⃣ SEAT COVER
Depending on the size of your animal will help determine what type of seat cover you should purchase, but the options are pretty endless on Amazon. Your dog deserves to ride comfortably and a seat cover will protect your car from getting damaged and dirty. Not to mention, all your pet’s hair will (hopefully) stay within the cover so, once you get to your destination, carefully remove the cover and your car will look as if you never even had a furry passenger!
2️⃣ TRAVEL WATER BOWL
You probably already have it on your list to bring the dog bowls, which is smart—for once you get to your destination. On the road, you’ll have a much more pleasant experience providing your dog with water if you have a water bowl that is designated for transport. Collapsible water bowls are great if you’re low on room, but a no-spill water bowl is really the way to go. We listed our two favorite options, both on Amazon, below!
3️⃣ DISPOSABLE WASTE BAGS AND BABY WIPES
You’re bound to stop a little more often while traveling with a pet. The worst thing that could happen is your dog getting antsy and having an accident in your car. 😬 Nobody wants that, so be patient—you’ll eventually get there! 😉 Disposable waste bags are necessary for pet travel. Have curiosity for other travelers by cleaning up your pet’s waste as you go!
These are our favorite disposable waste bags, specifically designed for pets in mind. They’re eco-friendly, leak-proof, and large so you can clean up the messiest of messes with ease! 👏🏻
Now, you’re probably wondering why baby wipes? Well, this is definitely an insider tip and keeps you prepared for any and all situations. You don’t want your pet to track dirt into the car after going to the bathroom. Perhaps you hit a little rain along the way or your pet gets a little nervous and accidentally steps in their own...well, you know. 💩 Baby wipes to the rescue! You can use these to wipe off your pet’s paws, as well as your hands after picking up their mess! These are our go-to wipes because they’re super gentle and eco-friendly, making them safe to use on animals.
4️⃣ CHEW TOYS
Duh! Chew toys will keep your pet entertained for quite some time. To prevent upset stomachs and messes, go with a durable chew toy that they can’t tear up or truly be eaten. The last thing you want is to fill your pup up on is treats and then, have them whimpering with stomach pains. 😟 We recommended the classic chew toy, the Kong! Safe, durable, and dogs love them!
5️⃣ A PET PLAYPEN
Depending on how much room you have in your ride, you may be better off to crate your pet so you can prevent them distracting you as you drive, or becoming anxious. Some animals do better in cages while driving than others—that’s the owner’s judgement, but regardless, if you use this playpen as a crate during travel, it will most definitely come in handy throughout your entire trip once you arrive!
The Pop ‘N Go Pets Playpen is a travel playpen for small to medium-sized animals. It can serve as a crate, playpen, or kennel. It weighs less than five pounds and easily pops up with a patented pop-up and down technology. This playpen won’t feel like a cage when traveling and your pet will love the soft construction of it unlike regular steel cages! Once you get to where you’re going, you can simply set up your dog’s playpen and introduce them to a familiar zone for hanging out or going to sleep. Shop the pet playpen collection here.
The Ultimate Pet Travel Guide
Simple items that will make your life SO much easier when you travel with your pet. Trust us, if you purchase all five of these items, you’ll ask yourself how in the world you ever traveled without them. Happy shopping, safe travels, and happy holidays!
