A Travel-Friendly Bed
A familiar bed or blanket can make a huge difference in helping your dog settle into a new space. Look for something machine-washable, packable, and appropriately sized—not so bulky that it takes over your trunk space. According to Sleep Advisor's roundup of crate pads, rollable, lightweight mats are ideal for travel since they can be tossed in the wash after a muddy hike and packed flat for the ride home.
A Safe, Secure Crate or Seat Belt
If your dog travels in a crate, safety should be the top priority. Crash-testing for pet crates isn't standardized, but independent testing by the Center for Pet Safety has found that a small number of brands—including Gunner and Impact Dog Crates—perform well in crash scenarios. Off-Leash Rebels' guide to car travel crates recommends looking for built-in tie-down points and strong cross-ventilation, regardless of which brand you choose.
If a crate isn't practical for your setup, a crash-tested harness with a seatbelt tether is the next best option—and it's one more dog owners should take seriously. An unrestrained dog in a moving vehicle is a hazard to everyone in the car: in a sudden stop or collision, even a medium-sized dog becomes a high-speed projectile that can injure passengers and itself. Beyond crash risk, loose dogs can distract drivers, interfere with pedals, and bolt out of open doors at the scene of an accident.
Not all harnesses are created equal, though—many marketed as "safety" harnesses fail under real crash conditions. GoPetFriendly's guide to crash-tested dog harnesses walks through which harnesses have actually been independently tested and what to look for before you buy.
Durable Toys for the Road
New environments mean new excitement (and sometimes new anxiety), so bringing a few familiar toys can help your dog feel grounded. Chew-resistant options are especially useful for car rides, since a bored dog with a destructible toy and a long drive ahead is a recipe for a mess. Preventive Vet's vet-approved guide to dog chews and toys is a great resource for understanding which materials are safest for your dog's chewing style (and which popular options like antlers and bones are better left at home).
Practical Extras Worth Packing
A few often-overlooked essentials can make a big difference. The American Animal Hospital Association recommends compiling a dedicated travel kit for your dog that includes a spill-proof water bowl, waste bags, any regular medications, and a basic first-aid kit—all things that are easy to forget when you're focused on packing for yourself. A lightweight, packable crate can also help your dog settle into a new space more quickly, and seat covers or a hammock-style barrier are worth considering to protect your car on the way there and back.
Know Your Dog Before You Pack
The best travel gear is the gear that actually works for your dog. A dog who sleeps through car rides needs a different setup than one who spends every mile anxiously scanning out the window. A dog who's never used a crate at home probably won't settle into one on the road without some advance practice. Before you invest in a full kit, think through how your dog actually behaves in the car, in new spaces, and around unfamiliar people—and pack accordingly. A familiar blanket or worn t-shirt from home can do more to calm an anxious traveler than any gadget on the market, and it weighs almost nothing.
Looking for somewhere to stay that makes traveling with your dog even easier? Once you arrive at Barkwells, you can leave most of that gear in the car if you'd like—our fully furnished cabins come stocked with everything your dog needs for a comfortable stay, including dog beds, bowls, and fenced yards for safe, off-leash play. We also provide plenty of dog towels, dog sheets, and even have crates available to rent upon request! Whether you're a meticulous packer or you prefer to travel light, we've got you covered from the moment you arrive in the mountains.
