Join us on an adventure around the world; travel throughout the US and abroad by cruise, plane, and train and take the vacations you've always dreamed about.
Cosmo is ready and waiting for his next road trip with some new gear from this list.
Pets are part of the family, and a vacation is always better when your furry friends can come along. As the parents of four pets ourselves, we are very familiar with the joys, and the challenges, of travelling with pets. We have flown with our cats Jax and Cocoa, and taken road trips with the cats as well as our pit bull, Cosmo, and even our iguana, Coqui. Every trip we always learn at least one lesson to better prepare us for the next trip.
Pet parents often think about finding pet friendly hotels, scheduling regular potty breaks, and taking some gram worthy pooch pics, but what else should you have on hand when travelling with a pet? We've curated our list of travel accessories that are perfect for families travelling with pets.
This set of two portable bowls is perfect for the traveling pet owner. Made out of durable silicone, these are easy to clean and are non-porous to avoid absorbing smells and bacteria. They can be easily collapsed to take up less space when not in use. The attached climbing buckle makes carrying them while traveling extra convenient. Whether camping, hiking, in the car, or on a plane, these bowls are convenient and out of the way until they are needed. Available in a variety of colors, so there's an option for every pet's style.
We always remember to bring water bottles when out hiking, but what about a water bottle for your furry friends? This reusable water bottle comes with a drinking bowl attached so your favorite four legged hiking companion can drink right from the bottle. A button allows water to travel between the bottle and bowl, so there's no wasting water that isn't used. Now available in a larger 19 ounce size for even the thirstiest of canines.
Let's face it, as much as we love our dogs they can be a mess making machine. Whether you're out at the beach, on a hike, or just walking around the pet area of a roadside rest area, there's a good chance that you will end up with dirty paw prints all over your car. At least that was the case before you found this amazing travel gadget! Available in three sizes and six colors for any breed of dog; just add a little water, insert your fur baby's paw, and let the gentle silicone bristles wash away sand, dirt, and mud. It's a practical pedicure for your puppy!
This soft sided pet carrier is designed to meet all of the requirements to be taken on board a plane. Complete with mesh windows for ventilation and curious critters, and also roll down flaps to give your travel companion some privacy. This carrier features both top and side entry, so you can use whichever method works best for your particular pet. We bought two of these when moving to Alaska, and they worked wonders. Not traveling by plane? No worries! These carriers are great for car trips and vet appointments as well. When done traveling, the faux lambskin liner is machine washable, and the carrier folds flat for easier storage.
Seatbelts save lives, and that goes for both the human and animal riders in the car. This modified leash is able to be inserted into a standard car seat belt latch and will keep your pet safely secured. Not only will this stop your beloved furry family member from being thrown from the vehicle in the event of a crash, it also helps to keep them safely in the backseat. No more worrying about jumping out of an open window, escaping when you open the door, or coming up to sit on the driver's lap. The length of this leash can be adjusted, so no matter the size of your car or your pet, you can have the correct length. For safety, make sure to pair this with a harness.
Microchips are a great way to be reunited with a lost pet, but they only work if your pet is found and taken to a shelter or vet. With this GPS tracker attached to your pet's collar, you will be able to monitor their location in real time and find them before they get hurt. The tracker works throughout the USA, Canada, and over 150 other countries, and is even waterproof. While it does require a subscription plan, the peace of mind this tracker can bring whether you are at home or far away is priceless.
Travel can be very stressful on our pets. There is the uncertainty, all the new and unfamiliar locations, and the potential for separation anxiety. While vets can offer medications, many pet parents prefer to keep their pets drug free, and that's where ThunderShirt comes in. ThunderShirt is the original and best known anti-anxiety jacket for dogs. Great for calming down pets during fireworks, travel, and separation, the ThunderShirt is easy to use and requires no special training or medication. Available in a wide variety of sizes, so no matter which breed of fur baby you are traveling with, you can find a ThunderShirt that fits.
Scratch-proof, waterproof, and luxuriously comfortable, this seat cover will protect your car while keeping your pets riding in comfort. Car seat covers also stop your dog from slipping down off the seat, or getting a paw stuck in the seat belt fastener gaps. This particular model keeps access to the seatbelts available under a cover, so kids and pets can share the backseat safely. It is also easy to install and remove, and folds up compact for easy storage when not in use. You can also convert it quickly to either a dog hammock between the rows of seats, or as a truck cargo liner for dogs who ride in the back.
If you have a small or senior dog, or a particularly tall truck or SUV, it can be a challenge for your pets to get in and out of the car safely. These stairs fold up for compact storage, and can be quickly deployed to give your pet a quick and safe way in and out of the vehicle. These stairs are anti-slip and rated to hold up to 200 pounds, so even the biggest, floofiest good boys can use them safely. And since they are portable and only 10 pounds, you can also bring them inside to help your dog climb into tall beds or chairs.
If you are traveling with a small dog or cat, this backpack is perfect to carry them with you wherever you go. Perfect for hiking when small paws may get tired or narrow scrambles where a pet cannot safely travel. Complete with several ventilated windows to keep your pet secure while letting them see everything around, and a comfortable sherpa lined bedding for when they are ready to nap. This backpack is also available in a dozen different colors, and has a number of pouches and pockets perfect for storing the other pet travel essentials you have stocked up on.
Crates are great tools for any pet owner, but typical crates can be bulky and difficult to travel with. Crates provide a safe space to help relieve anxiety and also help to keep pets contained in unfamiliar places, such as in hotel rooms. Housekeeping may not enter a room with a pet loose, or your pet may escape when they open the door. This travel crate has a steel frame to keep it sturdy and safe for your pet, while also being soft sided for comfort and portability.
Dry food is particularly convenient when traveling with pets, but the bags can be unwieldy and run the risk of spilling. Especially if you are staying in hotels, carrying food between the car and room can be extremely challenging. When we drove up to Alaska with our dog Cosmo we stored pre-measured servings of kibble in individual sandwich baggies, which was quite time consuming and wasteful. Instead, why not get a special container designed just for storing pet food and keeping it fresh? This version holds up to 15 pounds of dry food, and is airtight to keep it from getting stale or attracting bugs. It also won't spill all over your car, and is convenient to bring in and out of hotels. Need more than 15 pounds of food? We've seen containers that can hold over 40 pounds!
Pet owners are no strangers to dealing with pet hair, but when traveling it isn't always convenient to stop and clean. Lint rollers are popular, but they create a lot of trash, and can lose their stickiness as they sit out. Instead, why not get this reusable, self-contained hair remover? Perfect for clothes and furniture, this small investment can save you hundreds on cleaning fees for rental cars and hotels, as well as keeping your clothes clean and hair free. Captured hair is contained inside the unit and easy to remove, and then just a quick wipe with a damp cloth and it's good as new. No more peeling off sticky tape from traditional rollers.
Unfortunately for pet owners not all hotels are located in walkable areas or with grass available. Especially in large cities or in the winter when there may be snow and ice, going out on walks may be difficult. This three layer dog potty pad comes with a tray, washable pee pad, and special artificial grass topper to be familiar and comfortable for your dog. Even though it comes with a washable pad, I recommend getting some disposable pee pads to make cleaning up while traveling even easier.
Our feline friends can't be forgotten. While many people think that being litter trained will make cats easier to travel with, most litter boxes will spill if you try to travel with them. Short of filling and emptying your litter box every night, which will lead to a lot of wasted litter, what's a cat person to do? This portable litter box is the perfect solution. Easy to clean and with a zippable lid and carrying handle, this box is portable, leak proof, and able to contain any odors. When empty it can fold down to the size of a wallet, and can even double as a cat bed or storage container when not full of litter.
Traveling involves a lot of new experiences and locations, and can be very stressful on pets who don't fully understand what's happening. Calming sprays can work wonders for reducing stress and anxiety in pets, and have the added benefit of being drug free and easy to use. Simply spray these calming pheromones in the area your pets will be, and watch them get and stay calm. Spray the car, hotel room, carrier, or crate and within 15 minutes stress will start to fade and the effects last up to 6 hours.
Another option to help calm the stress of travel for pets are these chewable calming bites. Made with all natural ingredients and available in a variety of pooch-approved flavors, these soft chews support calmness, composure, and relaxation. Give a treat in the car, in the hotel, and anytime you may be separated from the pet to relieve stress and keep the trip going smooth.
Unfortunately accidents can happen, and while traveling you may not be able to get to a veterinarian quickly. This Emergency First Aid kit is made for your pets and has items specifically tailored to quickly and safely treat your fur baby. The kit contains 45 pieces, including animal safe styptic powder to stop bleeding, a veterinarian splint, and anti-chewing bitterant spray. It also comes with a first aid information booklet, to make sure you know what you're doing if an emergency should happen.
Whether you are camping or staying in hotels, your furry friends deserve a comfortable bed, and this portable bed is the perfect option. Roll it up and pack it tight in the included travel bag, and then quickly unroll it and lay it out when it's time to rest. The bed is machine washable, large enough for dogs up to 80 pounds, and has two mattress fabric options, depending on your pet's preference.
People aren't the only ones who can get sunburned, but traditional sunscreen is not meant for dogs. This all natural, USA made dog sunscreen contains no zinc oxide and is safe for all dog breeds. It also contains shea butter and coconut oil to keep the coat moisturized, and is safe for use from head to toe.
Keep your pooch safe in the water with these flotation vests designed specifically for pets. Available in multiple colors and both shark and mermaid designs, your pup can swim in safety and style. Available in a wide variety of sizes to safely fit any pooch, the vest also has a durable handle at the top of the vest to make it easier for you to pull your dog out of the water, especially in pools where they may not be able to easily get out on their own.
Would you buy it?
So, what did you think? Have any of our picks been added to your shopping list for your next pet inclusive vacation? Do you already use any of the items we picked out when travelling with pets? Cosmo would love to hear about your experiences or other travel accessories you can recommend for his next road trip with us.
