20 cool and useful products for long car rides with your dog - from seat belts to backseat hammocks

Advertisement
20 cool and useful products for long car rides with your dog - from seat belts to backseat hammocks

4Knines Dog Seat Cover

Advertisement
  • One of the best things to do with our furry best friends is jump in the car and go for a drive.
  • But whether it's just for an hour or days on end, you should be prepared for anything that might happen on the road.
  • From doggy seat belts and first-aid kits to collapsible water bowls and toys, here are 20 items to stash in your doggy bag for long car rides.

For dog parents, driving around with their best friend's tongue hanging out the window and ears flopping in the wind is a dream. But even if you're just driving an hour to your favorite hiking spot or gearing up for a cross-country trip, it's best to be prepared.

Dogs are a lot like babies in a sense - since they can't tell us what's wrong, us (bigger) humans have to figure it out. You wouldn't leave your house without a diaper bag, so you shouldn't leave the house without your doggy bag either (and no, I'm not talking about leftovers).

From safety gear like a seat belt and first-aid kit on hand to basic items like a water bowl and toys to keep them occupied, your doggy bag for car rides can never be too full (okay, that one might apply to your take-home container).

Here are 20 things you'll need for car rides with your dog:

Subscribe to our newsletter.

Find all the best offers at our Coupons page.

Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Insider Picks team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our commerce partners. We frequently receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising sales team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at insiderpicks@businessinsider.com.

Advertisement

{{}}

A doggy bag to hold supplies

A doggy bag to hold supplies
Top Dog Travel Bag, $39.99, available on Amazon

Keep everything organized in this doggy travel bag with zippered main compartment, front pocket with magnetic closure, side pockets for water bottles and storage, and even a laptop sleeve. It also comes with two collapsible bowls and two 15-cup food storage containers.

A safety harness and seat belt

A safety harness and seat belt
PAWABOO Dog Safety Vest Harness (4 sizes, 12 colors), $10.59, available on Amazon

This adjustable strap and safety harness can be attached to most standard car seat belts to ensure your dog stays safe should an accident occur. If your dog tends to be overly wiggly, this dog seat belt can also help keep them in the back seat rather than behind the wheel.

Advertisement

A water bottle designed for dogs

A water bottle designed for dogs
lesotc Pet Water Bottle (2 colors), $14.97, available on Amazon

If you're going on a shorter ride or taking a walk during rest stops, this portable 18-oz water bottle converts into a bowl so your dog stays hydrated — just tilt the bottle until water collects into the large spout.

An interactive toy to keep them occupied

An interactive toy to keep them occupied
Outward Hound Interactive Puzzle Toy (3 sizes), $7.99, available on Amazon

Not only will having a toy help keep your dog occupied during long drives, but this one is actually a puzzle to keep their minds engaged as well. You can hide the squirrels (which squeak!) inside the tree trunk and let your pup try to nuzzle or paw them out.

Advertisement

A pack of grooming wipes to keep them and your car clean

A pack of grooming wipes to keep them and your car clean
Earthbath All Natural Grooming Wipes, $13.99, available at Walmart

These hypoallergenic wipes are a quick and easy way to freshen up your dog's paws and belly after a much-needed bathroom break during long rides.

A first-aid kit for dogs

A first-aid kit for dogs
RC Pet Products Pet First Aid Kit, $30.22, available on Amazon

This first-aid kit has all of the necessary supplies like gauze, bandages, gloves, and more. Plus, it comes with a helpful manual that contains instructions on how to care for your injured pet (knock on wood) until you can get to a vet.

Advertisement

A cover to protect your seats

A cover to protect your seats
4Knines Dog Seat Cover (2 sizes, 3 colors), $59.99, available on Amazon

You want your dog to be comfortable, but you also want to keep your car seats looking and smelling fresh. This hammock allows them to roam the backseat without leaving a hairy mess behind or scratching up the leather.

A retractable leash for privacy at rest stops

A retractable leash for privacy at rest stops
TUG Heavy Duty Retractable Dog Leash (3 sizes, 3 colors), $19.99, available on Amazon

When it's time to take a bathroom break, you'll need a heavy-duty retractable 16-foot leash that gives them privacy to do their thing, and plenty of room to stretch their legs and run around a little bit too.

Advertisement

A roll of waste bags

A roll of waste bags
Earth Rated Dog Waste Bags, $6.99, available at Walmart

Tarō Gomi said it best in his children's book, "Everyone Poops," — so does your dog. These waste bags are leak-proof, thick, and easy to use when nature calls.

A tag for your dog's information

A tag for your dog's information
GoTags Personalized Stainless Steel ID Tag (2 sizes), $7.95, available on Chewy

If your dog doesn't already have an ID tag, getting one is quick and inexpensive. It's important that their name and your contact information is clearly displayed should your dog accidentally get lost.

Advertisement

A foldable bowl for dry food

A foldable bowl for dry food
Outward Hound Port-A-Bowl Pet Bowl, $3.30, available on Chewy

This foldable, smush-able dog bowl can be stored in something as small as your pocket until it's dinner time. The nylon material makes it both food- and water-friendly.

A collapsible water bowl

 A collapsible water bowl
Dexas Collapsible Travel Cup with Carabiner, $9.99, available at Petco

This silicone travel bowl is a compact and easy-to-clean option for long car rides. It even comes with a carabiner clip so you can attach it to your leash, doggy bag, or car.

Advertisement

A pet ramp so they can easily get in and out of the car

A pet ramp so they can easily get in and out of the car
PetSafe Solvit UltraLite Bi-Fold Pet Ramp, $69.95, available on Amazon

A ramp can make it easier for your dog to get in and out of the car. This is an especially helpful item to have if your dog is in their senior years.

A relaxing treat if they're nervous travelers

A relaxing treat if they're nervous travelers
Zesty Paws Stress & Anxiety Calming Bites, $29.97, available at Walmart

Some dogs aren't the best travelers and tend to get nervous on long car rides. Zesty Paws offers turkey-flavored chews with ingredients like chamomile to help calm them down. With anything that's edible, you should consult your veterinarian before use.

Advertisement

A stress-relieving shirt

A stress-relieving shirt
ThunderShirt Anxiety & Calming Aid (7 sizes), $44.95, available on Chewy

If you'd prefer not to use anything that can be ingested, a ThunderShirt can have some success in calming your dog. Think of this as a weighted blanket for your dog.

A bag of charcoal to help eliminate odors

A bag of charcoal to help eliminate odors
Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag, $9.85, available on Chewy

Having your dog in the car for long periods of time can result in their scent sticking around in the upholstery. These bags of activated charcoal can help purify the air by removing odors that may be left behind.

Advertisement

A pet stain remover to clean up small accidents

A pet stain remover to clean up small accidents
Nature's Miracle Advanced Dog Stain & Odor Remover Spray, $12.99, available at Petco

Accidents happen, but it's good to have a stain remover on hand to quickly clean your seats or car floor. This formula also has an odor eliminator which works to remove your pets scent to discourage another accident.

A four-point harness

A four-point harness
Kurgo Gray & Blue Journey Dog Harness (3 sizes), $43.99, available at Petco

A four-point harness that wraps around your dog's body is a safer way to keep your pup on a leash, instead of the traditional neck collar. The chest and spine are far less fragile than the neck, and a harness can help protect your dog too. This one has a no-pull ring at the chest and a strap on the back in case you need to lift your pup.

Advertisement

A card that lists your dog's medical info

A card that lists your dog's medical info
Emergency Medical Information ID Card, $9.95, available on Amazon

Should there be an emergency, it's important for first responders to know your dog's medical information. They can't speak for themselves, so keeping a card that lists allergies, previous conditions, handling likes/dislikes, and more can help immensely should an emergency arise.

A blanket to keep them remind them of home

A blanket to keep them remind them of home
PetFusion Premium Pet Blanket (4 sizes), $29.95, available at Petco

Keep your dog as comfortable as possible with this plush blanket. Plus, if they're nervous travelers, having familiar scents lingering on the blanket can help calm them down.

Advertisement