Traveling with your dogs is a whole lot of fun since you’ll be experiencing every step of the journey with your furred best friends. But if your dogs aren’t used to traveling long distances or riding in vehicles, they can get stressed and end up viewing the trip as an ordeal rather than as an enjoyable experience.
Fortunately, you can get dog accessories for your fur babies that are designed to keep them comfortable and safe during their travels. It’s a good idea to invest in some of the following dog travel accessories, particularly for the modes of transportation you use most often during your travels:
Traveling by Car
There is a certain kind of freedom you get when going on a road trip. When it’s just you and your dogs enjoying the open road, you feel almost unstoppable behind the wheel.
However, driving down the interstate for hours can make your dogs restless. They may start making a lot of ruckus in the backseat and either distract you while you’re driving or possibly even damage your vehicle’s interiors.
To prevent your dogs from bothering you or damaging your car while you drive, you can use these accessories to help keep things in order:
Car Harnesses or Seatbelts
Cars don’t come with seatbelts designed for dogs, so it’s a good idea to get a car harness or seatbelt for your furry buddy. These accessories are designed to secure your dog while you drive so that they won’t move around too much inside the vehicle. Dog car harnesses and seatbelts are also easy to use, so you won’t have any trouble setting them up.
Dog Seat Covers
Sometimes, dogs can end up licking or scratching your car seats when they’re bored or anxious. And if you have dogs that shed a lot, they can leave lots of their fur inside the vehicle.
That’s why investing in a high-quality dog seat cover is a must. Just secure this accessory on top of the backseat of your vehicle, and your seat is instantly protected from your dogs’ sharp nails, slobber, and shed fur. Seat covers also provide your fur babies with a softer surface to sit or lie down on, allowing them to feel more comfortable during the journey.
A Dog Ramp
Getting in and out of your car can be difficult for your pets, especially if you own a large vehicle like an SUV. This can be even more difficult for senior dogs to do, as they usually aren’t as mobile or agile as they were in their youth. Additionally, jumping onto or off of a car can put a lot of strain on a dog’s joints, especially if the car door is particularly high up off the ground.
While it’s an option to carry your pets to and from your car, it may not be practical or even possible to do so all the time. Instead, consider investing in a sturdy dog ramp that will allow your pets to walk into or out of your car without putting as much pressure on your dogs’ joints. Dog ramps are also quick to assemble and store, especially if you choose to use the foldable kind.
Traveling by Plane
Flying is the best way to travel between states and countries, but it can be tricky once you add pets to the picture. To help your dogs stay safe during your flight, you need to prepare the following things:
A Pet Carrier
If your dogs weigh 20 pounds or under, they can be placed inside the plane cabin. However, they aren’t allowed to sit on the floor or on your lap unless they’re an assistant or emotional support dog. More often than not, you’ll need to place each of your dogs inside an airplane-friendly pet carrier. This type of carrier isn’t only airline-approved, but it’s also designed to provide your dogs with ample protection and comfort during a long flight.
A Pet Crate
Bigger dogs must be placed inside a pet crate since they’ll be put in the aircraft’s cargo hold area. However, putting your pets inside a regular pet crate won’t do. You have to get each of your dogs a pet crate that’s compliant with the International Air Transport Association (IATA)’s requirements. It’s also a good idea to get each of your dogs a pet crate that’s large enough for them to move around comfortably. This way, they can stand up, turn around, and lie down without a problem.
Pet Pads
All airlines require you to bring pet pads or include one in your dogs’ crates. This ensures that your pets’ messes are properly contained.
Traveling by Train
Traveling via trains that allow pets onboard is a great way to explore the world with your fur baby. That said, a train ride can take hours or even days before you reach your destination. Given the long travel time, the ride can be uncomfortable for your dogs if you aren’t adequately prepared for your trip. Aside from finding out whether the railway requires your dogs to be kept in a pet crate or pet carrier during the train ride, you’ll want to pack the following dog accessories to help keep your dog calm and comfortable:
Collapsible Food and Water Bowls
Since you’ll be on the train for a long while, it’s likely that your pups will get hungry or thirsty while in transit. However, it’s not exactly practical to bring along bulky food and water bowls onto the train with you. To make mealtimes and water breaks easier to accomplish, make sure to pack some collapsible food and water bowls for your pets. Thanks to their simple yet ingenious design, you won’t have any problem taking them out and filling them up when it’s time for your pets to eat some food or drink some water.
Blankets or Cooling Pads
Depending on the climate of the locations your train will be traversing, it can get a bit warm or cold inside the train car. That’s why it’s a good idea to bring some blankets or pet cooling pads. With these items on hand, your dogs can stay comfortable no matter the weather.
When traveling with your dogs, it’s important to keep their well-being a top priority. And with this list, you can rest assured that your fur baby will be safe and comfortable whether you’re traveling by car, train, or plane. I hope you like reading on 8 Practical Dog Travel Accessories to Invest In.