Car trips with your dog: a simple checklist

A car trip with a dog goes one of two ways: a happy passenger with their head on the window edge, or a wet, anxious mess on your upholstery. The difference is mostly preparation. Here is the short version.

Before you leave

• Feed early. A light meal two to three hours before departure lowers the chance of car sickness.
• Walk first. Twenty minutes of exercise means a dog that sleeps instead of pacing.
• Practice short hops. If your dog is new to the car, do a few five-minute drives to the park before the long one.

Setting up the back seat

• Restraint. A harness clipped to a seat belt tether keeps your dog in the back seat and off your lap. Our Dog Car Seat Belt Tethers come as a two-pack and adjust in length. Clip them to a harness, never to a collar. A tether is a distraction and containment aid; it is not a crash-tested safety device.
• Something to lie on. A familiar blanket or bed makes an unfamiliar car feel like home and protects the seat.
• Airflow. Crack a window or run the fan. Dogs overheat faster than people. Never leave a dog in a parked car.

What to pack

• Water and a way to drink it. A bottle with a built-in trough, like our Travel Water Bottle (300 ml), means no bowl to spill. For a full day out, bring a refill.
• A towel. For muddy paws, wet coats and unplanned swims. A hooded drying towel doubles as a wrap for the ride home.
• Lint roller. For the seats afterwards.
• Leash, poop bags, a few treats, and any medication.

On the road

Stop every two hours for a stretch and a drink. Keep the same rest-stop routine each time: leash on before the door opens, walk, water, back in. Dogs relax when they know the pattern.

Everything above lives in the walking and travel collection.