pets – Just Get Outside!

Preparing for my big cross-country road trip this spring has made me think hard about the best buys to make road-trip life easier with a special needs dog. This post goes beyond my top 5 tips for road-tripping with a dog. Some of these finds have made a huge difference in keeping my dog comfortable on the road!

Just because I’m currently in limbo while waiting for Leer to replace my 122 cap for my Tacoma doesn’t mean I can’t think ahead and plan while I wait! Here are some essentials I’ve learned about over the years that I won’t make a packing list without.

1. A Collar that Shines So Bright You’ll Need Shades

Beatrix wearing a glow-in-the-dark dog collar at night, standing on a sidewalk with the collar glowing brightly

You can see this collar from space!

This is probably the best and most convenient dog-related product I’ve found on Amazon. I get comments about it literally every time I walk Beatrix through our neighborhood. This light up collar keeps her visible when the sun sets and is an absolutely necessary item for her safety. Whether we’re on neighborhood streets where cars might come around the corner, or out in the wilderness, I never go for an evening walk without this collar.

My neighbor also has a light up leash like this one but I haven’t tried it yet. Have you?

2. This Cooling Mat Keeps You Chill…I May Have Bought This For Beatrix, But I’m the One Using It

Because Beatrix is elderly and has special medical needs, her comfort is the most important thing to me when we travel. I never want her to get too cold or get overheated. After one trip last spring where the heat was a little uncomfortable (and I spent the night intermittently fanning her with a large Texas state park map), I decided I needed something that could keep her cool all night. I found this dog cooling mat and immediately took it on our next trip.

I learned the hard way that Beatrix prefers fluffy over cool…she likes to sniff the cooling mat and then curl up on her bed instead. But honestly? I’ve ended up using it myself on hot nights, so it’s still a win!

3. A Portable Crate, Just in Case!

Beatrix is usually cuddled up in bed somewhere, but I’ve learned it’s smart to have a portable crate just in case. Whether we’re at an Airbnb or around other pets, it’s nice to have a secure spot for her to relax. A portable crate like this one is super helpful and folds up easily, so it’s not taking up precious trunk space. Better to have it and not need it than the other way around!

4. A Fluffy, Fuzzy, Familiar Bed from Home

Beatrix curled up and napping on a plush, pink dog bed at home

Beatrix’s bed is nicer than my mattress, tbh

I bought Beatrix this super soft and plush dog bed last Christmas and honestly, I wish they made them in people size. She absolutely loves curling up in it and napping. When you’re in a new place with your pup, it helps to have some familiar comforts of home, so this bed is definitely joining us on our next road trip.

5. Sun Protection Needed!

I still haven’t figured out this problem yet. I’d find there were times during our road trip last year that Beatrix was really in the sun, despite having tinted windows. To keep it from beating down on her, I tried to rig up my folding sunshade into a little sun barrier for her, but it was a pretty sad setup.

Beatrix sitting in the front seat of the car with a poorly positioned sunshade, looking unimpressed

Beatrix judging my sunshade setup like, is this the best you could do!?

This year, I’m looking for some better options, like these roll down mesh sunshades or this static cling sunshade option. Have you found any sunshades that work for your pet? Let me know, I’m taking suggestions!

These essentials have made a big difference for me and Beatrix on the road. If you’ve found any dog travel gear you swear by, drop a comment below. I’d love to hear about it! (Bonus points if it helps with sun protection as I’m still figuring that one out!)

My first road trips with my dog Beatrix weren’t exactly smooth…her water spilled and she didn’t always have the comfiest spot to curl up in. I figured out what works, though, and and now road-tripping with her is easy! Recently, a loved one was preparing to embark on a road trip with their dog and asked me for some advice. I decided to compile my best tips for traveling with a dog here! Be sure to read to the end of the post for advice specific to traveling with a special needs dog like Beatrix, who requires twice daily medication.

(This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!)

1. Buckle Up, Pup! Keeping Your Dog Safe on the Road

It’s important to have your pup restrained when they’re riding in your vehicle. In the event of an accident, or even a situation where you have to unexpectedly slam on your brakes, you want to make sure your baby is as safe as possible! You wouldn’t drive without your seat belt, and neither should your pup.

Beatrix locked and loaded

There are a lot of different dog restraint options out there, but my favorite is the doggy seat belt. I use a seat belt like this one. It’s secured around the headrest in the front seat and attaches to her harness, making sure she stays in place no matter what.

There are other, more elaborate dog restraint systems like this where you can secure your pup in the backseat, but I think Beatrix does better when she’s up front with me. She likes the near-constant head scratches, and I like being able to keep an eye on her.

2. Riding in Style: Making Your Dog’s Trip Comfy & Cozy

Putting a soft blanket down on the seat can make your dog feel comfy and at home. It especially helps protect them from leather seats that get hot in the summer as well as protects your seats from dirty puppy paw prints.

If you’re planning on stopping at a rest area to have a snack and take a break, it’s also nice to provide a comfy spot for your dog to rest. I have an old yoga mat I cut into pieces for Beatrix to lay on. I also use this camping pad sometimes.

schnauzer lying on a blanket by a picnic table

Luxury road trip accommodations: Beatrix approved!

3. Hydration Station: Keeping Your Dog Cool and Refreshed

You want to be sure your dog stays hydrated during your trip. I have a collapsible bowl like this one that I toss on the floor of the front seat.

Avoid the temptation to leave water out while driving…it will spill. (Trust me, I’ve learned the hard way!)

It’s also helpful to keep a little bag of your dog’s favorite toys, treats, and poop bags right there in the front seat with you so you don’t have to dig for these things when you need them.

4. Pit Stops & Playtime: Planning Breaks for Both You and Your Dog

When I’m on a road trip, I try to keep both my needs and Beatrix’s in mind. We’ll both need to go to the bathroom and eat, I’ll need to fill the car up with gas, and she has to take her medication at specific times each day. It’s easier to try to make all these things happen at once rather than making multiple stops; that can make your trip feel like it’s lasting forever, in a bad way. Some gas stations like Love’s have a dog park area, which is helpful. I also like to find a place with a nice grassy area when I’m stopping for foods so I can walk her before I get my lunch.

schnauzer making a pit stop in the Colorado mountains

Beatrix finding the perfect poo spot in this picturesque landscape.

Now, while planned stops are great, some of the best memories also come from those, “let’s just see what’s over there” moments. Take the scenic route and, if your dog is anything like Beatrix, they will love the extra sniffing time! We stopped at some roadside places in Colorado that were a gorgeous backdrop for a bathroom break.

5. Medicine on the Move: Keeping Special Needs Dogs Safe & Healthy

This tip is for your special needs pups like Beatrix. She receives an insulin injection twice a day that needs to be refrigerated. I like to use this fridge powered by this Jackery battery.

portable fridge and jackery battery to power it

It also pays off to think practically about the environment you’re administering your dog’s medication in. I’ve given Beatrix countless roadside and rest stop injections because our drive happens to fall during the time she needs her meds. I bought these little silicon insulin bottle protectors that prevent the glass bottle from breaking if I happen to drop it. It would be a nightmare to lose your dog’s meds by the side of the road when you’re far from home.

I hope these tips help you are you’re preparing to venture out on the road with your dog! Got any road trip rituals or must-have dog travel gear? Did I miss anything? Drop your favorite tips in the comments…I’d love to hear them!

This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

Tag: pets

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