Vacay Ready: The dog-mom-approved travel checklist

Are you dying for a vacation? Us too! Of course, no getaway is complete without your faithful hound by your side. So, when packing your suitcases, don’t forget these top ten essentials for your canine copilot. 

Packing for a vacation can be stressful, especially if it is a self-catering holiday. Whether you decide to venture off to the mountains and hide away in a log-cabin or enjoy a few days on the coast packing suitcases is time consuming and draining. If you feel that you are drowning in lists, don’t panic. We’ve got your back. Traveling with your four-legged friend is a fun and rewarding experience that is not worth getting stressed about. To take the headache out of vacation packing, we have put together a list of the top ten essential, dog-mom approved items to get you and your pup vacay ready. 

Fur-baby travel essentials for the car

Fill the car up! It’s time for a road trip. As we know, not all dogs travel well in cars. Some relish the responsibility of being a canine copilot while others cannot wait for the ride to be over. To make sure that the journey is enjoyable for all and that your sanity doesn’t suffer along the way, be sure to pack the following lifesaving items for the car. 

Dog crate

Your pup’s home away from home is a must for car journeys, especially long distance ones. Not only will a stylish dog crate help your fur baby feel settled and safe it will also stop them bouncing around. Because, musical chairs should only be reserved for puppy pawties. Look for one that can easily be folded down for easy packing.

Multipurpose wet wipes

Name us one item that works harder and faster than a multipurpose wet wipe! Nope, we couldn’t either. These are a lifesaver for all pawrents and parents across the world. If you don’t have dozens of packets in every corner of your home, do so now. They are ideal for cleaning up life’s little accidents, removing tough stains and quickly removing hairs off every surface. 

Their favorite chew toy

Bored or nervous dogs will do anything to share their unhappiness with you. This can even mean practicing their sculpting skills on the car seats. If you don’t want your seats gnawed to death, bring your pups favorite chew toy along for the ride. It will help them feel relaxed and at home while providing them with a damage free boredom buster. 

Pawsome products to pack for exploring the new neighborhood

Congratulations! You made it to your destination mess free and with your sanity intact. But before you celebrate your pup pawrenting skills and go exploring, make your dog feel welcome in their new environment with these key essentials.

A GPS

When patrolling the park in a new area your pup will confront a whole world of new and interesting things to tempt them into trouble. Attaching a GPS to your dog’s collar gives you that extra peace of mind when it comes to letting your dog off the leash in a new dog park. If they get spooked and bolt, you can easily track their whereabouts with the click of a button. Bonus points if your dog has an I.D tag attached to their collar too.

Travel bowl and water

Come rain or shine, a bottle of water is a must-have item in any pet pawrent’s daypack. Yet, something that is often overlooked is a travel bowl. For fussy Fidos who won’t drink on the go, a travel bowl is an ideal way to remind them of the comforts of home. Most bowls are lightweight and small enough to fit inside a tote bag so there is no excuses about staying hydrated.

A tennis ball

If you ever want to feel popular, just stand in the middle of a dog park with a tennis ball in your hand. Chances are, you will have all the dogs clambering over each other eager to get their slobbery jaws on to it. If you want to socialise your dog while on the road and make friends with other dog pawrents, a tennis ball is a great ice breaker. Your dog will love burning off nervous energy chasing after it and when other fur babies join in the fun, you can’t help but strike up a conversation with their owners. 

Mealtime essentials for mutts on the go

There is nothing like a tasty bowl of food after a long day exploring. Make mealtimes on the road a special and familiar experience for your fur baby with the following items. 

A wipe-clean feeding mat

Let’s face it. Mealtimes are messy. You thought you adopted a dog, but as soon as the food bowls are full, this four legged critter turns into an interior decorator with a penchant for decorating walls with splatters a la Jackson Pollack. To help contain the mess, and save the floors of your rental, place a silicon floor mat under your dog’s bowls and use the saved cleaning time to pamper your pooch. 

Peanut Butter

You either love it or you hate it but if you ask your dog, the chances are they love it. If you have a picky eater on your hands, peanut butter is an easy to transport trick to get your pup to eat. Check to see if it is xylitol-free then mix a generous spoonful with their kibble to get their appetite going. 

Snuffle Mat

Make feeding time fun and help your fur baby forget about being on the road with a snuffle mat. Hike kibble and treats in the endless layers and let your dog go digging for treasure. And, as your pup will be so engrossed in finding their food, you will be able to enjoy five minutes of undisturbed downtime. It’s a win-win.