Traveling with a Pet? Dog Grass Pads & 8 Other Essentials to Pack

Current pet trends encourage individuals to bring their four-legged friends along for the ride, mainly due to the growing number of accommodations—hotels, resorts, and spas—adopting more relaxed regulations to welcome pets within their premises.

If you’re a pet parent who used to deal with the difficult decision of leaving your dog behind and spending the entirety of your vacation feeling worried and eager to return home to them, this is actually good news.

However, the trickiest part of traveling with pets comes after you have decided to tag them along. Whether your idea of a good time is staying at a posh Airbnb, embarking on a cross-country road trip, or making smores while camping, dogs need food, water, and access to a toilet, just like the rest of us.

Pet Travel Checklist: Here's What to Pack for Your Dog

Regardless of your destination, there are a few pet travel essentials you should not leave without to make your trip less ruff. Keep this pet essentials packing list handy when packing for your next travel:

• Documents
• Pet ID tags
• Dog car seats and pet restraints
• Dog grass pad with a tray
• Disposable diapers, waste bags, and other hygiene essentials
• Food, water, and treats
• Collapsible food and water bowls
• Vitamins, medications, and first-aid kit
• Home comforts—blankets, toys, and bed

Pet Travel Essentials to Pack For Your Dog

First things first: Before packing your dog's travel bag, make sure that you are headed to a pet-friendly destination. Hotels, resorts, and even camping sites may have different pet policies, and the last thing you'd want is to arrive for a weekend getaway only to discover your dog isn't welcome. Once you get that sorted, it's time to start packing!

Documents

While documents may not be mandatory for interstate travel, it's advisable to have them, especially when traveling internationally.

Some countries may require medical certificates and proof of updated vaccinations, particularly for rabies. Regulations on vaccinations and quarantines vary by country, so make sure to do your research. Additionally, you might want to include a photo of your dog in the documents, just in case they go missing.

Pet ID Tags

Your dog should wear a secure collar with a visible tag at all times for easier and more accurate identification in case they get lost. For additional precaution, you can include your contact details on the tag, such as name and phone number. This becomes particularly essential in locations where pets without collars are identified as strays and taken to shelters.

Dog Car Seats and Pet Restraints

Whether your dog prefers a crate or a carrier or feels more secure in a dog car seat or with a crash-tested harness, you should have the right gear to restrain your pet while traveling in a car. Regardless of your preference, ensuring your pet's safety and comfort throughout the journey remains a top priority.

A harness also proves useful when exploring unfamiliar places where sensory overload and distractions abound—vehicles, scents, and new people. Using a harness keeps your dog in check during walks, making the experience more enjoyable and less stressful for you and your furry companion.

Dog Grass Pad with a Tray

Nothing ruins a trip faster than needing a bathroom break on a highway with no stops in sight. Picture your dog in the same situation—leashed or confined in a crate, without the familiar surroundings they associate with going potty. In such cases, a Gotta Go Grass pee pad for dogs becomes a travel essential, offering a convenient and hygienic solution for your pet's bathroom needs.

A grass pee pad with a tray is particularly useful for long-haul journeys with limited outdoor access or when traveling with older dogs. Because it uses a fresh patch of grass with natural odor and moisture-absorbing benefits, it facilitates easy cleaning—simply dispose of the waste after your dog finishes with little to no maintenance needed on the entire unit.

Disposable Diapers, Waste Bags & Other Hygiene Essentials

Besides grass packs, it's wise to include some hygiene items in your carry-on. Toss in waste bags, extra disposable diapers, and an enzyme cleaning solution—one can never be too prepared for accidents. Disposable diapers are particularly handy for puppies and senior dogs.

If you're staying in rental accommodations, having a few dog cleaning supplies ensures you leave the place as pristine as you found it. A pet stain and odor remover and a pet hair remover will help erase any traces of your furry companion as you leave.

READ: How to Clean Pet Urine from Dog Potty Grass with Tray

Food, Water, and Treats

Bringing your dog's favorite food on your trip ensures you can stick to their meal routine and avoid spending your vacation looking for food that your dog will actually eat.

Pack easy-to-serve dry dog food in spill-proof packaging. Add water to hydrate them so they are easier to digest. Weigh how much food you will need daily to prevent meal shortages mid-trip. Although, it will not hurt to pack a little extra. Most importantly, don't forget to pack their favorite treats and enough water to keep them hydrated throughout your vacation.

Collapsible Food and Water Bowls

Compact and easy-to-clean collapsible bowls are a lifesaver. They pack small enough to fit into your travel bag, ensuring you have them readily available to keep your dog well-fed and hydrated throughout the day.

Bring two bowls—one for meals and the other for water. Consider bringing a dog water dispenser bottle as well, which you should refill every time you go out for the day so you don't worry about running out of clean drinking water. Collapsible food and water bowls

Vitamins, Medications, and First-Aid Kit

Remember to pack your dog's routine supplements and prescribed medications for a trip; these are essential to ensure their well-being, especially while away from home. Consider bringing extra doses to account for any unexpected extensions to your vacation.

Additionally, ensure you have a well-stocked first aid kit to take extra precautions and protect your dog from injuries and potential medical emergencies while traveling. At a minimum, include essentials like gauze, bandages, adhesive tape, cotton balls, and wound cleansers. Consider packing any prescribed medicines from your vet, especially those for allergies or fevers.

Home Comforts—Blankets, Toys, and Bed

Amidst the thrill of travel, pack essentials to keep your dog comfortable and relaxed. Remember to bring their blankets and favorite toys so you can create a cozy spot for them to nap and provide entertainment to stave off boredom. Pack at least two to three of their cherished toys.

A machine-washable, quick-dry travel bed on your pet travel essentials checklist would be nice, too. Opt for one that folds small enough to fit in your carry-on luggage. These thoughtful additions can contribute significantly to your dog's well-being and fun during travel.

Final Thoughts

Traveling with your dog can make the trip all the more fun and worthwhile. Now that you know all the pet travel essentials to pack, be free to explore new destinations without worrying too much about the uncertainties.

Feel free to build upon this checklist so you can customize it to your specific needs and according to your comfort level. You can categorize your pet products, travel accessories, and supplies into hygiene, safety, and entertainment essentials so you can cover all aspects of your pet's well-being during the trip.

If you're looking for a portable bathroom solution for your dog, check out our website for our fresh grass pads for dogs.

Did we forget anything on the list? Let us know by leaving a comment.