Sometimes, though, travels and adventures can be stressful if you don't have the right gear - which is why Take a Break Pets has the ultimate guide to the best dog travel accessories. After all, there's nothing better than setting off on a new adventure, especially when you get to bring your favourite little friend along. When it comes to pets, you'll want some secure travel dog beds, carriers and a whole lot of treats to make the travel as fun as can be.
Whether you're heading to see friends and family, moving house or just going on a long journey, perhaps for a UK dog-friendly staycation, with your pet in the back, there are plenty of products to grab that can make your lives easier. On flights, in cars or even on bikes, you'll be riding off into the sunset in no time. So, make sure to grab any necessities like water, travel bowls, blankets and treats.
Best dog travel accessories at a glance:
• Best pet booster seat for cars: Heather Booster Seat – View on Amazon UK
• Best dog guard for cars: Mesh Dog Guard – View on Argos
• Best pet car ramp for travelling: Easipet Pet Ramp – View on Amazon UK
Remember: keep it the same or as similar to their usual routine, including their favourite things to snooze on and with - they'll feel much more comfortable with their ordinary things! However, if you're struggling to keep your animal calm on a long journey, you can grab pet-safe calming products, that are used to de-stress and take away any nerves they may have. Sometimes, dog cages for cars are ideal for keeping your hound secure and comfortable on the road.
Summer is here... and you're probably itching to get away for a few days to a dog-friendly holiday park or hotel. Well - to help, we're here to give you the low-down on the best dog travel accessories for your excitable pup. After all, keeping them safe and happy should be a big priority. This way, you can all relax and have a fun trip.
Best dog travel accessories
Best pet booster seat for cars
The Kurgo Heather Dog Booster Seat lets your dog enjoy the sights from an elevated position in your car, allowing them to comfortably look out the window while riding alongside you. It's designed with a waterproof exterior and a cosy fleece lining to make it both practical and comfortable, plus an adjustable seat belt is included to secure your dog's harness.
Users have highlighted the seat's durability and robust design, thanks to its metal supports. They also found it simple to install. However, note that the seat supports up to 13kg, making it ideal only for smaller dogs.
Pros
- Both practical and comfortable
- CAdjustable seat belt tether easily attaches to all dog harnesses
Cons
- Only holds up to 13kg so not designed for larger dogs
Best dog guard for cars
www.argos.co.uk
Protect your car with this dog guard, which will stop your dogs and animals from jumping into the back seat when driving. This Mesh Dog Guard from Argos keeps them safe in the boot and stops any accidents you might not want. It has a universal to fit most cars and small vans with a width range of 106cm - 145cm.
It comes recommended by 89 per cent of customers, with them valuing this guard for having a sturdy and secure design and being great value. Opinions are mixed on how easy it is to fit, with some reviewers commenting it was a struggle and the instructions were difficult to understand and others having no trouble at all.
Pros
- Sturdy and secure design
- Good value dog guard
Cons
- Instructions are a little misleading
Best pet car ramp for travelling
Don't let your doggy struggle with getting into the car, thanks to this Easipet Pet Ramp that's easily stored up in your car by folding away. It has a non-slip backing to ensure it doesn't move while your pup walks up it and as it weighs just 4.5kg, it's fairly lightweight to manoeuvre too.
This ramp is designed to just make your life slightly easier when loading up your car and supports your dog a little bit more. Customers like that it's made of quality materials and that it folds up for ease of transportation but some reviews feel like it takes up a lot of room in the boot when not in use.
Pros
- Lightweight weighing just 4.5kg
- Non-slip backing to make it more secure
Cons
- Some customers feel like it takes up a lot of room when not in use
Best pet cooling mat for travel
www.diy.com
In the summertime, it can get super hot when travelling in the car or going on daytime adventures and long walks with your hound. Make sure your pooch stays cool with this All For Paws Chill Out Fresh Breeze Mat. This springy plastic noodle mattress promotes air circulation, ensuring a comfortable and refreshing resting spot for your pet.
Although its light color may show dirt from your dog jumping in and out of the boot, the mat comes with a removable, machine-washable cover secured by a zipper. This feature allows you to easily keep the mat looking clean and fresh.
Pros
- Keep air flowing under your dog to keep them cool
- Removable zip-fastened cover which is machine washable in cold water
Cons
- Light colour may mean it needs washing more frequently as it could get dirtier more quickly
Best dog anti-anxiety coat
If your little furry bestie struggles with nerves or anxiety - especially when travelling - then this Thundershirt Anxiety Coat could be your next buy. It's designed to imitate a hug by applying gentle pressure and it has an immediate relaxing effect. You can also use this during storms and separation, all you need to do is wrap it on like any other dog coat.
As it comes in five different sizes, this Thundershirt Anxiety Coat is suitable for a variety of different dog breeds, just make sure you check the dimensions before you order to ensure you're getting the right size. Customers say it does take a bit of time on the first use to figure out how to put it on but it does get easier.
Pros
- Comes in five sizes for all dogs
- Has an immediate relaxing effect by applying gentle pressure
Cons
- Some customers felt it took a bit of time to work out how to put it on
Best travel calming spray for pets
If you don't want to pop your anxious pooch in a coat all day, Adaptil has a range of sprays and supplements that work as anti-anxiety. This ADAPTIL Calm Transport Spray is specially made with transport in mind as you can simply spray it on a blanket or their bed for stress-free journeys.
When using this spray around their pup, many customers have noticed it's had a calming effect on their dog but they did say the smell of it has a strong alcohol-like scent.
Pros
- Simple to use with just a spray on a blanket or a bed
- Customers have noticed the calming effect it had on their dog
Cons
- Some customers say it has a strong alcohol-like scent
Best dog seat belt attachments
Keep your animal safe in the car with a special 'dog seat belt'. Just attach the Iokheira Dog Seat Belt onto any car seat buckle and adjust the strap around your dog, protecting them from brakes and sharp turns. It's fitted with a carabiner that tightly attaches to your dog's lead for safety and also has 360-degree rotation so it's not restrictive.
With over 2,800 reviews and an average star rating of 4.7 stars out of 5, customers rate this highly for comfort, ease of use, sturdiness and value for money. The length of it can be adjusted between 50-80cm to suit dogs of different sizes but some customers wished it was a shorter length.
Pros
- 360 rotation carabiner and locks tightly to keep your dog secure but not uncomfortably restricted
- Strap is adjustable
Cons
- Some customers think it should be shorter
Best dog carrier for bike rides
Bike adventures don't have to be so stressful with this PawHut Folding Animal Bike Carrier, which is easily attached to any pedal bike. It's made from an Oxford fabric with a PU cover to ensure it's protected from the elements and it has mesh windows to ensure air can still flow freely around your canine companion to prevent them from overheating.
With the PawHut Bike Carrier, you can zip your dog securely inside so they can safely hop on the journey with you. With a 4.8 star rating out of five, customers rated it highly for being solidly built and that fact it folds up easily for storage and transportation. Some reviewers mention it didn't fit well on their e-bike so if you have an e-bike, this may not be the best option for you.
Pros
- Made from a weather-resistant material
- Mesh windows to prevent your pooch from overheating
Cons
- May not suit e-bikes
Best pet towel for travel
Dry off your pet after a long day of running around with this Henry Wag Microfibre Pet Towel. Made of 100% cotton, this highly absorbent microfibre towel is quick-drying and easy to roll up or fold up, it's a perfect travel partner that makes cleaning up simple.
Reviewers say this towel is nice and soft and it does a great job of absorbing water but some say it's thinner than they expected.
Pros
- Quick drying
- Nice and soft, according to reviewers
Cons
- Thinner than expected
Best non-spill pet bowl
Making sure you, your family and pets are hydrated with water is extremely important on long journeys and travel. This Road Refresher Non Spill Water Bowl stops any spillages or dripping and can be taken apart for easy cleaning. Pop it inside a crate, in the car or on the floor and keep everything clean.
It's very sturdy and stays in place according to customers but keep in mind this bowl isn't dishwasher safe so you'll need to give this a thorough clean with soapy water after every use to keep it free from bacteria and other nasties
Pros
- Can be taken apart to clean
- Sturdy and stays in place
Cons
- Not dishwasher-safe
Best portable dog water bottle
Portable dog water bottles are also a great find for days out and travelling, just hook this COTOP Portable Dog Water Bottle onto any bag or store away for a refreshing drink at any point as water can be stored inside the bottle until your pooch is ready to drink. Squeeze the water out and hold it down for your pup to enjoy.
It doesn't leak, according to the reviewers and many say it's very portable so you can easily take it on your travels. The release button is a little stiff though.
Pros
- Leakproof and one-handed operation
- Water that's not drunk can go back into the bottle
Cons
- Some customers have commented on the button being stiff
Best dog harness for travel
You'll want to keep a close hand on your dog whilst travelling, especially if it's somewhere new. With adjustable straps for the perfect fit and reflective strips for added safety at night, the Julius-K9 Powerharness is a professional harness so you can get your pooch around safely. Just attach a lead to the harness for easy more controlled walking.
Customers appreciate the control, appearance and safety that the Julius-K9 Powerharness provides. Some reviewers found the sizing was difficult to work out so be sure to check the sizing dimensions before ordering.
Pros
- Professional-style control for disobedient dogs
- Reflective straps for added safety at night
Cons
- Some customers had issues with the sizing
How we chose the best travel accessories for dogs
All of these dog travel accessories have been hand-selected by our team of Take A Break Pets shopping experts. We carefully considered quality, practicality and portability in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching travel accessories for dogs to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
With pets big and small on our team, where possible we'll share the best products that have been tried and tested by our own furry friends who have given their paw of approval.
FAQs
What do I need to pack when travelling with pets?
Make sure you have a solid checklist of all the accessories and gear you need to keep your pets comfortable before you set off. Here's a quick rundown:
• Collar, leash, harness
• Crate or pet carrier
• Bed/blankets
• Toys
• Food and cool, freshwater
• Food and water dishes
• First Aid Kit for your pet
Pet carriers are something you'll want to grab for every pet, big or small. You can get different sizes to fit different breeds or animals. If you don't want to keep your pet cooped up in a carrier for the duration of the travel, you can even get car boot protectors, seat covers and beds to make a car journey more comfortable.
What else do I need when travelling with my pet?
Your pet’s identification, including owner name, current home address and home phone number
• Owner's local contact phone number and address
• Contact information for your accommodation (your dog-friendly hotel, campground etc.)
• A current colour photo
• An ID tag
• Your veterinary practice contact information
The pet microchip registration is updated with your current contact information including a mobile phone number, plus your pet’s medical records, including:
• Current copies of your pet's medical records including pre-existing conditions and medications (especially when re-locating or travelling out of the country)
• A certificate of veterinary inspection (health certificate) including, proof of vaccinations against rabies and other illnesses
• An examination by a licensed and accredited veterinarian to make sure the animal is not showing signs of disease.
• An acclimation certificate for air travel (this is only required by some airlines, so check to see if your airline requires this).
• Any prescribed medications (adequate supply for the entire duration of the trip and several days' surplus supply, just in case)
Travelling with pets in Europe
Since Brexit, it’s still possible to travel to the EU with a pet but the process has changed.
Pet owners from England, Scotland and Wales can travel within the EU's borders with their pets by obtaining an animal health certificate (AHC).
You need to get a new certificate each time you travel with your pet, and you must obtain it within 10 days of your departure date. It costs between £100 and £150.
Countries such as Ireland, Finland, Malta and Norway can have different rules and ask for more health certificates so make sure to check the rules of a country before travelling with your pet.
Caitlin Casey is a Senior Writer for Take a Break Pets. When not out and about, you can catch her reading books at home with her two cats.