Best Dog Travel Accessories for Your Next Road Trip

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Let's be real, a smooth journey with your canine companion doesn't just happen; it takes a little planning and a sprinkle of know-how. That's exactly what we're going to dive into!

From providing a comfortable ride for your dog, to protecting your car, nailing comfort breaks to keeping them safe there's lots to consider.

To make life easier, we’ve rounded up and tested some great dog travel essentials which aim to take the hassle out of road trips with your dog.

Our Guide to your Essential Dog Travel Accessories

Stylish Dog Car Seat

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Luther Bennett Dog Pod 2.0

For a super stylish dog car seat option, for small to medium sized dogs, we'd recommend taking a closer look at the Dog Pod from UK brand Luther Bennett.

Designed for safety and comfort during car journeys, the newer models (like the Dog Pod 2.0) feature ISOFIX connectors, which are the same secure attachment points used for baby car seats.

Luther Bennett Dog Pods are known for their generous, soft padding. This allows dogs to "sink in" and feel cradled, which is particularly beneficial for reducing travel anxiety and motion sickness

We love that these popular and highly-rated dog car seats, double as a dog bed when you reach your destination so you don't need to pack a separate dog bed.

For £10 OFF the Luther Bennett Dog Pod range

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Clever Car Seat Covers

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Kong Car Seat Cover & Hammock

Car seat protection is always a smart move. You've probably familiar with the iconic Kong dog toy, but have you seen their travel range ?

We love their 2–in–1 Bench Seat Cover & Hammock because it can be converted from a full hammock protecting the rear of the front seats and the footwell (shown in our photo), to a simple seat cover if you have human passengers in the back seat as well.

With openings for seat belt fastenings or safety tethers, a mesh window, adjustable headrest straps and two zipped pockets for storing accessories - we think that it's one of the best we've tested and it comes at a fraction of the cost of tailored seat covers.

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Canine Car Boot Liner

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KONG Ultimate Cargo Liner & Tether

If you're after a boot liner that truly excels without breaking the bank, the Kong Ultimate Cargo Liner is an outstanding choice. We've rigorously tested many boot liners over the years, and this one consistently comes out on top.

It provides a more tailored fit for your boot, thanks to its two adjustable headrest straps and robust Velcro fastenings.

The pale grey quilted fabric not only looks but also feels incredibly high quality, perfectly matching Kong's seat covers.

Every detail is carefully considered, from the meticulously finished black piping along the edges to the charmingly designed zip pulls, shaped like miniature rubber Kong toys – an adorable touch! This liner certainly ticks all the boxes for style, plus it's machine washable and even includes a tether to attach to your dog's harness for added safety (no more leaping out when you open the boot)..

Designed here in the UK and available from Dog Gear

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Dog Safety Harness

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CarSafe

When it comes to car safety, a crash-tested harness is absolutely essential for your dog. A high-quality option that either clips into the seatbelt or an ISOFIX point is a popular choice, offering your dog some freedom of movement while keeping them securely in place.

We highly recommend the Car Safe harness because it's fully certified and crash-tested, giving you peace of mind. We've found it incredibly straightforward to fit, thanks to its two quick-release clips and adjustable straps. For your dog's comfort, the chest plate is extra padded, plus the straps are wide to prevent any digging in.

A fantastic feature of this harness is the inclusion of D-rings on both the front and back. This means you can easily attach a lead and head straight out for a walk once you reach your destination, which is a huge time-saver, especially if your journey involves frequent comfort breaks.

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Hydration and Nutrition on the Go

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Buddy Bottle

Keeping your dog well-fed and hydrated while you're out and about is essential. The easiest way to manage this is by pre-portioning their food and storing your dog's water and food in secure containers.

We particularly love the Buddy Bottle as it cleverly solves both these needs in one stylish product. The Buddy Bottle is a seriously clever 3-in-1 solution, perfect for travel. Its ingenious nesting system means you get an insulated 900ml water bottle, a water bowl, and a food bowl all in one compact design.

This innovative bottle is built to last with a leak-proof design, double-walled stainless steel to keep water cold, and a durable powder-coated finish. We put it to the test on a 670-mile road trip to the Dordogne, France, this summer, and it truly delivered! Plus, it comes in a range of stylish colours.

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Dog Travel Bowl

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Pup & Kit

Pup & Kit are a UK brand offering a range of unique pet products for the modern dog lover. The latest addition to their collection is the Lid-it dog bowl – where style meets practicality.

This thoughtfully designed bowl features hygienic stainless steel for easy cleaning, a non-slip base to keep it in place during mealtimes, and a unique airtight lid that preserves food freshness.

It's the airtight lid that makes these bowls perfect for on-the-go feeding. You can pre-portion the food before you leave home and it's fresh at dinner time.

Save 15% OFF Pup & Kit with discount code SMARTBARK15

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Dog Cleaning Wipes

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Earth Rated Wipes

Dog wipes are a great solution to dealing with the everyday mess your dog picks up on their paws. Incredibly versatile, they are super handy to keep in the car for a speedy clean up.

You're getting great value with Earth Rated's dog grooming wipes, which come in generous packs of 100. We tried the unscented version, but they're also available with a lavender or white tea & basil scent.

What's crucial for any disposable wipe is how well the packaging keeps them fresh, and Earth Rated nails this. Their hard plastic opening dispenses wipes one at a time and clicks shut securely, ensuring they stay moist and ready to use.

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Extendable Dog Lead

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Flexi Comfort

Generally we're not the biggest fans of extendable dog leads. A combination of the lack of control mixed with increased injury risk means we tend not to recommend them.

However, if you're planning a long road trip with short comfort breaks in unfamiliar or busy areas an extendable lead can prove invaluable in giving your dog a little more freedom after being cooped up in the car.

We recently tested the Flex Comfort range and found that the ergonomically designed handle sits comfortably in your hand whilst the braking system worked well. The 5m lead is long enough for a little freedom and didn't get jammed. The range offers three sizes and tape lengths to suit everyone and their dog.

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Luxury Pet Stroller

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Tavo Pet Stroller

If you have a small breed or a senior dog and plan on extensive walks at your destination, a pet stroller is an excellent investment, ensuring your furry friend can join you on all your adventures.

Undeniably luxurious, the Tavo collection prioritises comfort and safety with an almost obsessive attention to detail.

This exclusive range is designed to accompany your pup anywhere, effortlessly transforming from a fully crash-tested car seat to a super cosy bed, and finally into a full-on stroller. It's the ultimate solution for taking your dog on any journey, big or small.

If you're a pet parent who loves to spoil your dog with the very best, the Tavo Maeve Pet Protection System is sure to impress. Just be ready for some serious envy from both your human and canine companions!

Save 10% with discount code TAVO10-HAL

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Dog Life Jacket

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EzyDog Flotation Device

Planning a trip to the beach or river ? A life jacket is a great investment to keep them safe.

The EzyDog DFD Dog Life Jacket the perfect buoyancy aid for taking your dog out on the water.

We recently tested the EzyDog Flotation Device on holiday in the Dordogne and think it's a great value buoyancy aid that offers you peace of mind and gives them confidence on or around the water.

As well as giving your dog the freedom to swim comfortably, it offers adjustable padded straps, a grab handle (just in case) and a lead attachment

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We hope Our Guide to your Essential Dog Travel Accessories helps you plan your next road trip

Happy travelling from the Smart Bark team!