Travel Gear
Travel Gear We'd Pack Again
Named for Maxx, the boxer who rode shotgun on every adventure for ten years. He taught us what actually matters on the road.
After years of road trips with dogs, you learn fast what's worth the trunk space and what's dead weight. Every item below earned its spot the hard way — on highways, hiking trails, and in hotel rooms at midnight.
The only harness to earn a 5-star rating from the Center for Pet Safety. Its padded vest spreads crash forces across the chest instead of the neck, and it doubles as a walking harness so you're not swapping gear at every rest stop. Around $90–110 — worth every penny for the peace of mind.
Keeps the seats clean, gives your dog a stable platform, and blocks the footwell so nobody slides off the seat in a sudden stop. Look for one with seat anchors and a non-slip backing — the cheap ones migrate.
They flatten to nothing in a daypack and pop open for water and dinner. Get two — one always seems to be drying. BPA-free silicone, dishwasher safe.
Squeeze to fill the flip-down bowl, release to drain the excess back. No more pouring half a bottle onto the pavement at a rest stop. The 20oz size is the sweet spot for medium and large dogs.
A familiar-smelling bed turns any hotel room or campsite into home base. This one rolls up tight, wipes clean, and has enough insulation for cool ground. Dogs that sleep well travel well.
Releases a synthetic version of the pheromone nursing dogs produce. No drugs, no drowsiness — just takes the edge off for anxious travelers. Put it on a day or two before the trip so it's working at full strength when you leave.
For dogs that pant, pace, or whine in the car. Look for chews with L-theanine or chamomile from a brand that lists actual ingredients (not 'proprietary blend'). Test them at home first — never experiment with something new on travel day.
Add a little water, dip each paw, twist, done. Keeps trail mud out of the rental car and the hotel bedspread. The large size fits boxer-sized paws comfortably. Genuinely one of those 'why didn't I buy this years ago' items.
For those 6am and 10pm potty walks in unfamiliar places. A small rechargeable light clipped to the collar makes your dog visible to cars and easy to spot off-leash. USB rechargeable beats coin batteries.
Gauze, antiseptic wipes, tweezers for ticks, a tick key, Benadryl (check dosing with your vet before the trip), and your vet's number written on the case. Hopefully you never open it — pack it anyway.
