Thankful For My Dog Day: Gift Guide for Gearheads and Road Trippers who Love to Travel with Their Dogs (and cats, too!)

Nov 23, 2024

Today is thankful for my dog day, and we couldn’t be happier about it! As you may already know, most of us here at Classic Auto Group are dog lovers (and we think cats are pretty great, too)! So today’s holiday gift guide is dedicated to our faithful furry friends, and all sorts of creature comforts they could want while traveling with us.

Whether you’re looking for gear to go camping in the woods, taking the sightseeing side roads, or just taking a weekend trip to grandma’s, your pet pals will be comfortable, cozy, and feeling like they’re in their home away from home. Let our gift guide help you find the perfect gift for your pet obsessed friends. From safety gear like seatbelts, harnesses for the car, and booster seats to camping tents, elevated beds, and everything in between, you’ll find it on today’s blog.

Pet Vehicle Safety: Why pets should have restraints in the vehicle and how to keep them safe while on the road!

While some states have already taken legal action to protect pet pals on the road and reduce distracted driving, others have left the choice up to handlers and pet parents. Here are some safety tips that you can abide by to keep your pet and passengers and other drivers safe!

Don’t let your pets hang out the window while driving.
Do restrain your pets using a harness, safety belt, crate/carrier, or shock absorber belt attachment to keep them stationary. (For example, a 60lb dog unrestrained in a vehicle traveling just 35MPH can become a 2,700lb projectile and will likely sustain fatal injuries)
Don’t allow your pet to ride in your lap or on the seat next to you free-ranging.
Do your best to keep your eyes on the road, and bring another passenger to monitor your pet while you’re driving
Do travel with your pet’s vital medical information and vet number handy in case of emergency.
Don’t pet or feed your dog while actively driving, and refrain from taking videos and photos as the driver; ask your passengers to do this for you!

If your pet does not do well in a crate or carrier situation due to anxieties, we recommend a secondary safety seat-belt style method of securing your pet via a harness. Do not secure your pet’s neck collar or aversive collars to a safety mechanism as this may cause a choking hazard in an accident. You can opt for a bungee extension that attaches your leash to the seat, such as this one from Leash Boss; this dog seatbelt that clicks into your seatbelt system with adjustable length from DiFost at Walmart; this over the seatback dog safety belt that attaches to the harness made by Mosey; score a 2-pack deal of behind headrest and seatbelt tether with bungee shock absorber and leash/harness clip from Amazon.

Ideally, you’ll want to restrain your pet with crash-tested harnesses such as the Ruffwear Load-Up Dog Harness or the Kurgo Car Safety Harness with Belt Tether Loop.

If your dog is more gear-shy, you may wish to opt for a safety seat or booster seat for additional protection that feels more like their cozy comfortable bed and discourages free ranging and walking around. Here are some great options to check out for different sizes of dogs:

Keeping Your Pets Safe and Cozy at the Camp Site

If co-sleeping with your canine in a small pop-up tent sounds a little cramped, we’ve got some fantastic options for your camping wishlist that will accommodate dogs and cats! These portable, stowable options for soft-sided carts, collapsible bowls, and comfortably ventilated crates will put your mind at ease. You and your pets can get some much needed R&R in your own spaces, enjoy your meals side by side on your own designated platewares, and have plenty of peace and serenity allowing you to enjoy your nature explorations.

We love the Elite Field 3-Door Collapsible soft-sided dog crate currently available on Chewy. It comes in multiple colorways as well as a variety of sizes, and includes a sherpa bed pad at the bottom if you prefer to travel minimally. Sizes range from XS to Large with plenty of breathability so your pet can sleep comfortably and you can monitor them safely. It also comes with a 2 year warranty for your peace of mind.

The Go Pet Club Foldable soft crate comes in sizes Small to Large and offers a slightly less expensive option than the Elite Field, for those who are camping on a budget. Snag yours at PetSmart

Your pet deserves to sleep in comfort just like you. If you’re not up for sharing your packable memory foam bed roll, consider an elevated pet bed like this one from PetMaker. It can alleviate contact with the hard ground, and provide much needed relief and comfort for aching joints at the end of a long hiking trip.

One step up from the Go Pet is the Acadia Trail Navy Bolster Cot which allows for a little extra padding and comfort along with ventilated raised bedding. Pair with a cooling or warming blanket also from Acadia for a perfect fit.

Best Travel Food Sets for Pets: Make Sure Your Pet Stays Fed and Hydrated on the Trails

Instead of fussing with taking their favorite food and water bowls from home, consider getting a convenient, portable option for traveling! Whether you’re feeding kibble or freeze dried or fresh, there are plenty of affordable, travel-friendly options to accommodate your pet’s mealtime.

The Frisco Complete travel stainless steel feeder bowl is perfect for cats and dogs on the go and comes in your choice of three colors, and either a small or large size. Available on chewy right now for 20% off for a limited time.

Both the Wilderdog Backpacking Bowl and the Ruffwear Bivy or Quencher Portable Nylon bowls make for a convenient, lightweight packable bowl for food and water.

The Dexas Popware for Pets double bowl set offers elevated feeding with a portable, packable flat stowing option. Comes in four colors, too, via Chewy.

This 6 piece dog travel bag set includes 2 food containers, a travel organizer, and 2 collapsible bowls along with a portable treat pouch! Comes in your choice of 3 colors and also has plenty of room to stow toys and chews. Convenient detachable strap option for portability.

What are your favorite pet friendly camping essentials? What comfort items does your dog prefer for road trips and car rides? Let us know by chiming in on the comments of our social media! We’d love to hear from you, and your content might be featured in our upcoming future blogs.

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