12 Things Every Dog Owner Should Keep in the Car

If you have a dog, there’s a pretty good chance your car has become part transportation and part mobile dog-supply closet.

Leashes end up under the seat. Treats find their way into the glove compartment. And somehow there is always dog hair in places you didn’t even know dog hair could reach.

But keeping a few useful dog supplies permanently in the car can make outings a whole lot easier.

You don’t need to pack for a cross-country road trip every time you leave the driveway. These are simply the things that are surprisingly useful when a quick ride turns into a longer adventure—or when your dog creates one of those situations only another dog owner would understand.

Here are 12 things worth keeping in the car.

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1. A Spare Leash

This might be the simplest item on the list, but it may also be the one you’ll be happiest to have someday.

Leashes get forgotten.

Clasps can break.

And sometimes you leave home thinking your dog isn’t coming along, only for plans to change.

Keep an inexpensive spare leash somewhere in the car where you can easily find it. It doesn’t have to be fancy. It just needs to be sturdy, appropriately sized for your dog and ready when you need it.

If you regularly travel with more than one dog, keeping an extra leash for each dog isn’t a bad idea.

2. A Collapsible Water Bowl

This is one of those inexpensive little things that can become surprisingly useful.

Collapsible bowls take up almost no room and can be tucked into a door pocket, console or small travel bag.

They’re handy after a walk, during a road trip, at the park or anytime your dog needs a drink away from home.

Some even have clips that attach to a bag or leash.

You may not use it every day.

But the first time you’re standing beside a thirsty dog trying to pour water into your cupped hand, you’ll understand why it belongs in the car.

3. Fresh Drinking Water

Of course, the bowl isn’t much help without something to put in it.

Keeping water available for your dog is particularly important on warm days and longer outings.

Rather than relying on finding a water source wherever you end up, bring water from home or carry bottled water.

Just remember that a bottle permanently sitting in a hot or freezing car isn’t ideal. Make checking and replacing your dog’s travel water part of your routine, especially when temperatures are extreme.

For longer trips, a dedicated dog travel-water container can make things even easier.

4. Poop Bags—More Than You Think You’ll Need

One bag is never enough.

Your dog seems to know when you have exactly one left.

Keep an entire roll or box in the car.

They’re obviously useful for cleaning up after your dog, but they can also come in handy for containing dirty wipes, muddy items or other small messes until you get home.

I like the idea of keeping some in the glove compartment and another roll with the dog’s walking supplies.

Because apparently running out of poop bags is something dogs can sense.

5. An Old Towel

If I could tell every dog owner to throw one thing into the back of the car today, it might be an old towel.

Dogs find mud.

Dogs find puddles.

Dogs find things you were absolutely certain weren’t there five minutes earlier.

An old bath towel can handle wet paws, muddy legs, a damp dog after an unexpected rain shower or a seat that needs a little protection.

You don’t need to buy anything special.

Use one of those old towels you were going to replace anyway and officially promote it to Dog Car Towel.

You’ll use it more often than you think.

6. Pet Wipes

The towel handles the big mess.

Pet wipes handle everything else.

Muddy paws, dusty legs and whatever mysterious substance your dog managed to step in can often be dealt with quickly before your dog climbs back onto the seat.

Choose wipes specifically made for pets rather than assuming any household wipe is appropriate for your dog’s skin and paws.

They’re particularly convenient after walks and park visits.

7. A Safe Way to Secure Your Dog

This one isn’t about convenience.

It’s about safety.

A dog wandering around the vehicle can distract the driver and can be injured during sudden braking or a crash.

Depending on your dog’s size and your vehicle, your setup might involve an appropriately secured carrier or crate or a dog restraint system designed for vehicle travel.

Whatever system you choose, get your dog accustomed to it gradually rather than introducing it for the first time on a long trip.

And no matter how much your dog enjoys being your co-pilot, the driver’s lap isn’t the safest seat in the car.

8.  A Few Treats

Treats aren’t just for spoiling your dog.

They can be genuinely useful away from home.

A favorite treat can help reward your dog for getting into the car, focusing on you in a distracting environment or calmly waiting while something exciting is happening nearby.

Keep a small supply in a sealed container so you don’t end up with crumbs scattered throughout the car.

And rotate them occasionally rather than leaving the same treats baking in the glove compartment for six months.

Your dog may disagree with that last part.

9. A Small Dog First-Aid Kit

Hopefully you’ll never need it.

That’s exactly why it’s easy to forget.

A basic pet first-aid kit can be useful for minor problems until you’re able to contact or reach a veterinarian.

Rather than improvising a medical kit yourself, you can purchase one designed for pets and keep it with your other travel supplies.

Also consider keeping your veterinarian’s phone number and the contact information for an emergency veterinary clinic saved in your phone.

A first-aid kit doesn’t replace veterinary care.

It simply gives you a few supplies to work with while you’re getting it.10.

10. A Familiar Toy

You don’t need half the toy box.

One favorite toy can be enough.

Having something familiar nearby may give your dog an activity during a stop or simply make an unfamiliar destination feel a little more normal.

Choose something durable and appropriate for your dog.

For longer outings, you might also bring an enrichment toy that can occupy your dog when you’ve reached your destination.

11. A Seat Cover or Protective Blanket

If your dog rides in the car regularly, this can save you a surprising amount of cleaning.

A washable back-seat cover can help protect upholstery from hair, dirt, wet paws and the occasional muddy-dog disaster.

Some covers are hammock-style, while others simply cover the seat.

Which style works best depends on your dog, your vehicle and how you’ve arranged your dog’s safe travel setup.

If you don’t want to buy anything, an old washable blanket is certainly better than nothing.

But frequent dog travelers may appreciate something designed to stay in place and be removed for washing.

12. A Small “Dog Go Bag”

Finally, give all this stuff a home.

It doesn’t need to be an elaborate emergency backpack.

A simple tote travel bag, small storage bin or zippered bag can keep your dog’s supplies together so you aren’t searching beneath seats every time you need something.

You might keep inside:

• Spare leash
• Collapsible bowl
• Poop bags
• Pet wipes
• Small first-aid kit
• Treats
• A toy
• Copies of important information

Put the towel and larger items beside it, and suddenly your collection of random dog stuff becomes an actual system.

If you have more than one dog, you can also keep a card in the bag with each dog’s basic information, veterinarian contact details and any important medication or health information someone would need in an emergency.

One More Thing: Check Your Dog Supplies Occasionally

Once you’ve created your little dog-travel setup, it’s tempting to forget about it.

Give it a quick check every month or two.

Replace old treats.

Restock poop bags.

Check the leash and restraint equipment for wear.

Make sure the wipes haven’t dried out.

Replace anything in the first-aid kit that’s expired or been used.

And adjust what you carry as your dog’s needs change.

A young dog headed to the hiking trail may need different supplies than an older dog going along for a quiet afternoon ride.

You Don’t Need to Pack the Whole House

The goal isn’t to turn your vehicle into a pet-supply store.

It’s simply to have the handful of things that solve the most common problems.

A spare leash when you forgot yours.

A towel when your dog discovers the only mud puddle in the county.

Water after an unexpectedly long walk.

A poop bag when you thought you had one in your pocket.

None of these things seem terribly important when you’re sitting at home.

It’s when you’re twenty miles away with a wet, thirsty, muddy dog staring happily at you that you’ll be very glad they’re already in the car.

And knowing dogs, they’ll probably give you plenty of opportunities to use them.