Who doesn’t love the pure, unadulterated joy of seeing a car or truck barreling down the road with a happy dog who’s got his head stuck out the window just loving life and smelling all the smells? This automotive gift-giving guide features 10 fun, innovative, and game-changing travel accessories for the pet lover in your life. Whether you know someone who takes their pet everywhere, or someone who wants to but lacks the proper supplies to do so, this guide is sure to have something relevant and useful that will help ensure they -- and their pet -- get maximum enjoyment out of every car ride.
Heavy-Duty Seat Covers
Heavy-duty seat covers are perhaps the number-one, must-have solution for anyone looking to tote their furry friends around town while also keeping vehicle upholstery looking new for years to come. It’s no secret that sharp claws and muddy paws can quickly wreak havoc on cloth, suede, and leather seats.
Forget those flimsy universal covers and pick up a rugged, custom-fit option from a serious brand like Covercraft or TigerTough. Both companies offer a wide variety of choices in everything from staid black to pink camouflage, and use ultra-durable fabrics like 1000-denier Cordura and Duck Weave polycotton. Water-repellant, stain-resistant, and machine-washable, they’re practically the definition of “pet-friendly.”
Backseat Barrier
One of the more frustrating things about traveling with your pet (specifically, your dog) is their habit of jumping around the entire car or attempting to surf the center console as you drive. Keeping them contained with a portable pet partition, like those designed by WeatherTech or G3, is a great idea – and makes for a great gift, too!
These cleverly designed pet barriers are essentially steel partition panels that turn an SUV or CUV’s cargo area into a cushy kennel. Adjustable and expandable, they’re an easy-to-install solution for rambunctious travel companions.
Pet Ramp
For folks with heavy pets or older pups that are beginning to have mobility issues and can’t quite jump up into the back of a vehicle, a pet ramp is the ideal travel accessory. Pets of all weights and sizes can easily access SUVs, minivans, and trucks on their own without risking an injury to either you or them.
Easy to use, these ramps simply unfold into position and offer pets a sturdy step up into the vehicle. The gentle incline is easy on their joints, and the skid-resistant surface ensures their paws don’t slip or slide. There are plenty of different brands and styles on the market today, but here at Parts Via we like WeatherTech’s solution. It’s heavy-duty enough to handle pets up to 300 lbs., but lightweight enough to fold up and carry around.
Collapsible Food/Water Bowls
Speaking of things that fold up for convenient carrying, collapsible food and water bowls make excellent gifts for pet lovers – especially those who like to take their pets for hiking and camping excursions in addition to long car rides.
Dexas Popware is a complete line of BPA-free and dishwasher-safe pet feeding solutions. Made of colorful silicone and plastic, the food and water bowls collapse flat for easy storage and then “pop” out when it’s time for use.
Several of the products sport additional useful features too, like foldable legs for elevated feeding and incorporated carabiner clips for portability. The brand’s collapsible measuring cups even have a handle that doubles as a bag clip. The entire line is cleverly-designed and built to last, so whether you pick up one piece or assemble an entire goodie bag for your pet lover, they’ll enjoy their gift for years to come.
Travel Blanket
As excited as pets are to go traveling, they can also get pretty tired after a long hike, romp through the water, or day at the dog park. Investing in a soft travel blanket that can act as a cushy bed provides a comfortable and cozy place for pets (and their people) to lay down when the need for a quick power nap arises.
Choose one made from ultra-soft and machine-washable polyester for the ultimate in cozy warmth, or go with a more durable option that features a rugged waterproof backing to prevent dew and moisture from dampening your pet’s coat and paws.
Pet Seat Belt Harness
The ideal way to ensure pets stay safe and put during travel is by using a harness or buckle system. Functioning much like a human seatbelt, these setups are becoming ever more critical as vehicle designs get heavier, faster, and riddled with blind spots. In addition to keeping your pet from turning into a furry cannonball during a hard braking scenario, a pet harness also ensures they don’t bounce around the cabin causing a distraction.
As with most pet travel accessories, there are countless styles, designs, and brands to choose from. We suggest starting your search right here on Parts Via with Weathertech. The company’s pet safety harness features a heavy-duty construction that actually exceeds human seat belt safety standards, and the design keeps pressure off your pet’s neck and spine.
Pet Vest
For the ultimate pet traveler, consider gifting a pet vest or saddle bag. Wrapping around a dog like a bright, easy-to-spot jacket, this innovative bit of gear allows Fido to be a self-sufficient traveling companion by carrying his own water bottle, waste bags, food dishes, and more.
Fully adjustable and padded for comfort, the backpack vest features well laid-out clips for easy harnessing to seat belts and anchors inside the car, just like the pet seat belt harness. Plus, it comes equipped with clever carrying handles for quickly scooping your dog out of a bind or carrying them when they get tired.
Waste Bags
Taking pets in the car guarantees the need to clean up after they have a bathroom break along the way. And while anyone can grab some biodegradable waste bags to keep in the glove compartment or center console for emergencies, why not set your pet lover up with a convenient (and discreet) portable container that clips to a purse, backpack, or dog leash?
The DOOG Walkie Pouch Pet Waste Bag is a particularly clever option that also doubles as a great stocking stuffer. The handy, lightweight pouch clips easily onto the handle of your leash and holds a package of tiny waste bags that pull out like tissues from a little hole at the front.
Door Sill Covers
One of the less glamorous and more frustrating aspects for folks that like to take their four-legged compadres everywhere is the wear and tear that can happen to a vehicle’s door sill. Scratches, slobber, scuffs, dirt – they build up a not-so-pleasant film over time. Door sill covers tuck in between the window glass and inside door sill to protect the entire panel from dirty paws and sharp claws.
Toys
Everyone loves a good pet toy, and you can never have too many. Whether it’s an indestructible bright ball, a classic flying disc, a fun tug-of-war rope, or a squeaky faux stick to throw, all pets will love playing with a new toy whenever they stop for a travel break. And while you’re shopping for the pet lover on your list, pick up something for yourself. Keeping a small cache of toys in the car ensures that your pet will be able to get much needed exercise and expend any excess energy on long car trips. It will also ensure you’re never empty-handed on unexpected excursions where you want to entertain your pet in a pinch.