The 17 Best Pet Travel Essentials for Cats and Dogs in 2024, Tested and Reviewed

If you need an airline-approved pet carrier, this petite backpack-style dog carrier makes traveling hands-free with your dog a breeze. The thoughtful details stood out during testing, including several built-in pockets for storing treats, your phone, or waste bags. We also found the side water bottle pocket and laptop sleeve convenient. The interior is fleece-lined for your dog’s comfort, and there is a leash tether for security. Mesh on all four sides gives your pup a breathable space with all-sides peekability — two factors that can help comfort anxious travelers. This backpack is slim enough to fit under even the narrowest of under-seat space on a plane, but with only seven inches of interior floor width (as stated by the manufacturer, it’s made for smaller dogs). The padded backpack straps are easily adjustable, and you can also belt in the backpack with the handy seat belt attachment. 

Our Ratings

• Size

  5/5

• Quality

  5/5

• Comfort

  5/5

• Portability

  5/5

• Design

  5/5

The Away Pet Carrier is a generous glow-up from the traditional pet carrier. Clean lines give this carrier a modern profile and silhouette, while the all-black color gives it an edge against the competition. We love this carrier not just for its looks, but also how it performs. Details like a water-resistant lining, removable plush bedding with a reinforced bottom, a retractable privacy screen, and loads of pockets and storage areas keep pets and pet parents happy. This carrier is also one of four pet carriers certified by the Center for Pet Safety for use in the backseat of your car. We tested this on a 12-hour car ride with a 6-pound dog who does not typically like car rides, and the dog seemed comfortable and secure, sleeping for almost the entire ride. It’s worth noting that there is limited mesh paneling (only on the top and one side), which may cause some pets to get claustrophobic and/or limit breathability in some situations. 

Our Ratings

• Ease of Setup

  5/5

• Functionality

  5/5

• Size

  5/5

• Ease of Cleaning

  5/5

• Value

  5/5

Road tripping with your pet? Polyester and 600D PVC material keep this hammock-style cover sturdy, durable, and waterproof — and your backseat spotless. We thought installation was painless, but take note if the fixed measurements and anchor strap placement fits with your car before buying. We love the high all-sides protection this cover provides so you don’t have to worry about cleaning up any shedding or mess from the floor, doors, or seatbacks — or your pet crawling up into the front seat. Cleaning the cover is as easy as wiping it down with a damp cloth. A purposeful design includes slots for accessing seat belt bases so you can clip in your pet for the ride, a nonslip rubber backing for stability when on the move, and a storage pocket with a Velcro closure for pet essentials. It comes in seven neutral color options, including a multi-colored paw print pattern and two black variations with orange accents.

This roll-up, two-in-one silicone pet bowl set is our favorite way to feed our pets on the road and gives us one less thing to keep track of while in transit. Each set comes with two bowls approximately five by two inches that are connected to a larger flat mat measuring 15.4 by 9.3 inches. The bowls are more like walled wells, and each holds around two-and-a-half cups. We tried this out with a dog who loves to splash, but the built-in placement and the way the bowls are attached mat them virtually spill proof (anytime the dog did scoop out food or spill water, the silicone mat would catch it). We also found the soft silicone veasy to clean with soap and water, and we love how quickly it dries — two big pluses when you’re on the move. The fact that you can easily roll up the mat and stick these bowls into your pet’s carrier or a tote also scores big in our books. Plus, the geometric design of the bowls adds an element of style to a product that is usually bland. These Maxbone Go! Portable Bowls are also available in contemporary colors like mint, pale yellow, peach, and sand. 

Our Ratings

• Design

  4.5/5

• Performance

  2/5

• Durability

  5/5

• Value

  5/5

• Easy to Clean

  5/5

This double-decker food storage container is an ideal way to keep your dog’s kibble fresh while on the road. We were big fans of the top-loading, flip-top lids and how well they stayed sealed shut when put to the test. Cleaning just takes a little bit of soap and water, though you’ll want to make sure the inside is completely dry before closing the lid to avoid mildew from moisture. The 35-pound capacity is great for longer trips or multiple dogs, and the wheely bottoms mean no heavy lifting. We also like that there’s an included scoop. While it may not be small enough to take on the plane, the top container can easily fit into the backseat or trunk of a car. 

Our Ratings

• Performance

  5/5

• Portability

  4/5

• Quality

  5/5

• Value

  5/5

Whether you’re heading to Vermont or the vet’s office, this expandable cat carrier is a smart way to give your cat a little extra space to lounge while you wait. We love that each side has an accordion-style, scratch-proof mesh expansion window, giving maximum configuration customization options. We transported a cat to the vet with all of the flaps folded in and then laid her out on a bench with some flaps unzipped when we got to the waiting room for extra space. Three exterior pockets keep travel essentials handy, and you have three zippered access and loading points, including from the top. This carrier can hold up to 20 pounds of cat, and you can carry it via built-in handles or a detachable shoulder strap. A soft-lined interior panel keeps kitty comfy, and it’s removable and machine-washable. The exterior is waterproof and wipes clean. The Maskeyon Airline Approved Pet Carrier is somewhat of a misnomer, though — its length exceeds several soft pet carrier requirements on a handful of airlines, including Delta, American Airlines, and United. 

Our Ratings

• Performance

  4.5/5

• Portability

  5/5

• Quality

  4.5/5

• Value

  5/5

This old-school dog crate carrier is a hardside option for transporting your pup. Assembly is quick and requires no tools, and there’s a small plastic carry handle. We like this carrier because it’s lightweight but sturdy and kept our pet secure during transport. It’s a bare-bones crate, but there’s enough room to put down a cushion or add your pup’s favorite toy. You can load dogs through the front gate or the top gate, both of which have a simple and easy pinch-and-lock feature. This crate is designed to hold up to 15 pounds of pup, but be warned that it can be difficult to balance weight sometimes since the plastic handle is small and placed at the center of the top. 

These biodegradable, hypoallergenic cleansing wipes are a go-to grab that can function as a quick way to get rid of dirt and bacteria between baths or simply after a walk. Made from bamboo and other natural ingredients like soothing aloe and chamomile, these wipes are as good for the environment as they are for your pet. They are gentle enough to use from nose to tail (just avoid eyes and inside the ears), and we love that we don’t have to worry about dogs getting sick if they happen to lick an area that’s just been wiped. One of our editors keeps a pack stashed in their dog’s carrier to clean his paws after walks or to give a light, impromptu, all-over bath anytime on the go. Wipes come in 30-sheet packs with a plastic snap closure to seal in moisture, and they’re small enough to tuck into the pocket of your pet carrier for easy access.

Our Ratings

• Ease of Setup

  5/5

• Accuracy

  5/5

• Performance

  5/5

• Design

  4/5

• Value

  4/5

Think of the Link Smart Pet Wearable Tracker as the Fitbit for dogs. This wearable takes GPS to the next level by also adding health and activity monitoring and behavioral training capabilities via sounds and vibrations. Plus, it works by transmitting location through Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and mobile signals for the most accurate location information. You need to download an app, and we found it easy to set up and navigate. We were impressed by how accurate the tracking was through Google Maps, pinpointing not only the dog’s exact address, but also the specific area of the house she was moving through. This will be incredibly useful for travel or hiking with dogs. Owners will get alerts when their dog has moved beyond boundaries, and they can also set up temperature alerts, turn on the built-in flashlight through the app, and do real-time checks on health symptoms. There’s even a step counter. The catch? You’ll need a subscription for this wearable to work. Subscriptions have three options; monthly, yearly, and two-year. This wearable comes with two attachment options and a wall charger. 

Unlike many dog seat belts, the Kurgo Direct to Seat Belt Swivel Tether for Dogs clips directly into your car’s seat belt fastener versus looping around the headrest. This tether is designed to attach to a dog harness instead of a collar, centering the pull of the tether on your dog’s torso rather than their neck. The swivel-head carabiner harness attachment also allows your pet to move around without getting tangled. While this car seat tether works with most cars, it is incompatible with the seat belt fasteners in Ford F-series trucks.

A top pet travel tip from Dr. Rendon is to “be mindful and plan for the temperatures of the places to which you are traveling” and prepare accordingly. Bring coats and booties if it’s cold and cooling mats or vests if it’s hot. The Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Dog Cooling Harness functions as an evaporative cooling vest and lightweight harness that stays wet to keep your pet up to six times cooler in high temps. Triple-layer cooling panels — wicking outer layer, absorbing middle layer, and an inner dry layer — are located along the chest, stomach, and back. A padded, quick-grab handle allows you to assist your pet easily when needed. Plus, the simple and intuitive side-buckle design makes it a snap to get on and off. The harness’s aluminum V-ring clips and reinforced loops can hold up to the demands of rugged outdoor adventures. Bonus? The XXS size was a perfect fit for my medium-size, heat-intolerant (and harness-trained) cat. When it’s time to clean, it calls for the gentle cycle and air dry only.

To continue on the theme of preparing for the weather, you can keep your cat or small dog toasty with the K&H Thermo-Kitty Mat. The insertable dual thermostat heater is designed to warm up only when your pet lays on top. From there, it adjusts the heat level to your pet’s internal temperature so it’s always just right. This is a great travel pet accessory to take camping, on car rides in cold temperatures, or for accommodations without central heating. This bed is big enough for any size cat and small dogs.

Ruffwear Grip Trex Dog Boots are high-quality, rubber-soled dog boots that protect your pet’s paws on rugged terrain, hot rocks and sidewalks, and frosty or salted paths. Some owners even use these boots indoors on slippery hardwood floors thanks to the heavily textured Vibram outsoles. The actual shoes are made from mesh, giving your dog’s paws a bit of breathing room in hot climates. The gusset design makes it easy to take these shoes off and on. While these shoes work well on salted pavement and in freezing temperatures (with socks), the short-rise design isn’t ideal for walks in more than an inch or so of snow.

Heat, stress, and anxiety may cause your pet to become thirstier and more dehydrated than usual. For trips with her small chihuahua, Dr. Love prefers the Kalimdor Portable Dog Water Bottle because of its small size and leak-proof design. This one-handed, two-in-one design has a plastic bottle base that can store up to 19 ounces of water (most bottles only hold up to 16 ounces). The scooped-out top functions as a water bowl that holds up to 2.8 ounces of water. Liquid is released directly into the drinking area by unlocking a switch and pushing a button. You can recollect any unused water in the storage bottle instead of tossing it out. The compact design makes it easy to carry in a travel bag or backpack, or you can loop it around your wrist. Our one note is that we wish this had a built-in filter.

Finding a decent travel litter box is one of the biggest challenges of traveling with a cat. The Travel Cat Porta-Pawty Travel Litter Box solves multiple problems, including wasting litter. The zippered top and built-in side handle enables you to scoop and go, reusing the same lot of litter along multiple stops. Its construction also helps to block odors, which makes stays at pet-friendly hotels more comfortable for everyone involved. The top-flap design and standard litter box dimensions (19 by 14 by 5 inches) give your cat sufficient room to do their business. The seamless, leak-proof interior is a cinch to clean, and when you’re not using the bag, it collapses, folds, and snaps into a rectangle that measures 9.75 by 8.5 by 4 inches. Litter helps the collapsible walls of this box stay up and sturdy, so don’t hold back when filling it up.

According to Dr. Rendon, “Zylkene calming supplements are derived from milk protein and recommended by behaviorists.” They can be used for cats or dogs and are a good option for owners who want to try over-the-counter remedies before getting a sedating prescription like Gabapentin or Trazodone from their vet. This supplement’s active ingredient, alpha-casozepine, has natural calming properties. Although it’s derived from cow’s milk, it is lactose-free. The dosage is administered according to weight and can be given in its original capsule form or as a powder mixed into food by opening the capsules. Dr. Rendon recommends starting the supplements a few days before travel. Every pet is different, and Zylkene may not be effective on some animals.

Love hiking with your dog or running on the beach together? Or do you just want to be prepared for everyday outing accidents? This first-aid kit is a two-in-one medical kit you can keep in your car or toss in your backpack before an outdoor adventure. It comes with two separate pouches of medical supplies — one for you and one for your dog — that can cover basic first-aid needs like splinter and tick removal, wound irrigation, cuts and scrapes, and more. There are enough supplies in each kit to last one person and one dog up to four days. Even though it comes with how-to medical guides, it’s not meant for severe injuries.