Gift Guide for Traveling Dog Owners

Gifts for People that Travel with Their Dog

Need help finding the best gift for the traveling dog owner in your life? Here is the perfect list to get you started with your holiday shopping. From basic necessities for the new dog owner to items that will make traveling with a pup much easier, there is a gift idea for everyone. Take some of the stress out of the holiday season and let us help you with the shopping!

If you want to do something extra special, combine some of these ideas to make them a Travel-Themed Gift Basket!

Gifts For Traveling Dog Owners Under $25

There are multiple useful gifts available for less than $25. These items make great stocking stuffers or even stand-alone presents. Each one of these items is incredibly useful to ensure a safe and comfortable trip for both the owner and the dog.

Collapsible bowls

One can never have too many portable bowls when you are traveling with pets! Making sure the dogs have access to clean, safe water is crucial to their health and safety. We try to have a set for the car, the tent, and each of our hiking bags because it is so easy to lose track of where they are when you are on the road.

Seatbelts

Dog seatbelts are the perfect stocking stuffer. Somehow, they tend to be among the last things many dog owners think to purchase but they can make a huge difference in keeping the pup safe in the event of a car accident.

Car Window Shades

If your favorite dog owner doesn’t have shaded windows in their car, the vehicle can heat up very fast. Make the furry passengers in the car happy by gifting window shades that will make everybody more comfortable on car rides! I was surprised at what a huge difference they made in the backseat of my car.

Dog Backpack

A backpack for the dog is not a necessity, but it can be very helpful which makes it a great gift for pet owners that travel. This way the dog can carry some of the items that are needed on hikes. This would be things like their water bowls, treats, or even poop bags which will leave more room for heavier items in the human’s bag.

Dog Harness

For people who do a lot of hiking in the mountains, consider buying them a dog harness. A harness offers a more secure connection between the dog and the owner. This is incredibly important on sections of a trail that may be very narrow and slippery. We decided to start investing in harnesses for all of our pups after a wet slippery hike in the mountains of West Virginia.

Light up Leash and Collar

This is a gift that is handy for night walks, especially if the dog is darker in color. Being able to see where the dog (and dog walker) is from a distance can keep everyone safe by letting everyone know where they are in the dark. After tripping over Kiara (our black dog) on one of my night runs, a friend gifted us a light-up leash and I love it!

Dog Life Jacket (with handle)

If you are buying gifts for someone who spends a lot of time around water, a life jacket for their dog may be the ideal present. Make sure the life jacket you choose has a handle attached to it. This will make it easier to guide the dog when it’s in the water, should they ever need assistance. In an emergency, the handle can even help haul the animal back onto a boat or on land.

Handheld Vacuum

A portable, handheld vacuum isn’t necessary, but it is very helpful! Being able to quickly suck up dirt, small rocks, and hair inside the tent and car makes a huge difference on trips- especially for tent camping! It is even more important if the trips involve kids when you consider all the food crumbs that fall.

Gifts For Traveling Dog Owners $25-$50

If you want to spend a bit more money on gifts for your special dog owner, consider this next group of items. These gifts are not necessary for travel, but they will make the trip itself and the clean-up afterward much easier. There are also several items that will make the pup in question more comfortable while they are away from home.

Dog Travel Bag

A travel bag will keep all of their dog’s needs neatly organized for their next trip. This bag comes with food containers and bowls. It also has several zippered pockets and straps to hold other necessities like water, treats, and toys.

Car Seat Covers

Dogs tend to add an extra mess everywhere they go. The car will soon begin to collect dog hair along with the sand and dirt from all the places traveled. The gift of seat covers will help contain the unwanted souvenirs that the vehicle will pick up on the road.

Travel Bed

What pet owner doesn’t want their dog to be comfortable when they are traveling together? A new travel bed for their pup will be much appreciated. It can be perfect for long road trips or for overnights in a new place. Choose a full-size bed or a bed that can roll up and takes up less space for hiking and camping trips.

Cooling Mat\Bandana

For your friends or family who travel or live in hot areas with their pup, a cooling mat or bandana is a great gift. It can be dangerous and even deadly if a dog overheats. A cooling mat or bandana isn’t a cure-all, but they can help keep a dog safe and more comfortable in the heat.

1^st Aid Kit

A 1^st Aid Kit is one of the most overlooked items for travelers. Make sure your favorite people and pets are set up for success and have the items needed in case of an emergency. Many items can be used for both pets and people but there are few specialty things you may want to add depending on whether the kit is meant for humans or animals. For more information, we broke down all the things one could want or need in our DIY Dog First Aid Kit post.

Camping Shower (with water pressure)

Having a way to wash a dog when on a hiking or camping trip is a luxury that many pet owners would love to have. Think of all the ‘fun’ and smelly things a pup can find to roll around in while they are in the woods. Buying a camping shower with water pressure is important to help get things out of their hair with less work. This is another item that many owners don’t purchase for themselves but would be greatly appreciated.

Emergency Stretcher

This is an item that many dog owners put off buying and hopefully doesn’t need to be used often. However, it does come in handy in case of an emergency. Depending on the area and size of the dog, an emergency sling may be the only way to safely get a pup back to the car and to medical treatment if they are injured.

Gifts For Traveling Dog Owners Over $50

This next group of items may cost a bit more money, but the value they give is unbelievable. Gift an item to showcase their travel adventures or a gift that will help them remain presentable when they go out in public after spending hours with a shedding dog. You can even choose a present that will help them bring their pup along on longer hikes or that will help them find their best fur friend if they ever get separated.

Polyester or Nylon Hiking Pants

I love my REI pants! These pants are great for traveling with dogs. Not only are they comfortable and quick-drying but they also don’t collect dog hair like many other fabrics. These are fantastic on the trips that we take with our four dogs but don’t want to look like we are traveling with four dogs- LOL.

Dog Carrier

A dog carrier is an item that can be incredibly helpful for those who go on longer hikes or who have dogs that aren’t capable of doing longer trips anymore. They even make packs that carry dogs up to 80 pounds. The K9 Sport Sack is on our Christmas list this year since our dogs (and us) are getting older. They love going on hikes with us and we love the idea of not having to carry tired pups in our arms for miles!

Fitbark (or other GPS system)

As dog owners, our worst fear is losing one of our pups, especially if we are on vacation. A gift of a GPS tracking system will ensure that no matter what, your friend or family member will much more likely be able to find their lost dog quickly if they are ever separated. We have invested in the FitBark GPS system but depending on your needs and budget, there are several GPS tracking devices to choose from. Keep in mind, that many of these products will require a monthly or annual subscription.

Virtual Picture Frame

This is the best gift! A virtual picture frame to showcase all of the wonderful memories made together while traveling the world. The Echo Show 8 & 10 may not be marketed solely as a virtual picture frame but we have found that they have the best viewing quality for the money spent as well as having many other features available.

Start Shopping!

Still, looking for more gift ideas for people who travel with their dogs? Take a look at our Dog Road Trip Supplies or Tips for Camping with a Dog post for more useful products that can make their vacations more enjoyable.

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