Lady Beefcake's favorite things: dog travel essentials from a well-traveled bulldog
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Meet Lady Beefcake, A Trip for One's Chief Trip Companion. She's a bulldog, she's high maintenance, and she has more meds and skincare than I do. Well, maybe not more. But it's close.
Lady isn't an afterthought when we travel. She's booked on the trip. That means her bag gets packed with the same care as mine, and after plenty of road trips (including our fall drive up the coast of Maine), we've figured out exactly what she needs to travel happy, healthy, and safe.
The Short List
Item | Why she needs it | Category | Shop |
Travel dog bowls | Packed and ready for mealtime | Mealtime | |
Dog food travel bag | Bye-bye, ziplock freezer bags | Mealtime | |
Dog travel organizer bag | Meds, skincare, and goodies in one place | Her bag | |
Double dog car seat | Two pups, buckled in safe | On the road | |
Travel dog crate | Keeps her routine on the road | Rest | |
Airline travel bag | For cabin-size pups | On the go | |
AirTag | Peace of mind if she wanders | Safety | |
Waterproof AirTag holder | Keeps the AirTag on her collar | Safety | |
Pumpkin and chia treats | Gentle on sensitive tummies | Snacks | |
Calming treats | For travel-day jitters | Snacks | |
Dental treats | Fresh breath for the car ride | Snacks | |
Round dog bone toy | Every dog's obsession | Toys | |
KONG plush bear | A cozy friend for the ride | Toys | |
KONG stuffing-free bunny | For tough chewers | Toys | |
OUAI dog shampoo | Because your dog is fancy too | Spa day |
Mealtime, sorted
Travel dog bowls
Why she needs them: They're already packed and ready for her next meal, so I'm not hunting for a cereal bowl in a hotel room or a rest stop.
Dog food travel bag
Why she needs it: An upgrade from the ziplock freezer bag situation. Her food stays fresh and sealed, and I'm not wiping kibble crumbs out of the back seat at the end of the trip.
Her bag (yes, she has her own)
Dog travel organizer bag
Why she needs it: Being a bulldog, Beefcake is high maintenance. Between her meds, skincare, and snacks, she needs a real system. This bag keeps all her goodies in one place, so I can grab it from the car and go. Think of it as a diaper bag for a very sophisticated toddler.
On the road
Road trips are our favorite way to travel together. There's no cargo hold, no airline pet fees, and plenty of stops to sniff around. Here's what makes the drive safe and easy.
Double dog car seat
Why she needs it: Sometimes we bring along a friend who also has a dog, and this seat keeps both pups safe and secure in the back seat. It's also much better than two dogs climbing over each other for the window for four hours.
Pro tip: Clip your dog's tether to a harness, never her collar. In a sudden stop, a collar puts all that force on her neck. For flat-faced breeds like bulldogs, a harness is the way to go no matter what.
Travel dog crate
Why she needs it: If your dog is crate trained, you need this. It folds down and sets up easily, and it gives her the same safe little den in a hotel room that she has at home. Sticking to her routine is the fastest way to help a dog settle into a new place.
Airline travel bag
Why it's on the list: Lady is a bit too much bulldog for an under-seat carrier, which is one reason she's a road trip girl. But if your pup is cabin-sized, a good airline travel bag makes flying together a lot calmer.
Good to know: Every airline sets its own size limits for in-cabin pet carriers, and many airlines don't fly snub-nosed breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo at all. Pet policies are one of the first things I check when I plan a trip with a dog, so you never get surprised at the gate.
Peace of mind
AirTag and waterproof AirTag holder
Why she needs them: Don't lose your pooch! Clipping an AirTag to Beefy's collar gives me peace of mind in a new town, a busy rest stop, or a rental with a gate I don't totally trust. The waterproof holder keeps it secure through beach days, puddles, and rain.
Good to know: An AirTag isn't a live GPS tracker. It shows its location through nearby Apple devices, so it works best in towns and cities. Keep an ID tag with your phone number on her collar too.
Snacks for the road
Pumpkin and chia seed dog treats
Why she needs them: These are made with pumpkin and chia seeds, which add fiber that can help dogs with sensitive tummies. I always pack them in case Lady eats something out of the ordinary on a trip (it happens) and ends up with an upset stomach.
Good to know: If your pup's tummy trouble lasts more than a day, call your vet.
Calming treats
Why she needs them: New places, new smells, and long car rides can be a lot. A calming treat before we hit the road helps take the edge off travel-day jitters.
Good to know: Check with your vet before trying calming treats, especially if your dog takes other meds.
Dental treats
Why she needs them: They keep her busy and her breath fresh, which matters a lot when you're sharing a car for five hours.
Toys worth the trunk space
Round dog bone toy
Why she loves it: Dogs go wild for this one. A warning, though: don't buy it if you have more than one dog. It'll be drama.
KONG plush bear
Why she loves it: Every pup needs a cozy friend along for the ride, especially in a hotel bed that doesn't smell like home yet.
KONG stuffing-free bunny
Why she loves it: No stuffing, so no fluff explosion all over the hotel room. The squeaker is practically unkillable, which makes it a toy in itself. It's perfect for tough chewers who destroy every stuffed toy in sight.
Spa day
OUAI dog shampoo
Why she needs it: Because your dog is fancy too. After a beach day or a muddy trail, Lady Beefcake gets the same salon treatment I do. She smells incredible, and she knows it.
She packs the bag. I plan the trip.
The right gear makes traveling with your dog easier. The right trip makes it unforgettable: a hotel that greets your pup by name, trails where dogs are actually allowed, and patios where she's welcome to sit by your feet while you finish a glass of wine.
Pet-friendly travel is one of my specialties at A Trip for One. I'll find the stays that truly want your dog there (not just "allow" her), sort out the pet fees and fine print, and plan the dog-friendly hikes, dinners, and detours in between.
Want my list too? Shop my go-to travel essentials →
Frequently asked questions
What do I need to travel with my dog? Pack travel bowls, food in a sealed travel bag, any meds, a leash and harness, a crate if your dog is crate trained, a dog car seat or seatbelt tether, a familiar toy, treats, poop bags, and an ID tag. An AirTag on the collar adds peace of mind.
What's the safest way for a dog to ride in the car? In the back seat, in a dog car seat or crate, with the tether clipped to a harness instead of a collar. Never let your dog ride in the front seat, and never leave her alone in a parked car.
Can you put an AirTag on a dog? Yes. Many pet owners attach an AirTag to a collar with a waterproof holder. Keep in mind that it isn't a real-time GPS tracker. It finds its location through nearby Apple devices, so keep an ID tag on your dog too.
Can bulldogs fly on planes? It depends on the airline and the dog. Many airlines don't allow bulldogs and other snub-nosed breeds in cargo because of breathing risks, and most bulldogs are too big for an in-cabin carrier. For a lot of bulldog owners, a road trip is the easiest way to travel together.
What can I give my dog for an upset stomach while traveling? Many owners pack fiber-rich treats with pumpkin for sensitive tummies. Bring your dog's regular food so you don't switch diets suddenly on the road, and call your vet if symptoms last more than a day.
What are the best toys for dogs that destroy stuffed toys? Look for stuffing-free plush toys with a durable squeaker, like Lady's KONG bunny. There's no fluff to pull out, and the squeaker keeps going long after other toys give up.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Product details and prices are set by the retailer and may change. Always check with your vet before trying new treats or supplements.
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