Travel has gone to the dogs! Doggy parents always have their tailed darlings on their minds while trotting the globe. While traveling with a dog is fun, anyone who has ever traveled with a pawed one in tow knows that some extra preparation is required. Technology can help.
Being tech-savvy can make bringing your pet along easier, more organized, and more fun! What’s more, dog parents can use some cool tech tools to keep tabs on their pups even when they can’t bring them along on trips. What are the techy travel essentials for dog parents? Take a look at the five must-have travel gadgets and gizmos for Fido!
1. A Smart Dog Collar
A smart dog collar can help you stay connected to your dog from near or far! Smart collars allow you to keep an eye on your dog using a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection that syncs up with your phone. Most smart collars for dogs are equipped with GPS systems that allow you to track your dog’s whereabouts. Many smart collars for dogs also enable you to collect information about how much exercise your dog is getting – The Pampered Pup has a good breakdown of the options available t0 dog owners.
2. A Smart Vacuum
If you have a four-legged one who sheds, a smart vacuum is a must-have item! If you’re having a dog sitter come over to watch your dog while you’re away, you may feel weird about asking the sitter to vacuum your house. However, you know that the mess will be out of control if you let the floors “go” while you’re away. The solution? A smart vacuum that completes a vacuuming routine at the same time every day without any human supervision! A smart vacuum is also smart if you like to take your dogs on vacation. If you’re staying at an Airbnb rental, you can avoid negative feedback from the host by bringing along your own smart vacuum to take care of any signs of pet fur on the floors effortlessly while you’re out hiking, sightseeing, or swimming in the ocean!
3. A Pet Speaker
Does your dog get a little antsy while traveling? Bring a calm mood with you anywhere you go with a mobile Bluetooth speaker that can broadcast songs and sounds that are soothing to dogs! Yes, certain tunes are actually proven to sound like calming magic to the sensitive ears of dogs. This can be a great tool if you’re bringing your dog on a long drive, traveling in an RV, staying in a pet-friendly hotel, or checking into a short-term rental for a while. If you’re leaving your dog home with a caretaker, a soothing speaker can help you to calm a dog’s nerves when separation anxiety kicks in.
4. A Selfie Stick
Keep an open mind about this one! If you’re taking your dog along on a vacation, you’re going to want to capture special moments with sweeping views. However, anyone who has ever tried to take a selfie with a dog knows that things can get wiggly. Having a selfie stick will allow you to get your dog in the shot without needing to be forceful about “smooshing” your dog in the frame. You can even find special dog-selfie attachments that use things like tennis balls or wiggly toys to get your dog to look at the camera! These little tools help to ensure that you get the perfect shot the first time when you’re posing with your pooch!
5. A Self-Cooling Dog Pad
If you’re heading to a tropical locale with your pup, consider a self-cooling mat that offers a refreshing place to relax! While a cooling mat is never intended to be a replacement for maintaining a safe temperature for your dog using air conditioning, fans or fresh air, this nifty accessory does feel like a cool dose of paradise for dogs. Most mats cool down dogs by using a cooling liquid that is activated by the pressure of your dog’s body weight. A cooling mat can be used as a dog bed away from home. In addition, mats often fit nicely into dog crates.
Being a Traveling Dog Parent Takes Planning
Any dog parent knows that planning a trip always takes a little something extra when a four-legged companion is involved. The good news is that you have plenty of tech tools to make your journey smart and seamless! Add these five techy travel essentials for dog owners to your list of must-pack items before you hit the road again!