If you’re hitting the road with your dog, you’ve probably already researched what you should bring. Well, here’s another list to add to your research. After living in my van for the past 6 months with my dog Ari, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite and most used items for vanlife with a dog (in no particular order).
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Table of Contents
1. Flexible Paw Washer
I love these flexible ones over the cup ones because I can squish it around my dog’s paw to ensure that all of the dirt and grim come off. In the past, I’ve purchased the cup versions but ended up never using it because it was way too bulky and it never truly cleaned my dog’s paw. The flexible paw washer is easy to store just about anywhere and it uses very little water!
2. Seat Covers
This one is a must for me. My dog sheds a ton and has never met a puddle he didn’t love. Having a seat cover makes it so much easier to clean the front cab of my van. I just throw it in the wash and my seats are as good as new!
3. Harness
I know there’s a lot of conversations around harness or no harness in the dog community. I am team harness. I always look for something that’s easy to put on, durable enough to go in a washing machine.
When my dog was a puppy, our dog trainer recommended the 2 Hounds Design Freedom No Pull Harness and I love it! My dog is now 7 and still wears his. I’ve purchased 3 over the past 7 years (mainly to change colors or buy a new size as he was growing when he was younger). They have never malfunctioned.
As a bonus the leashes come with a clasp on both ends to easily hook it up to the two rings on the harness to shorten the amount of slack for your dog. But I love the extra clasp when I’m taking my dog to a brewery or outdoor restaurant because I can easily secure the leash to my chair or table without needing to unhook it from the harness.
4. An ID Tag That’s Easy to Read
One of the biggest disadvantages to living on the road is not having a stable community. In a house, your neighbors will likely recognize your dog if they run away. Or you can list your address and someone will be able to drive your dog back to your home. On the road, that doesn’t exist. I always make sure my dog tag has a big font with my dog’s name and my phone number.
Sometimes I travel to places with zero cell reception so I also have a note that my dog is microchipped so that they have additional contact info if needed. There are a ton of options on Etsy. I have this one and love it!
5. Nail Trimmers and a Nail Dremel
If you’re traveling long term, you’re definitely going to want something to trim your dog’s nails. I trim my dog’s nails about every week (let’s be honest… I’m not trimming every nail once a week, but I usually do 3-5 nails at a time). I like to use the trimmers to get the nail closer to the quick. Then I go in with the dremel to make sure I’m getting it as short as possible without cutting the quick.
Side note: if you use a dremel, be sure to file down the nail in short quick movements. If you hold it in one spot too long it will heat up the nail, which can be pretty painful.
6. Multiple Types of Leashes
I have 3 different types of leashes with me at all times in my van.
I use the typical 6-foot leash when exploring new parks, walking around the towns that we drive through and sometimes on more casual walks around our campsites. I actually have a couple on hand at all times.
The longer leash comes in handy when I want to let my dog roam a little bit, but want to make sure he doesn’t get too far while I’m working, cooking, or just relaxing. I also love to use longer leashes when we’re by something that will be a distraction for him. My dog has great recall, but it’s not bulletproof. So in those instances where there are distractions that I know affect his recall the longer leash still lets him explore while being safe.
I also like to keep an overhead cable leash with me to set up at our campsites. I love this setup because my dog usually has more room to roam than if he were just on a long leash AND I don’t have to worry about it getting tangled up because it’s mounted 6 feet in the air.
Side note: I would go with a shorter length rather than a longer one. I previously bought one that was 100ft and it was so difficult to manage all of that rope. 50ft. should do the trick most of the time!
7. Waterproof Mattress Pad
If you have a dog and you live in your van, make sure you have a waterproof mattress pad on your bed! Accidents happen, but with this simple addition, you can sleep easy knowing your bed is protected for upset tummies, wet paws and anything else that can (and probably will) happen when you live with your dog.
8. Extra Sheets
Along the lines of the mattress pad, I went a little overboard and packed 3 sets of sheets in my van. Ok ok ok… hear me out. I like to have clean sheets every week, but I don’t like to do laundry every week. So, I have 2 sets of sheets to get me through 2 weeks and an extra set for those just-in-case moments. Honestly, the sheets don’t take up that much room and I’ve already used my spare set more than once!
9. “Dry” Dog Shampoo
My dog can go several weeks before he needs a bath, but sometimes the day’s adventures stay with him. I came across this “dry” waterless shampoo and fell in love! It’s the perfect solution to freshen up his coat – especially after swimming in freshwater and saltwater.
Tip: a little goes a long way.
10. Sturdy Dog Dishes
In a chaotic space like a van, durability is key. Make sure your dog’s dishes are drop-proof, step-proof and tumble-proof. I really like these heavy-duty metal dishes for my dog’s food and water.
I keep one in the base of my shower to catch any drips after my dog is done drinking and another on the floor with his food. The grips on the bottom stop it from sliding around while I’m driving and the heavy duty design stops them from tipping over when my dog eats or drinks.
11. Airtight Dog Food Container
Ok, so we already know that a van is a small place to live in, but it feels even smaller if you can’t get rid of strong smells like your dog’s food. Make sure to get an airtight container to store dog food not only to keep it fresh for your pup, but also to keep your home smelling fresh. Trust me, your nose will thank you.
12. High-Quality Dog Food
You may have thought “duh” when you saw this heading, but I felt it was important to include. Nutrition is such an important part of your dog’s quality of life. As a pet owner, it is extremely difficult to understand what dog food is the “best” for your dog. A good place to start is checking to see if your dog food is WSAVA compliant.
Personally, I love the brand Zignature. It has a variety of formulas to meet any dietary need your pup may have. I’ll often switch between the Zignature Zssential and Lamb formulas.
13. Dental Chews
My dog HATES getting his teeth brushed. While I try to brush his teeth as often as possible, dental chews have helped a ton in reducing build up and keeping his breath fresh. My dog’s go-to favorites are the Kirkland dental chews. I usually pick them up at Costco, but you can also get them online if that’s easier!
14. Yummy Treats
Just because we’re on the road, doesn’t mean my dog’s training stops. We’re always working on the basics to encourage good behavior – especially since we’re constantly in new environments. I actually like to buy air dried limited ingredient dog food and use it as treats instead of buying actual dog treats. I’ve noticed that I can often get limited ingredient jerky-style “treats” at a lower price than if I were to buy actual treats that met that same standard.
15. Cozy Dog Bed
Creating a dedicated spot for your dog is essential. A dog bed is not just a comfy place to take a nap but also a safe space during drives (no more wandering back and forth not being able to settle down). I also like to keep a dog bed in my van to mark a specific location when training my dog to recognize his “spot” or “place” command.
Tip: I always look for one that is easy to wipe off or one that has a cover that is machine washable.
If you’ve made it this far, thank you! I hope you found this useful to help plan your upcoming adventures with your pup!
