Julia Rivera//August 1, 2021
TRAVEL NEEDS
Prior to the pandemic forcing the public and their pets to remain in their homes, pet travel was a year round affair, with companion pets joining their owners on the road for a variety of adventures. COVID-19 made travel difficult, if not impossible, for much of 2021 and the start of this year. Restrictions have gradually loosened, and this bonding opportunity between pet and parent has returned.
With recent data showing the increase in pet parents since the start of the pandemic, things are slowly returning to normal. It’s become clear that more pets than ever will be taking to the road during vacations, road trips and day excursions. However, many of these new pet owners will need guidance and assistance in selecting the essential products for taking their companion animal on the road with them.
Manufacturers have a product for every travel need, and the savvy retailer should be carrying a wide range of accessories for the needs that are expected when a pet is outside of its home environment. Poop bags are an everyday essential, but there are useful products at a travel destination or when a pet is in transit.
What are consumers seeking in their travel accessories? Durability tops the list of what determines a quality product that fits into the category of outdoor accessories. Items such as car seats, steps and outdoor harnesses need to be able to endure the rugged terrain or wear and tear that a pet puts the product through for hours or even days on end. Retailers would be wise to educate their customers on the unique value of travel products, including how carriers should be treated as a pet’s safe space for better preparedness in case of an emergency, as it can make all the difference if one should occur.
The Voyager
The Voyager by A&E Cage Company is a large soft-sided travel carrier that includes a removable perch and shoulder strap. It’s lightweight, has sturdy construction with stainless steel wire mesh, double stitching and no-skid rubber feet.
Gen7 Pathfinder Jogger
Take your pet anywhere with you in the G7 Jogger Pet Stroller. Great for an active family that’s always on the go, the G7 Jogger Pet Stroller holds up to 75 pounds, which makes it perfect for a large dog or a couple of small dogs.
Poop Bag Dispensers
Add a little “pop” to your poop bag dispenser with these stylish poop bag dispensers from Sam and Nala. Conveniently designed to fit a standard roll of dog waste bags (one free roll included), these tidy, hand-loomed dispensers clip easily on to your leash (or belt loop) with a nickel-plated carabiner clip.
Calm Carrier
The Van Ness Calm Carrier with a patented “easy-load drawer” is a new innovation for cat travel. Designed so you and your cat can say goodbye to the fear, anxiety and stress associated with getting your cat in and out of a carrier. The patented sliding drawer makes all the difference.
Road Trip Sticks
Heirloom’s Road Trip Sticks are single-serve sticks that deliver 7 mg of water-soluble, broad spectrum hemp. After studying how mammals digest and absorb hemp extract, Heirloom settled on organically grown, water-soluble broad spectrum hemp that starts to absorb and work faster than other products.
Wrought Iron Travel Carrier for Birds
This durable travel carrier comes with everything you need to keep birds safe and comfortable during travel and transport. It has welded bracket seat belt collars for car travel safety; a bendable rope perch; solid cup doors to prevent spilling; a secure, bird-proof door lock and more.
K9 Courier
With a durable, completely waterproof and muck-proof Armor-sole bottom, the K9 Courier allows owners to comfortably bring their dog (up to 15 pounds) along on any adventure, and the back strap keeps it stable during walks or bike rides. Dogs can stick their head out of the contoured sides to see the way, and there’s extra room to store additional essentials like hydration products, keys and more. The K9 Courier can be set up as a vehicle booster seat.
Relaxopet PRO
Keep your pets relaxed using the Relaxopet PRO. This device uses subliminal sounds and vibrations to keep your pet calm. The sounds are absorbed by the pet’s entire body, so even hard-of-hearing pets can benefit. Perfect for pets that suffer from separation anxiety, fear thunderstorms, car rides, etc.
Animal Essentials Pet Travel Kit
Perfect for traveling with your pet, Animal Essentials offers a Pet Travel Kit to help make it a little easier for you and your fur baby. The kit includes a hemp gusseted, zipper travel bag to carry bottles of Tranquility Blend, Daily Digest and Super Immune formula. It also includes Wellness Bites cookies that can cleanly absorb up to 20 drops of tincture each. The perfect delivery system for Animal Essentials tincture remedies.
Grab & Go Leash Bag
Spruce designs modern, convenient home and travel gear for dogs and people. The company’s products include its ultra-portable Spruce Travel Dog Bed and Recycled Rope Dog Leash. Another popular product, the innovative Grab & Go Leash Bag, helps pet owners get out on walks faster. Spruce is owned and operated by a husband-and-wife design team in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
K9Compass
K9Compass is a tangle-free two dog tie out system that is completely portable and does not require any tools to install. This two dog tie out features a 14-inch spiral stake and a slanted head for an easy, tool-less install. The K9Compass will keep one or two dogs secure and tanglefree; and it is perfect for camping, traveling or hanging at the park with pets. The K9Compass is proudly manufactured in the U.S.A., and comes with a 2-year replacement warranty.
Petmate Ultra Vari Kennel
Made in the U.S.A. from recyclable materials, the Ultra Vari Kennel from Petmate is designed for travel and training, making for the perfect “home within a home.” Taking into account a dog’s natural denning instinct, each kennel is manufactured with the pet’s comfort and safety in mind.
Brutus on the Go
Brutus on the Go is a convenient travelsize powdered version of the original human grade Brutus Bone Broth fortified with glucosamine, chondroitin and turmeric. Add one stick to an eight ounce bottle of water, shake and serve. Once mixed, refrigerate unused portion of bone both for up to 21 days.
Revol Dog Crate
Diggs has recently introduced two new color options, ash and charcoal, for its Revol Dog Crate. The brand also added two new Snooz Pad colors, sand and dark grey, which complement the expanded color palette. Secured through hidden magnets, the Revol Crate Cover protects the crate during travel and keeps dogs feeling more comfortable while inside. The cover’s modular, multi-paneled infrastructure allows owners to choose which sides of the Revol are covered to optimize airflow, visibility and light.
Happy Ride Quilted Bench Seat Cover
The Happy Ride Quilted Bench Seat Cover allows you and your dog to enjoy being on the go together while keeping your car seats free of moisture, muddy paws and pet hair. The padded, quilted cotton twill and leather headrest straps with brass buttons provide extra durability to protect your back seat and added comfort for your best friend. Quickly and easily secure the bench seat cover in place with the adjustable, leather headrest straps and seat anchors. Easily access your seat belts and seat buckles by unzipping the heavy-duty zippers.
Bergan by Coastal
Coastal’s Bergan travel products include crash test-rated auto harnesses in sizes small through extra-large, covering dogs up to 100 pounds; protective liners for a vehicle’s cargo areas, bucket and bench seats (extra wide options for the bench cover and hammock are ideal for larger vehicles); a hanging booster seat; booster and backpack-style carriers; and airline-compatible comfort carriers in small or large.
Aluminum Travel Cage
King’s Cages aluminum cages are anodized so they are scratch and chip resistant. Patented front door lock with hidden magnets ensure the door does not rattle during transit. The prestige of stainless steel but more than half the cost. Sleek and elegant, easy to set up and easy to clean. Aluminum travel bird cages are designed and manufactured exclusively by King’s Cages International, LLC.
NaturVet Quiet Moments
NaturVet offers Hemp Quiet Moments Calming Drops with Hemp Oil for dogs and cats. Veterinarian-formulated with a unique blend of thiamine, L-tryptophan, chamomile, ginger, valerian, lavender and hemp seed oil to help reduce stress and tension while promoting rest and relaxation. Great for storms, fireworks, travel and grooming.
Relax & Calm
Tomlyn’s Relax & Calm is an easyto-give, chicken-flavored chew that helps dogs and cats cope with stressful situations. L-tryptophan and chamomile help promote a sense of calm and relaxation. Ginger helps settle uneasy stomachs that often accompany stress and anxiety in pets. Perfect addition for traveling with a dog or cat.
SturdiBag
The SturdiBag Pro 2.0 series pet carrier is fully machine washable and features exterior rod guide tab closures. It also has enhanced security with its lock hole zipper sliders, a new hairfree interior hook/loop attachments to help to decrease the grabbing and collecting of hair and fur and can be used with luggage or wheeled cart handles. The carrier handle was changed from leather to animal free quality leather-look material.
Harmony
Harmony is an innovative non-drowsy calming supplement for your dog that helps promote a sense of calm and stress-free, relaxing mindset in under 90 minutes. Made from a blend of adaptogens, nootropics and clinically proven ingredients, it comes in handy one-time-use stick packs for on-the-go relaxation for you and your pup. Suitable for all dogs that are ages one year and up.