When travelling with your dog, you want them to be comfortable and enjoy being on the road as much as you do. The trick is taking things that genuinely solve a problem without filling every cupboard with pet gear.
So these are the dog-travel accessories I think make the most sense in a campervan: something for wet dogs, hot weather, sleeping, water, food, a safe resting space and the inevitable poo-bag problem.
Some of the product links in this article are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through one of them I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
OUR CURRENT CAMPERVAN DOG ACCESSORY PICKS
1: Dealing with a wet dog
A wet dog in a small campervan can make everything wet surprisingly quickly. A drying robe is useful because it stays wrapped around the dog while it absorbs water instead of relying on you chasing them around with a towel.
A current example is the SOGGYDOGGY microfibre drying coat. The medium version uses 380gsm microfibre and has adjustable belly, tail and head fastenings. Other sizes are available, so measure your dog rather than guessing from the breed.
I would still keep an ordinary dog towel in the van as well. The robe is for drying the dog; the towel is for paws, floors and all the water that somehow gets everywhere else.
2: Helping your dog stay cool
Hot weather needs more than a gadget: shade, water, airflow and avoiding the hottest part of the day matter far more. But a cooling mat can give your dog another cooler place to choose when you are parked up.
The current Cycayit 65 × 50cm cooling mat is pressure-activated, folds for travel and does not need water, electricity or freezing beforehand. The listing says it is not chew-proof, so it is not a good choice for a dog that bites or chews bedding.
I would not use a quoted “degrees cooler” figure as a buying promise. How cool any mat feels will depend on the mat, the dog and the surrounding temperature.
3: A washable travel bed or blanket
A dog blanket earns its place because it protects the van as well as giving the dog somewhere familiar to settle. For travelling, I would choose something washable and easy to fold rather than a huge domestic bed.
The BREEZENEST foldable pet travel mat is 100 × 70cm, has a fleece side and a waterproof Oxford-fabric side, and folds into its own carry bag. The current listing says it can be machine washed on a cold gentle cycle and air dried.
4: A non-spill water bowl
The Road Refresher non-spill water bowl is designed specifically to reduce spills at home or while travelling.
That is useful in a van because the bowl can stay down while you are parked without every accidental knock putting half its contents on the floor.
5: A collapsible food and water bowl
For walks and days away from the van, a collapsible bowl takes almost no space. The OHMO 800ml collapsible silicone bowl folds down to about 2cm high and can be clipped to a lead or backpack.
The current listing describes it as food-grade silicone and dishwasher safe. As with any bowl, choose a size that suits your own dog rather than simply buying the biggest one.
6: A foldable crate or familiar safe space
Some dogs relax better when they have a familiar enclosed space. A soft crate is easy to store when it is not needed, but it is not the same thing as a crash-tested travel restraint and should not be described as one.
The current Amazon Basics medium folding soft crate measures 76 × 54 × 54cm, has mesh openings, a water-resistant base and a removable fleece pad. It folds down without tools when you need the floor space back.
For travelling while the vehicle is moving, use a restraint or travel system that is actually designed and installed for that purpose.
7: Somewhere to put used poo bags
One unavoidable part of life with dogs is carrying the bag until you find a bin. The Dicky Bag is a simple way to carry used bags until you find a bin.
The small version is made from neoprene with sealed seams, has storage for clean pick-up bags in the lid and can clip to a lead, harness, belt or bag. Most importantly, it means you do not have to spend half a walk swinging a knotted poo bag around while looking for a bin. :-)
A few things I would not overcomplicate
You do not need seven special bits of dog kit to enjoy a campervan trip. A towel, ordinary blanket, food and water bowls and whatever travel restraint you already trust may be enough. The products above are useful where they solve a real problem – wet upholstery, spilled water, lack of storage or nowhere comfortable for the dog to settle.
And if your dog struggles getting in and out of the vehicle, have a look at our campervan dog ramp guide. You may also be interested in the dog-proof options in our campervan windbreak guide.
“In times of joy, all of us wished we possessed a tail we could wag.” – W.H. Auden