Ahh, Summertime in Texas—full of hiking, swimming, park sessions, and road trips. And, we've got just the stuff for all your pet's needs.

From must-have cooling gear to top harness picks from our team, here is your All-In-One Guide to Pet Gear for dogs and cats.

Guide to Pet Gear

Unsure where to start? We are here to help!

Here is Team Tomlinson's favorite pet gear and why we love them for our own dogs and cats. You can even save it to your device by clinking the button below. Use it on your next shopping trip to Tomlinson's Feed. 

Collars, Harnesses, & Leashes

  Collars

Easy topic, but we do have our team favorites!

Tomlinson's Pro Tip: Breakaway collars are designed to unfasten when something pulls on them with force, which can help keep cats safe from injury or choking if they get caught on something outdoors. We highly recommend them for all kitties.

- Major Darling Breakaway Cat Collar

- Major Darling Martingale Dog Collar

- Lupine Dog Collar - Old faithful, tried & true!

  Harnesses

Harnesses are the safest way to take Fido or friendly-kitties out on a walk or run. A secure, well-fitting harness will keep your pet safe, especially on rocky hill country trails. 

We have a few favorite harnesses that have all been through the ringer of hikes and still stand up to the test today:

- RC Pets Adventure Teal Kitty Harness *Comes with a leash!

- 2 Hounds Freedom No-Pull Black Dog Harness

- Ruffwear Swamp Cooler Graphite Gray Dog Harness

- Ruffwear Front Range Basalt Gray Dog Harness

  Leashes

Along with your harness, always have a leash! While there are some off-leash areas in Central Texas, most trails and parks on on-leash. Make sure you have one handy when you and your pet are out and about. Here is our top favorites:

- Ruffwear Roamer River Rock Green Bungee Dog Leash - Great for loose lead pups!

- RC Pets Adventure Teal Kitty Harness - Comes with a light weight, long leash!

To slip lead or not to slip lead? 

A slip lead can be nifty in a pinch but shouldn't be used for your every-walk leash. While handy, slip leads are uncomfortable and unsafe for dogs that pull excessively.

Slip leads are great to use if your pet is going a short distance, if you forgot a normal leash, or for dogs in training. We have one packed in our first-aid kit 👍

  Pet I.D. Tag

Never let your pet leave the house without one. Good thing we have customizable Pet I.D. Tags in store! Swing by your local Tomlinson's.

  Poo Bags, Holders, Carriers

Here in Austin, there is up to a $500 fine for lawbreakers who don't scoop the poo! Always pick up after your doggo by scooping and disposing of their poop bags properly. Just attach a Poo Bag holder, like this Team favorite here, to your leash and you'll never forget baggies again.

While our baggies are biodegradable, they are not to be thrown back into the woods. The great outdoors should look like the great outdoors, not your pup's personal litter box. If you're far from a trash bin or waste station, snag a poop carrier on your next shopping trip. This attaches to your leash and holds onto both used poop bags so you don't have to!

Poo Bags aren't just for dogs! Having some on hand at the litter box for cats makes cleaning 10x easier. We highly recommend these larger, easy-tie bags.

 Treat Bags

A must-have for in-trainings pups! This durable treat bag clips easily to your belt and has a structured opening allowing you to grab treats quickly.

Outdoor Apparel

 Life Jackets

Love pool parties, trips to the Greenbelt, or the boat? Life Jackets, like these from RC Pets, are a necessity. With grab handles, these make it easy to pull your dog out of the water in an emergency. 

Shop all Life Jackets here!

 Dog Booties

One surefire way to prevent paw pad burns is to invest in a pair of pet booties. And after a few awkward attempts at walking, your pet will get used to them! These are essential if you have an active dog in Texas. Here's why...

Paw pads are more than just cute cushions. They provide important protection for bones, joints, and tissue deep within the paws. Burning these beans can result in painful injury! Make sure to keep them safe and happy by checking the walking path for excessive heat before heading out for a stroll.

It's all about checking the temperature. Place your hand palm down on the surface. If it's too hot for your hand after 30 seconds, it's definitely too hot for your pet's delicate paws.

Learn the symptoms and how to treat paw pad burns here! 

  Vest, Bandanas, & Gaiters

Even though a pet's coat helps regular their body temperature, the Texas heat is sometimes no match. Cooling gear and apparel like vests, bandanas, and gaiters will keep your pooch cool as a cucumber for hours.

If you're looking for an immediate fix, and our free same-day delivery doesn't work, just use a towel, t-shirt, or bandana! Soak the item in water and pop it in the freezer. Use as you would any bandana or vest. It might not last hours, like these products, but it will do the job for quick outing.

Traveling

 Travel Bowls

A Travel Bowl is an essential for dog parents. Compact and lightweight, they will come in handy when you're on the trail or vacation. These work great for on-the-go feeding or water breaks.

Still need a travel bowl? We've got one!

 Light Collars

This gear isn't mandatory, but a collar light is a great addition to night walks. Check out Nite Ize, they have rechargeable collars, bandanas, lights, and even toys.

  Kennels & Carriers

Whether you utilize them in your normal routine or not, we recommend adding a kennel or carrier to your packing list. Safety and comfort for our pets should be a top priority for pet parents. And when on the road, kennels and carriers make it easier, safer, and less stressful to transport your dog or cat to and from.

Fill your dog's crate or carrier with a chew-safe bed or mat and their favorite toy for long-distance coming and going. When staying overnight in a crate, be sure to remove any toys. Stress can lead to over-chewing and toys can become choking hazards.

For our feline friends, ensure the carrier is large enough for them to stand up in. Cats spend most of their time in carriers laying down so make sure to put a towel or blanket down. The scent of home will soothe them on a perhaps stressful venture out and about.

  Beds

When choosing a bed, ask yourself two things: Is the bed easy to clean? Does it fit in their kennel?

For an at-home bed, you'll want something comfy, "den" like, and easy to clean. We look for beds with an edge, like this donut bed for dogs or this cup bed for cats. These types of beds have raised edges for head and neck support and a soft center to relax tired muscles.

But for travel, go for quick cleaning! From muddy paws to potty accidents, you'll want a machine washable, moisture-wicking, stain-resistant pet bed that duos as a comfy sleep spot. Thankfully those are easy to find at Tomlinson's!

Having a dual bed and kennel mat, especially one that smells of home, will make being in their den comfortable and transport much easier to manage. 

Toys for Active Pets

 Active Toys

Are toys gear? Well, these two sure are. If you have an active dog, these picks from our team will keep them entertained and tuckered out. Plus, they will last your pet years - my dog's Snoop is going on 3 years!

1. Squishy Face Blue Flirt Pole V2 - Think of this as a dog-sized cat toy. Dogs with a high prey drive will dive head first into this toy.

2. Snoop Dog Toy - A snoop is the ultimate toy for dogs that are food forward. This machine washable toy will give them mental stimulation during meal time.

 Cooling Toys

These frozen toys are great for an afternoon outside! Simply soak or fill with water, freeze and your pup can relax while keeping cool and comfortable.

Shop our cooling toy collection here!

 Floating Toys

No one wants to loose the ball during fetch, especially your dog. Make sure to have at least one floating toy when you're going on a swim-venture.

We have plenty to choose from!

First-Aid Essentials

Even the most sure-footed pup can have an accident on the hiking trail or get in a tussle at the dog park. And, while unlikely, local wildlife (like snakes) could even spook your dog and put them in a position of sustaining an injury.

That's why having the necessities on hand to clean a superficial wound or provide immediate care in a major emergency is important for all Texas Central pet parents. This topic deserves it's own write-up - check out our team's 16 First-Aid Must-Haves.

Ready for an adventure?

Tomlinson's is your go-to pet supply store for natural, healthy pet products in Austin and the Central Texas region. Don't want to leave the couch? No worries, we'll even deliver your order today, for free!

Visit our shop full of products sold through team members trained in animal nutrition.