Designing for Dogs (and Their Humans): What Inspired Our Travel Mat

The Story Behind Our Travel Mat for Dogs: Designed with Purpose

The days are stretching longer, the sun’s making more appearances (finally!), and the outdoors are starting to feel like the place to be again. Whether you're planning a countryside escape or just soaking up springtime strolls in your local park, chances are you’re spending more time outside with your dog.

That’s exactly where the idea for our Travel Mat began.

Not Just Another Dog Mat: Why We Designed Our Travel Mat Differently

As someone who’s always on the go and not a fan of carrying too many things - I wanted a travel mat that could actually fit into my day-to-day life. Something light, compact, and easy to put into whatever bag I was already carrying, whether that’s a small tote, my work bag, or a travel backpack.

But I wasn’t willing to trade my dog’s comfort for convenience. Most travels mats I saw had to be rolled up and carried as an extra bulky item, or they folded into a bag. These weren’t ideal for a couple of main reasons:

• I didn’t want to unload everything just to lay the mat down.
• Those added zips, buckles, or buttons aren’t paw-friendly. I didn’t want any hard or cold surprises hiding when my dog, Onyx, was lying down. So I started designing a mat with simplicity and comfort at its core.

Built around real needs

Here’s how I brought the Travel Mat to life:

✔ Waterproof base

Because the ground isn’t always dry, but your mat can be. The base layer protects against damp surfaces and keeps your dog comfortable wherever you set it down.

✔ Protective & packable

I tested different fillings until we found the perfect balance - supportive enough to cushion joints, but compact enough to fold neatly into a small bag. Comfort shouldn’t mean bulk.

✔ Hygiene matters

A clean mat is a healthy mat. And to make that achievable, I needed a filling that would hold its shape after repeat washes. The foam I chose can be machine washed at 30°C - and I’ve tested it over and over for half a year. Ours still looks as good as new.

✔Soft, durable surface - Anti-pilling

The top layer feels like wool - soft, cosy, and perfect for those little scrabbling rituals dogs do before settling in. It’s made with advanced Japanese anti-pilling fabric technology, so it stays smooth and neat, even with daily use.

✔ Thoughtful colour choice

I spent more time on this than I expected. I wanted a shade that was light enough to spot dirt easily (so you know when to clean it), but also forgiving enough to hide muddy paw prints in the moment. It had to work for real life.

This Travel Mat wasn’t built in a day. It’s been months of testing, tweaking, and making sure it fits seamlessly into the way we actually live and travel with our dogs.

So wherever you’re headed this spring and summer - from a weekend trip to your favourite dog-friendly café - it’s ready to come along.