Planning to hit the road with your four-legged friend soon?
Whether you’re taking a road trip to the coast or crossing the Channel, preparation is key. Even if you’re lucky enough to own a dog who travels well, there are still plenty of ways to prepare both of you for a smooth and stress-free journey.
Below, we’ve covered some of the most essential items to pack, logistics to navigate, and habits to follow when you’re on the road with your dog.
Why choose dog-friendly holidays?
To reframe the question, why would you go on holiday and leave your dog in kennels? Travelling with your pooch means you can explore a new place together, make amazing memories, and still reap all the benefits of spending quality time away from the daily routine.
Dog-friendly travel means forests, fields, beaches, cafés, pubs, and all the usual things you’d expect to enjoy on holiday – just with your dog beside you. It can be daunting or even challenging if it’s your first time, so it’s worth thinking carefully ahead.
Pre-trip vet checks and paperwork
Booking a pre-travel vet check-up is essential if you’re going abroad or travelling for a few weeks. This will ensure your dog is fit for travel and up to date on their vaccinations.
For overseas adventures, you’ll need to arrange their pet passport or animal health certificate, which may be legal pet travel requirements depending on your destination. These could include rabies vaccinations, microchipping, and tapeworm treatment. For travel within the UK, it’s still worth keeping a copy of your dog’s vaccination records with you on the move.
Packing the essentials
Now it’s time to start preparing the most important items for your dog. These include all the essentials:
- Food and water bowls
- Leads and collars
- ID tags and torches
- Pet first-aid kit for minor injuries on the move
- Poop bags and cleaning wipes
- Towels and soft bedding
- Any required medication
- Daily food allowance and spares
In the car, you’ll need to create a safe and cosy space that your dog feels happy travelling in. It’s worth browsing large dog beds for comfort and purpose-built travel crates, which can be combined into a secure travel setup. Adding a few familiar toys and blankets will help them feel at home.
Find dog-friendly activities and accommodation
It’s time to get planning your holiday! Even though the number of dog-friendly hotels, holiday rentals and campsites only seem to be growing, it’s worth using pet filters on accommodation apps like Airbnb.
If you’d prefer to stay in advance, make sure to call in advance and compare the best rooms and their pet policies. Some hotels may allow your pooch to be left alone, while others might not. It’s always worth double-checking if they charge any extra fees too.
Calling restaurants or gastropubs in advance to let them know your dog will be joining you is always appreciated too.
Have a wonderful time together!
There’s always an element of managing your dog’s behaviour on holiday, as they might need some support in adjusting to their new surroundings and change of routine.
But the most important reason to go on holiday is to relax and enjoy yourself! Make time to share in activities you both love, and make sure you take plenty of photographs while you’re there. Take things slowly and appreciate the quality time together.
With thoughtful preparation, travelling with your dog means getting ready for memorable and stress-free adventures together.
