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The Ultimate Dog Packing List for Your Next Holiday
There’s nothing better than planning a holiday, and when you’re bringing your furry best friend along, it’s made all the better. But just like you wouldn’t dream of leaving your toothbrush or favourite pair of shoes behind, making sure your dog has everything they need is essential for ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable trip. That’s where our Dog Packing List comes in handy!
Just imagine the puppy eyes your dog will give you if you arrive at your dream destination without their favourite enrichment toy or treat. The same way you pack meticulously for yourself, probably creating your own packing list, we recommend making a dog packing list for your pup. That way, they’ll never be short of all their comforts and necessities.
From the basics like food and water bowls, to their favourite dog puzzle toy, to their comfy bed, our Dog Packing List covers it all. You might not need everything listed here, but we wanted to include as many items as possible, so you didn’t forget anything important to you or your canine companion. And remember, once the boring packing is done, you can relax and enjoy your holiday!
The Complete Dog Packing List
Dog Bed
We all have home comforts we miss while on holiday. There aren’t many for us humans, but our beds are often something we crave when away. It’s the same for your dog. Being able to include their dog bed as part of your dog packing list can make your dog feel more secure and at ease while in an unfamiliar location. Many dogs experience anxiety in unfamiliar places, particularly being surrounded by unusual scents and sounds. But having their favourite sleeping spot close by, which smells just like home, can be all they need to relax and sleep through the night.
We have a number of fantastic dog beds here at WOOOF, including small, medium and large dog beds to suit your dog’s breed. One of our best-sellers is the Zee.Dog Bed; it comes in a range of sizes and colours, is hypoallergenic, anti-scratch and as soft as your dog’s fur. Plus, it’s super easy to clean after those muddy holiday walks.
If you have a big dog, and including a large dog bed as part of your dog packing list isn’t an option, consider taking one of their blankets. A blanket still offers the comforting, familiar scent of their bed and can provide similar benefits, making your dog feel at home no matter where you are.
Dog Food
With all those fun and exciting holiday activities you have planned, your dog is going to work up an appetite no doubt. So don’t forget to add dog food to your dog packing list! Make sure to bring enough food for the entire trip, plus a little extra just in case. We recommend packing your dog’s regular food, as switching up their diet last minute may cause digestive issues. If your dog eats a mixed of wet and dry food, be sure to pack both.
Travelling with raw food can be a bit more challenging, especially if you’re heading out on a long journey. You’ll need to plan around keeping it properly refrigerated or frozen. Alternatively, consider investing in some food toppers to keep your dog’s meals high in nutritional value. They’re super easy to pack, especially those by COYA like the COYA Beef Dog Food Topper. It’s packed full of excellent protein, zinc, iron and vitamins. It’s a great add-on to your dog’s food to keep them happy and healthy.
Water & Food Bowls
A must-have for your dog packing list is your dog’s water and food bowls. Bringing their bowls is essential for their comfort and routine, and by bringing familiar bowls, you can help keep mealtime relaxing and stress-free in new environments. We also recommend bringing collapsible dog bowls with you, especially if you’re planning on going for some nice long walks. Your dog will need to stay hydrated so having water bowls on hand at all times is essential!
Collapsible dog bowls like the Rubber Travel Bowl from Maxbone is a perfect addition to your dog packing list. It’s not only completely collapsible, so it takes up barely any room in your suitcase or rucksack, but it comes with a handy clip so you can attach it to the outside of your bag. This way, when you’re out adventuring with your pooch, you don’t have to stop and rummage through your rucksack to find it. It’s on hand, ready to go whenever your dog needs a water break!
Water Bottle
Going hand in hand with your dog’s food and water bowl is their water bottle. Adding a water bottle specifically for your dog to your dog packing list is fundamental. It means they’ll have access to fresh, clean water at all times, which is crucial for their health and hydration. You can shop them in a range of sizes, so they’ll accompany you easily on car rides, hikes and long walks.
The Dog Water Travel Bottles by Springer are perfect, since they hold a large amount of water inside and come with a “bowl” already attached. The top of the bottle is cleverly shaped like a bowl so all you need to do is squeeze, allowing your dogs to drink from the top, and then release to drain back into the bottle. It means no water waste and includes a carabiner for easy clipping to your backpack, bag, or lead.
Lead, Collar & Harness
Another essential for your dog packing list is your dog’s lead and collar. These items are crucial for keeping your dog safe and secure during your fun-filled travels. We recommend bringing a couple of different leads and collars with you, as we all know, it’s not uncommon for dogs to cover their attire in mud, sand and water. Having spares allows you to rotate them while the others dry out.
Since you’re going on holiday, likely somewhere others don’t know you or your dog, it’s important to ensure your dog’s collar has their tag attached to them. Make sure the tag is engraved with your contact details, so in the unlucky event your pup gets away, they’ll find their way back to you.
We also recommend adding a good quality harness to your dog packing list, especially if your dog tends to pull. No one wants to spend their holiday being dragged around by their pup, so consider a front-clip harness like the No-Pull Dog Harness from Pawshtails. This design has a clip on both the front and back, the former being particularly helpful in gently guiding your dog back to you when they pull.
Travel Crate or Carrier
If your dog isn’t the biggest fan of travelling, especially in the car, adding a dog travel crate or carrier to your dog packing list could be really useful. If you’ve crate trained your pup since they were young, bringing their safe space along provides them with a familiar and comforting environment to keep them feeling anxiety-free during the excitement of travel. Crates and carriers will also prevent your dog from moving around in the car, which can be a distraction and safety hazard while you drive. You can also use your dog’s carrier as a bed too! When you arrive at your destination, the familiar place will make it easier for them to adjust to their new surroundings.
Car Seat Cover
If your pooch is a little large for a carrier, or maybe just prefers the freedom of having the back seat to themselves, we highly recommend including a car seat cover onto your dog packing list. Instead of risking your pup falling into the footwell or ripping your precious car seats with their claws, provide them with a comfortable non-slip surface that helps them stay secure and relaxed during car rights.
Car seats, especially those with anti-slip surfaces like our Dog Car Hammock Seat Protector, can also help ease motion sickness in dogs. They can still look out the window, but don’t get thrown around like they would if they were completely loose. This design is also waterproof, so your seats are protected after those muddy and sandy walks, and it comes with storage pockets for your dog’s favourite snacks and accessories.
Poo Bags
Dog poo bags are something no dog owner wants to leave from their dog packing list! Not only are they crucial for maintaining cleanliness during your travels, but they’re also a legal requirement. Here in the UK, failing to pick up your dog's mess can result in a fine of up to £100, and let’s be honest, that’s not going to make a great start to any holiday.
Dog poo bag dispensers are incredibly useful and make the task much easier. Many dispensers can be attached to the outside of your bag, allowing for quick and convenient access when your dog suddenly decides it's time for a pit stop. We love the Poo Bag Carrier Dispenser by Wild One. It comes in 13 fun colours and with an elastic strap to easily attach onto any leash or bag.
Interactive Dog Toys
No dog packing list is complete without an interactive dog toy or two. Dog puzzles and dog food toys keep your pup mentally and physically engaged which is especially important when you’re travelling. With routine and environmental changes, it’s understandable for your pup to become anxious or overexcited. With interactive enrichment toys for dogs, you can provide entertainment and distract them from all the sensory excitement going on around them.
Lick mats are perfect for travelling, since they’re flat, compact and easy to pack. These textured mats can be smothered with all your dog’s favourite treats like peanut butter, yoghurt or pumpkin powder paste and topped with treats and toppers to create a mouthwatering feast. You can even freeze the dog lick mat to make it last longer. We particularly love the Project Hive Lick Mat and Dog Disc, as it works as two enrichment toys in one. On one side you have a textured surface to be used as a lick mat, and on the other, the side is smooth and works as a fun, flying frisbee!
Dog treat dispensers are another handy add-on to your dog packing list. During those evenings when you’re ready to relax, it can be useful to give your dog a fun enrichment toy filled with their favourite goodies as a reward for being “such a good dog”. These dog puzzle toys work by having space inside for treats, which then need to be manipulated by your pooch to get them out. The KONG Rewards Ball Treat Dispenser is a good one for those of you looking for unbreakable dog toys, as it’s super durable and dispenses the treats as your dog moves it around.
Another enriching game for your dog's packing list is dog-safe bubbles. Bubbles for dogs are perfectly suited to the summer months. Watching your dog chase and pop bubbles is really fun for both you and your pup, and a great way to keep them active and happy. However, it’s important to use bubbles specifically formulated for dogs. Regular human bubbles or household products like dish soap can be harmful if ingested or if they come into contact with your dog's skin. Dog bubbles like those from Meaty Bubbles are made from safe, non-toxic ingredients and come in a variety of flavours such as roast chicken, strawberries and cream and even birthday cake!
Dog Treats
Things like your dog’s food and bedding is typically easy to remember on your dog packing list, but dog treats can easily slip the mind! They’re a must for your travel adventures, as they enhance both yours and your dog’s experience. They can be used for rewards during walks, a way to encourage good behaviour or simply to give your dog a little extra joy. We also love using them in our treat dispensers to keep our dogs mentally stimulated during downtime.
For a practical and tasty option, consider SNAPS! Natural Veggie Dog Training Treats in Sweet Potato & Peanut Butter. These treats are perfect for those on-the-go activities, as you can easily snap off a chunk to reward your dog during walks or beach time. They’re not only delicious but they’re low in fat and made with natural ingredients including vitamin B6, vitamin C, and manganese.
Dog Towels
Does your dog tend to spot the puddles and mud before you do? Ours too. Or maybe your dog simply likes to enjoy a swim in the river or sea. If that’s the case, you really ought to add some dog towels to your dog packing list. Dog towels are incredibly useful for quickly absorbing moisture and mud, especially those made from microfibre. They not only help to keep your dog clean, but also your car and accommodation!
For those pampered pooches, consider packing a dog bathrobe as well. After a seaside escapade, you can wrap your furry friend in a cosy dog dressing gown to keep them warm and snug. It’s a cute and practical addition to your dog packing list that adds a bit of luxury to their post-adventure routine.
Grooming Products
We’re not expecting you to take full bottles of shampoo, four different types of dog brushes and a special dog conditioner on your holiday, but it’s still good to add some dog grooming essentials to your dog packing list. For example, your dog’s favourite brush might be worth adding to their suitcase, especially if you’re planning on letting your dog go swimming. It’s easy for long-haired breeds to get their fur knotted when they’re out exploring, so having a dog brush handy can be super beneficial.
If you don’t want to take dog shampoo with you, consider taking one of our on-the-go dog grooming products like the Bamboo Dog Wipes from Beco. Made from 100% bamboo, so totally compostable, and infused with shea butter and aloe vera, these convenient wipes make it easy to clean up the muckiest of pups while out and about. Use them to wipe out ears, their eyes or even their paws after a muddy walk. Our Tick Twister for Dogs is another dog grooming accessory worth adding to your dog packing list. It’s only small, so will fit in even the fullest of bags, and allows you to remove those pesky ticks safely and easily.
Weather-Appropriate Gear
Finally, make sure your dog packing list includes any dog accessories that might be beneficial to the climate you’re going to be exploring. We hope it doesn’t – but just in case it’s forecast to rain – you might want to consider taking some towels or even a waterproof coat for your dog to keep them dry and warm. We love the Navy Dog Cape from The Painter’s Wife; it’s perfect for Large Dogs and is even lined with soft cotton to protect your pup from humidity.
More importantly, if it’s going to be warm where you’re travelling, we highly recommend adding some dog cooling products to your dog packing list. Accessories like dog cooling mats are fantastic for keeping your dog’s body temperature where it should be, helping them to not overheat and stay comfortable. The Pet Ice Lolly Toy is another fun cooling product for dogs. It can be filled with water and frozen, keeping your pup cool, entertained and even help to relieve sore gums.
Conclusion
There you have it, the ultimate dog packing list to ensure your furry friend is as ready for your holiday as you are! With these goodies packed, you can rest easy knowing that your pup will be well-prepared for every adventure and cosy moment along the way. From their favourite bed to that indispensable enrichment toy, each item on your dog packing list is designed to make the trip smoother and more enjoyable for both of you.
We hope you have the most amazing holiday, and don’t forget, if you find yourself in need of any last-minute additions to your dog packing list or want to stock up on some fun and engaging dog enrichment toys, don’t forget to visit WOOOF.co.uk. We’ve got a wide range of products to keep your pup entertained and happy on the go.
The Author: Charlotte Harris
Charlotte has been a writer and dog owner all her life, so combining these two things together is a dream come true. The love of her life is her oversized Golden Retriever, Milo, who has a love of tough chews and anything filled with peanut butter!
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What should I do if my dog gets anxious while traveling?
It’s totally normal for your dog to experience some travel anxiety. Dogs are used to firm and unmoving ground, so don’t worry if your pup seems a little nervous on your road trip. To help them ease into it, consider bringing their favourite toys and blankets in the car so the familiar scent can help relax then. Gradual desensitisation to car trips, along with regular breaks, can also help.
What documents or vaccinations should I have for traveling with my dog?
This isn’t an easy one to answer! Every destination has different regulations, so you are best to check the travel requirements for your region. If you’re heading abroad, you’ll typically need a rabies vaccination certificate and possibly a health certificate from your vet. Some destinations might also require microchipping or additional vaccinations.
What should I have on my dog packing list for a beach vacation?
For a beach trip, your dog packing list should include items such as a towel for drying them off after a relaxing swim, a portable water bowl for keeping hydrated and some dog cooling products such as a cooling mat to help them bring down their temperature after a good run around in the sun. You’ll also need a sturdy lead and harness and some poo bags to keep our beaches clean.
