Forgetting something essential can spoil a holiday. This comprehensive checklist ensures you pack everything your dog needs, from absolute essentials to helpful extras. Print it, tick it off, and travel with confidence.
Essential Documents
Must Have
- Pet insurance policy/card
- Insurance emergency contact number
- Vaccination records
- Dog's microchip number
- Regular vet contact details
- Emergency vet details at destination
- Any medication prescriptions
Helpful
- Photo of dog (for identification if lost)
- Pet passport (EU travel only)
- Accommodation booking confirmation
Feeding
Essential
- Dog food (enough for entire trip plus extra)
- Food bowls
- Water bowl
- Treats
- Any food supplements used
Helpful
- Collapsible travel bowls
- Non-slip bowl mat
- Airtight food container
- Treats for training/rewards
- Long-lasting chews (for settling)
Sleeping and Comfort
Essential
- Dog bed OR familiar blankets
- Something with home scent
Helpful
- Extra blanket (for furniture protection)
- Cooling mat (summer)
- Hot water bottle cover (winter)
- Crate/travel crate (if used)
- Crate bedding
Walking and Control
Essential
- Collar with ID tag (legal requirement)
- Lead
- Poo bags (more than you think!)
- Harness (if used)
Helpful
- Spare collar
- Spare lead
- Long line (for recall practice/restricted areas)
- Reflective gear (winter)
- High-vis jacket or collar
- Head torch (dark walks)
ID and Tags
Essential
- ID tag with mobile number (not home number)
- Microchip registered with current details
Before Travel
- Update ID tag with holiday contact number
- Ensure microchip details are current
Travel Supplies
For the Journey
- Water bottle and bowl
- Poo bags
- Towel
- Treats
- Favourite toy
- Travel sickness medication (if needed)
- Familiar blanket
Vehicle Restraint (Essential)
- Crate OR
- Dog guard OR
- Seatbelt harness
- Secure travel method (legal requirement)
Helpful
- Car seat cover
- Portable water bottle with bowl attachment
- Window shade
- Ramp (for older dogs)
Health and First Aid
Essential
- Current medications (extra supply)
- Tick remover
- Poo bags
- Basic first aid items
First Aid Kit Contents
- Sterile gauze pads
- Bandage roll
- Medical tape
- Antiseptic wipes
- Tweezers
- Blunt-ended scissors
- Disposable gloves
- Digital thermometer
- Tick remover tool
- Emergency blanket
Helpful
- Antihistamine (vet-recommended)
- Eye wash
- Ear cleaner
- Paw balm
- Wound wash/saline
- Vet-recommended pain relief
Grooming
Essential
- Multiple towels (for drying wet dogs)
Helpful
- Brush/comb
- Dog shampoo
- Nail clippers
- Ear cleaning supplies
- Paw cleaning supplies
- Lint roller (for furniture)
Weather Protection
Hot Weather
- Cooling mat
- Cooling coat
- Shade options
- Paddling pool (if garden)
- Dog-safe sunscreen (vulnerable areas)
- Extra water supplies
Cold Weather
- Dog coat/jacket
- Waterproof coat
- Fleece for extra warmth
- Paw protection (for salt/grit)
- Extra drying towels
Wet Weather
- Waterproof coat
- Multiple drying towels
- Dog drying coat/robe
- Boot room mat
Entertainment
Helpful
- Favourite toys
- Kong or similar (for settling)
- Puzzle feeder
- Balls/fetch toys
- Rope toys
- Chew toys
Accommodation-Specific
For Cottages
- Stair gate (if needed)
- Dog towels
- Blankets for furniture protection
- Cleaning supplies for accidents
For Hotels
- Everything more compact
- Quiet toys
- Settling aids
For Camping
- Dog's own sleeping mat/bed
- Extra blankets
- Tie-out stake or anchor
- Long lead for campsite
- Portable water bowl
See our Camping guide for more camping-specific advice.
Activity-Specific
Beach Holidays
- Extra towels
- Fresh water (lots)
- Shade options
- Ball for beach play
- Dog-safe sunscreen
- Rinse bottle for salt water
Hiking Trips
- Dog backpack (optional, for carrying own supplies)
- Portable water container
- High-energy treats
- First aid kit
- Paw protection
- Reflective gear
Water Activities
- Dog life jacket
- Quick-dry towels
- Extra leads
- Ear cleaning supplies
See our Water Activities guide for more.
Winter Holidays
- Warm coat
- Waterproof layer
- Paw balm
- Booties (for snow/salt)
- Extra towels
- Fleece or thermal layer
See our Winter guide for seasonal advice.
Technology
Helpful
- GPS tracker (if used)
- Spare tracker batteries/charger
- Phone numbers saved
- Maps downloaded for offline use
- Torch/head torch
Pre-Travel Checklist
Before Leaving
- Flea/tick treatment up to date
- Worming up to date
- Vaccinations current
- Microchip details updated
- ID tag has holiday contact number
- Pet insurance valid
- Enough medication for trip
- Emergency vet at destination identified
Car Ready
- Vehicle restraint system fitted
- Water and bowl accessible
- Poo bags accessible
- Towel for stops
- Route planned with rest stops
Quick Reference Lists
Absolute Minimum
If you had to grab just the essentials:
- Food and water bowls
- Dog food
- Lead and collar with ID
- Poo bags
- Towel
- Familiar bedding
Weekend Break
Core items for 2-3 nights:
- Food for duration
- Bowls
- Lead, collar, harness
- Poo bags
- Bed or blankets
- Towels (2-3)
- Treats
- Basic first aid
- Insurance details
- Favourite toy
Week-Long Holiday
Full list including:
- All essential items
- Weather-appropriate extras
- Activity-specific items
- Grooming basics
- First aid kit
- Multiple towels
- Entertainment items
Tips for Packing
Organisation
- Pack dog items in dedicated bag
- Keep frequently needed items accessible
- Have journey supplies separate from destination supplies
Don't Forget
- More poo bags than you think
- Multiple towels (wet dogs everywhere!)
- Enough food for whole trip plus emergency extra
- Contact numbers accessible not just in phone
Space Saving
- Collapsible bowls
- Multi-use items
- Vacuum bags for bedding
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most commonly forgotten item?
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Poo bags in sufficient quantity, and making sure the holiday contact number is on the ID tag.
How many towels should I bring?
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At least 2 to 3 for a weekend. Around 4 to 5 for a week, more if it is rainy or beach-focused.
Should I bring dog food or buy at destination?
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Bring it from home. Changing food can cause digestive upset, so pack enough for the entire trip.
Do I need a first aid kit?
+
Yes. Bring at least the basics. A tick remover is essential for countryside holidays.
What about favourite toys?
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Bring familiar items to provide comfort in a new environment. Avoid bringing anything irreplaceable.
Pack Once, Travel Confidently
Use this checklist for every trip. Customise for your dog and destination. The few minutes spent checking the list prevents holiday frustrations.
Print it. Tick it. Travel happy.
Luke uses a version of this checklist for travels with Charlie, Buster, Ember, Simba, Max, and Molly. With six dogs, organisation is essential - and so is packing enough towels.
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