This comprehensive checklist covers everything needed for dog holidays - from essential documents to helpful extras. Print it, save it, customise it for your dog's needs. Never forget the essentials again.
Pre-Holiday Checklist
Documentation
- Pet insurance documents/policy number
- Vaccination records (if required)
- Microchip number recorded
- Vet contact details
- Emergency vet number at destination (research via our Emergency Vet guide)
- Accommodation confirmation (with pet policy)
- Any medical records needed
Health Preparation
- Vaccinations up to date
- Flea/tick treatment current
- Worming up to date
- Any medications needed packed
- Vet check if concerns
- Fit for travel (age/health considered)
ID and Safety
- Collar with ID tag
- ID tag updated with holiday contact number
- Microchip details current
- Recent photo of dog on phone
Accommodation Preparation
- Dog policy confirmed
- Pet fee paid/arranged
- Garden security checked (if possible in advance)
- Nearby walks researched
- Local dog-friendly pubs/cafes identified
See our Booking Accommodation guide.
Packing Checklist
Food and Water
- Dog food (entire trip + 2 extra days)
- Treats (for training, settling, rewards)
- Food bowls (or travel bowls)
- Water bowl
- Portable water bottle for walks
- Any supplements or special dietary items
- Food storage container
Sleeping and Comfort
- Dog bed or blanket (familiar smell essential)
- Spare blanket
- Favourite toy(s)
- Comfort items from home
- Crate (if used and practical)
- Crate bedding
Walking and Control
- Lead (main)
- Spare lead
- Long line (if used for recall training)
- Harness
- Collar (with ID tag)
- Poo bags (many more than you think - at least 50)
- Poo bag holder/dispenser
- High-visibility gear (if walking in dark)
- Ball/fetch toys
Travel Items
- Car crate or barrier/guard
- Seat belt harness (if used)
- Car seat cover/protector
- Travel water bowl
- Travel treats
- Towels for car (wet dog protection)
- Car ramp (for elderly/large dogs or Dachshunds)
- Sunshade for car windows
See our Travelling with Dogs guide.
Health and First Aid
- Any regular medications
- Basic first aid kit
- Tick remover
- Antiseptic wipes
- Bandage/vet wrap
- Tweezers
- Dog-safe pain relief (vet-approved only)
- Eye wash
- Ear cleaner
Grooming
- Brush/comb appropriate to coat
- Towels (multiple - for wet/muddy dogs)
- Dog shampoo (if needed)
- Detangling spray (long coats)
- Paw wipes or cloth
- Ear cleaner and cotton pads
- Nail clippers (if comfortable using)
See our breed guides for specific grooming needs:
Weather Protection
- Dog coat (waterproof)
- Dog coat (warm/fleece for cold)
- Cooling mat or bandana (summer)
- Paw protection (hot pavements/ice)
- Sun protection (if needed)
See our seasonal guides:
Settling Aids
- Kong or stuffable toy
- Long-lasting chew
- Snuffle mat (if used)
- Familiar-smelling item from home
- Calming products (if used)
Optional but Useful
- Pet camera (for checking when out)
- Microfibre towels (quick drying)
- Lint roller (for your clothes)
- Collapsible travel crate
- Dog life jacket (for water activities)
- Treat pouch
- Dog-friendly torch/headlamp
- Dog-specific backpack (for carrying their items on walks)
Destination-Specific Additions
Beach Holidays
- Extra towels
- Fresh water supply (dogs shouldn't drink seawater)
- Shade option
- Ball that floats
- Rinse container for salt water
- Beach-friendly lead
See our Beach Holidays guide.
Mountain/Hiking Holidays
- Dog first aid kit (enhanced)
- Paw wax/protection
- High-energy treats
- Collapsible water bowl
- Dog backpack (for dog to carry items)
- Emergency blanket
- Navigation aids
See our Hiking guide.
Hot Weather Travel
- Cooling mat
- Cooling coat
- Portable fan (for car stops)
- Paddling pool (inflatable)
- Ice pack for cooling
- Shade solution
Cold Weather Travel
- Warm coat (appropriate for breed)
- Waterproof coat
- Paw wax (ice/salt protection)
- Extra bedding
- High-calorie treats
Camping
- Dog-specific sleeping setup
- Tie-out stake
- Long lead for campsite
- Groundsheet
- Warm bedding
- Waterproof jacket
See our Camping guide.
Breed-Specific Additions
Flat-Faced Breeds (Bulldogs, Pugs, Shih Tzus)
- Cooling items essential
- Harness (not collar - breathing)
- Shade solution
- Portable fan
See our French Bulldog guide and Shih Tzu guide.
Water-Loving Breeds
- Multiple extra towels
- Ear cleaner (post-swimming)
- Rinse water
- Life jacket (rough water)
See our Labrador guide and Spaniel guides.
High-Energy Breeds
- Extra treats
- Enrichment toys
- Mental stimulation items
- Long line for exercise
See our Border Collie guide and Springer Spaniel guide.
Anxious Dogs
- Calming products
- Extra familiar items
- Comfort objects
- Thundershirt (if used)
See our Anxious Dogs guide.
Journey Day Checklist
Before Leaving
- Dog exercised (toilet + tire out)
- Fed appropriately (not immediately before travel)
- Water available
- Car prepared
- All items packed
- ID tag checked
- Emergency numbers accessible
During Journey
- Regular stops (every 2 hours minimum)
- Water offered at stops
- Toilet breaks
- Never leave in hot car
- Check dog comfort
- Treats for calm behaviour
On Arrival
- Immediate toilet break
- Explore accommodation on lead
- Check garden security
- Set up dog's bed/space
- Fresh water available
- Short orientation walk
See our First Dog Holiday guide for detailed arrival guidance.
Daily Holiday Checklist
Morning
- Toilet break
- Breakfast at normal time
- Fresh water
- Morning walk/activity
- Tick check after walks
During Day
- Appropriate exercise
- Water always available
- Shade in hot weather
- Rest periods
- Poo picked up
Evening
- Evening meal at normal time
- Evening walk
- Wind-down time
- Settle for night
- Grooming if needed
Return Home Checklist
Before Leaving Accommodation
- All items packed (check under beds, in gardens)
- Dog hair cleaned up
- Any damage reported
- Thank owner/leave property well
Post-Holiday
- Tick check (thorough)
- Grass seed check (ears, paws)
- Rest and recovery time
- Return to normal routine
- Vet visit if any concerns
See our Returning Home guide.
Customise This List
For Your Dog
Every dog is different. Customise this list:
- Add breed-specific items
- Remove irrelevant items
- Add your dog's specific needs
- Include favourite items
Save and Reuse
- Print this list
- Check off items as you pack
- Note what you didn't use (remove next time)
- Note what you wished you'd brought (add next time)
- Refine for your perfect list
Quick Reference Card
Essential Ten (Never Forget)
- Food - enough for trip + extra
- Water bowl - and water for journeys
- Lead - plus spare
- Poo bags - always more than you think
- Bed/blanket - familiar item essential
- ID tag - with holiday contact number
- Medications - any regular treatments
- Towels - for wet dogs
- First aid basics - tick remover minimum
- Insurance details - accessible if needed
The Complete Resource
This checklist supports everything else on TheDogHoliday.co.uk:
- Destination guides - where to go
- Accommodation guides - where to stay
- Activity guides - what to do
- Breed guides - your dog's needs
- Planning guides - how to prepare
Happy travels with your dog!
Luke packs for Charlie, Buster, Ember, Simba, Max, and Molly using this checklist. With six dogs, organisation is essential - and nothing gets forgotten.
★★★★★
20 global ratings
Top reviews
RC
I'm terrible at packing - always forget something important. Used this checklist before our Norfolk trip and it was a lifesaver. Reminded me about updating the ID tag with holiday contact number, bringing a tick remover which we actually needed, and packing familiar bedding for settling. Everything organised, nothing forgotten.
Helpful
Seller Response
That ID tag tip catches so many people out! And tick removers are essential this time of year. Glad the checklist helped, Rachel!
DW
This checklist is so good I've printed and laminated it. We go away several times a year with our springer Bella and I tick it off every single time. The section on documents - insurance, vet details, vaccination records - saved us when she needed emergency treatment in Cornwall. Had everything to hand.
Helpful
Seller Response
Laminated! That's commitment. So glad you had the documents ready when Bella needed the vet. Preparation really matters.
KM
Before this checklist I once arrived at a cottage without my dog's food. Had to find a pet shop on a Sunday evening. Never again! Now I work through this list methodically and pack everything in order. The food section with 'extra days supply' note has saved me twice when we've extended trips.
Helpful
Seller Response
No food on a Sunday evening - nightmare! That extra supply buffer is so important. Glad you're sorted now!
SC
The first aid kit section was particularly thorough. We always packed basics but this list added things we'd never thought of - tick remover, saline solution for eye rinsing, antiseptic wipes. Our lab Cooper cut his pad in Scotland and we had everything needed to clean and dress it thanks to this checklist.
Helpful
Seller Response
Pad injuries are so common on holiday! Having the kit ready meant you could sort it quickly. Well done on being prepared.
AR
The emphasis on familiar bedding was so important for our anxious cockapoo Milo. He settled so much faster in the holiday cottage because he had his usual bed and blanket. We'd have probably bought new travel stuff before reading this. Familiar smells really do help them feel at home.
Helpful
Seller Response
Familiar smells are so comforting for anxious dogs! Milo settling faster meant you could all relax sooner. Small things make big differences.
PJ
Really comprehensive list that covers everything you might need. Used it for our Scottish Highlands trip with our two collies. Only four stars because the format on mobile was a bit tricky to use as an actual tick list. But the content itself is excellent and thorough. Printed version works better.
Helpful
Seller Response
Good feedback on the mobile format - we'll look at improving that! Glad the printed version worked for your Highland adventure.
LB
The section on packing multiple towels was a wake-up call. We usually took one dog towel but this suggested several for wet and muddy dogs. So glad we listened - our golden retriever Sunny went swimming every day in the Lakes and we'd have run out by day two with just one towel!
Helpful
Seller Response
Goldies and water - you definitely need the towel stockpile! Sunny swimming daily sounds like his best holiday ever.
GE
The car travel section of this checklist was really helpful. Water bowl for stops, harness or crate, window shades, motion sickness meds just in case. Our beagle Henry used to get stressed on journeys but having everything organised made the drive to Devon smooth. Arrived relaxed and ready for adventure.
Helpful
Seller Response
A relaxed arrival sets up the whole holiday! Henry having everything he needed for the journey makes such a difference.
NF
Loved the destination-specific additions section. Beach holiday extras like fresh water to rinse, shade options, and sand-resistant lead were things I'd never have thought of. Our first beach trip with our retriever Max was so much smoother because we'd packed the right extras thanks to this.
Helpful
Seller Response
Beach holidays need their own kit! That fresh water rinse stops the salt irritation. Glad Max had a smooth first beach trip.
RH
The section on calming items - familiar toys, treats, maybe Adaptil - helped us prepare for our nervous rescue Luna's first holiday. We packed her favourite blanket, her Kong, and some calming treats. She settled so much better than expected in the cottage. The familiar items really worked.
Helpful
Seller Response
First holidays with nervous rescues are nerve-wracking! Luna settling with her familiar things is wonderful. Well prepared!
CM
The medication checklist saved us. Our older spaniel Jasper takes daily tablets and I nearly forgot them before seeing this list. Also reminded me to pack extra in case we extended the trip. At 12 years old, missing his medication would have been serious. Thank you for this thorough checklist!
Helpful
Seller Response
Medication is so easy to forget until you're there without it! Jasper's health needs that consistency. Glad the checklist caught it.
SW
The suggestion to pack way more poo bags than you think you'll need was absolutely right. We were in the Lake District for a week and went through loads - multiple walks a day, sometimes the dog goes more on holiday. Would have run out without the generous estimate. It's such a simple thing but so important.
Helpful
Seller Response
Holiday poops are definitely more frequent with all that exercise! Better to have too many bags than too few. Simple but essential.
ET
Wouldn't have thought to pack grooming supplies without this checklist. Our labradoodle Teddy gets tangled after swimming and beach trips. Having the slicker brush and detangling spray with us meant we could sort him out each evening instead of coming home with a matted mess. So practical.
Helpful
Seller Response
Labradoodle coats and water are a matting combination! Daily brushing on holiday keeps on top of it. Teddy came home looking smart!
AF
The pre-trip preparation section reminded us to do a vet check before our Cornwall trip. Turned out our staffie Ruby had an ear infection starting - got it sorted before we left. Would have ruined the holiday if it had flared up while we were away. That reminder to check before travel is so valuable.
Helpful
Seller Response
Catching Ruby's ear early meant a much better holiday for everyone! Pre-trip checks are so worth the effort.
MA
The suggestion to pack a long training lead was great for our rescue who doesn't have reliable recall yet. Gave our boy Finn some freedom on quiet beaches while keeping him safe. Wouldn't have thought to bring it without this checklist. He loved having that extra range to explore.
Helpful
Seller Response
Long lines are brilliant for dogs building recall! Finn getting that controlled freedom is perfect. Safe but still fun.
JD
The section on saving emergency vet numbers for your destination was important. We looked up the nearest out-of-hours vet before our Yorkshire trip and saved the number. Thankfully didn't need it but having it ready gave us peace of mind. The guide also reminded us to bring our regular vet's contact details.
Helpful
Seller Response
Emergency prep is hoping you don't need it but being ready if you do. That peace of mind matters. Glad you didn't need to use it!
RT
The suggestion to pack a variety of treats - high value for recalls, normal for training, settling treats for evenings - was really helpful. Our terrier Alfie responded so much better to the different treats for different situations. High value chicken got him back from distractions every time!
Helpful
Seller Response
Treat hierarchy is so useful! High value for high stakes situations. Alfie knowing that chicken means business keeps everyone safe.
KE
The reminder to check the collar isn't worn and the tag is legible was surprisingly useful. Checked our dog Mabel's collar before our trip and realised the tag was quite faded. Got a new one with our holiday contact number as suggested. Small things that could be big problems if something went wrong.
Helpful
Seller Response
Faded tags are so common and so easy to overlook! Mabel's new tag with holiday details is proper preparation. Well done.
BS
The extras section at the end caught things I'd definitely have missed - lint roller for the cottage sofa, LED collar light for evening walks, mat for the pub. Our cocker Archie was prepared for every situation on our Cotswolds trip. The lint roller saved us from embarrassment leaving the rental!
Helpful
Seller Response
Those extras make all the difference! LED collars for dark evenings and lint rollers for hairy sofas. Archie was holiday-ready!
VG
I used to dread packing for dog holidays - always worried I'd forget something crucial. This checklist made it almost enjoyable. Worked through it methodically, everything organised, felt confident. Our border terrier Hamish had everything he needed for a perfect Scottish adventure. Taking the stress out of preparation!
Helpful
Seller Response
Packing being enjoyable is the dream! That confidence when you've properly prepared makes the holiday start relaxed. Hamish approves!
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