The Essential Travel Kit Checklist for Dogs and Puppies

What Does a Dog Need to Travel?

A well-prepared travel kit can make all the difference in ensuring your dog’s comfort and safety during your trip. Here’s a list of everything to go in the bag:

Dog Carrier or Crate

Collar with ID tags and Lead

Always ensure your dog wears a collar with ID tags, including a tag with your contact information. As with any occasion when heading outdoors, a sturdy lead or harness is of course a must.

Food and Water

Pack enough food and water for the entire trip. Collapsible bowls are great space-saving options that can pack neatly into your dog travel bag. Bringing bottled water also helps to maintain consistency and will avoid upsetting your dog’s stomach.

First Aid Kit

A first aid kit with essentials like a tick hook and any necessary medications should always be in the bag. This should also include bandages or gauze, blunt-end scissors, antiseptic wipes or solution, surgical sticky tape, and disposable gloves.

Sun Block

Depending on your dog’s coat, where you’re travelling, and the time of year, sun cream may be needed to protect your pooch from the elements.

Winter Coat

Conversely, if you’re travelling anywhere cold, a warm coat might be needed instead! Bonus points if you manage to colour match with your own outfit, but not essential.

Towels

Towels are handy for drying off or cleaning muddy paws. Even if you’re not planning on any swims or hikes, they’re sensible to pack in the travel kit just in case – dogs have a tendency to get themselves into all sorts of situations we don’t anticipate, and you never know when it might rain!

Treats

Treats are great for rewarding calm and appropriate behaviour and for catching a dog’s attention when needed. You can also use them for any games you might get up to with your dog while away.

Toys and Chews

On a similar note, make sure to bring your dog’s favourite toys and chews to keep them entertained. Enrichment toys like stuffed chew toys can be great for keeping them busy during quiet times.

Blankets and Bedding

Well, your dog is going to need to sleep somewhere! But instead of relying on any bedding provided with your holiday accommodation, we recommend bringing a blanket or bedding your dog is familiar with. This will provide comfort in strange, unfamiliar surroundings and can help your dog to relax. If your dog is used to sleeping in a crate, there’s no reason not to bring that along too to maintain their routine.

Waste Bags and Scoopers

As with any walk or outing, make sure to always carry enough waste bags to clean up after your dog. It’s also important to dispose of deposits properly, so bring along whatever else you usually use, be it a scooper, kitchen roll, or any other suitable cleaner.

ADAPTIL Transport - Dog Calming Spray

Yep, we mentioned this one already, but if your dog struggles with car travel then you should give ADAPTIL Transport a go to help ease their anxiety. Each spray lasts 4-5 hours, so it can be highly effective for those longer trips, and you can also help your dog settle for the first night by spraying it on their bedding. You can learn more about how best to use ADAPTIL Spray here, but remember to allow at least 15 minutes before your dog accesses the area you’ve sprayed.

ADAPTIL Calm Collar - Dog Calming on the go

For support both in the car and throughout the whole trip, you can also try out ADAPTIL Calm Collar. This pheromone collar for dogs provides four weeks of continuous reassurance, making it perfect for those longer outings!

ThunderShirt by ADAPTIL - Dog Calming Vest

Another handy tool for helping dogs with anxiety is ThunderShirt by ADAPTIL. This vest provides a gentle, calming pressure around your dog’s torso, helping them to remain calm in challenging situations. As well as car rides, this can be hugely helpful for any new or uncertain situations you get into during your trip.

Extra Considerations for Your Dog Travel Kit

So, that’s all the essentials of your travel kit sorted – but we’re not finished yet! There are a couple of extra items to consider. 

These might not be needed for all dogs, but they’re worth casting your eyes over in case they’re suitable for your trip:

Grooming Tools

Especially for longer-haired dogs, a brush and other grooming essentials are always a good idea for keeping up your dog’s coat care. It’s also a good idea to maintain your dog’s routine as much as possible, so if brushing your dog forms part of their usual routine, all the more reason to pack it.

GPS Tracker

A GPS tracker on your dog’s collar can provide peace of mind in case the worst should happen and they become lost. These are by no means an essential for your dog travel bag, but they have been growing in popularity and a little extra precaution never hurt anyone.

Buoyancy Aid

Heading to the beach or river? Dogs can tire quickly in the water, so a buoyancy aid is essential for their safety. Be prepared and pop it in the bag.

Alternative Options

And lastly, a final note to conclude with, remember that long trips away may not be suitable for all dogs. Lengthy journeys and new environments can be stressful for our canine pals, so in some situations it may be more appropriate to consider other options like a pet sitter or dog hotel. They’ll ensure your dog is in the best of hands until your return, ready for you to tell them all about your travels!

Interested in finding more of our helpful guides for travel with your dog? Check out the rest of our blogs online! You can also stay up to date with all the latest tips and advice by signing up to our newsletter.