Dog holiday checklist: everything you need to pack and plan

The short answer

Travelling with your dog takes careful planning. Pack food, bowls, a lead, collar and ID tag, a bed, any prescribed medication, and a first aid kit. Restraining them in the car is a legal requirement. If you’re travelling to the EU, you'll need an Animal Health Certificate and up-to-date vaccination and microchip records.

Planning a holiday with your dog

With the school summer holidays here, many families are planning a getaway. Packing for a holiday is stressful enough - and that’s before you think about bringing the dog!

To help you out, we've put together this handy dog holiday checklist: everything you need to take to keep your pooch safe, healthy and happy on your travels.

We'll also cover a few of our favourite dog-friendly holiday activities, so whether you’re planning a UK staycation or a trip abroad, you’ve got plenty to do once you arrive.

Do dogs like going on holiday?

Every dog is different. Some love the opportunity to explore different scenery and new sniffs, being able to go on long walks and spend quality time with their owner. 

However, others may be nervous when travelling, or anxious in unfamiliar places, so a holiday somewhere new might cause them undue stress. In this case, consider whether they might be more comfortable at home with a petsitter or staying with family or friends. This could be as much of a holiday as your dog needs!

As veterinary behaviourist Dr Sophie White explains: "If you're going on holiday for two weeks, your dog's probably going to be fine. They'd probably much rather go to grandma and granddads, get lots of treats, and hang out for two weeks than do a big long journey and be somewhere new. There are cases where a dog will have a wonderful time, it really depends on what your holiday is like."

Knowing if your dog will like going on holiday depends on your dog, where you go, and what you do. Not to mention, being an owner is a big responsibility. Sometimes a short break away from pets is just what owners need!

Your dog holiday checklist: What to pack

Food, treats, and bowls

A holiday without good food isn't a holiday worth having! Although you might be staying near a shop, there's no guarantee they stock your dog's usual dinners - and switching their food quickly can cause an upset tummy! Make sure you take enough of your dog's usual food for them to have on their holiday, along with bowls for them to eat and drink out of. It doesn’t hurt to pack a few of their favourite treats too!

Poo bags

‘Nuff said. You always need to pick up after your dog, whether you're at home or holiday!

Dog collars, ID tags, and leads

Your dog should always have a collar with a dog tag on whenever they're out in public. (It's a legal requirement!) So don't forget your dog's collar, a tag with your details on, and a lead for walkies when you're away. If your pooch prefers walking on a harness, don't forget to take that too.

Toys

Although you'll be doing loads of fun activities on your dog holiday, you still need to take some toys to occupy your dog. A Kong will help to keep them settled and entertained on long car rides, or if you ever need to leave them alone. Meanwhile, a ball is a must-have for a beach day or a walk. Take a few of your pup's favourites to keep them happy!

Dog bed

We all love our creature comforts. Your dog will need somewhere to sleep while you're away, so take their bed with you. This means they can snuggle down in a cosy spot that smells of home, which should help to keep them calm and settled in an unfamiliar place.

Portable bowl and water

No dog holiday would be complete without epic walkies (more on that later), but make sure you keep your dog safe on your adventures. Take a portable water bowl and fresh water with you everywhere you go, whether you’re planning a hike, a beach walk, or a trip in the car. Your dog needs to be able to have regular drinks to prevent dehydration and heatstroke.

Towel and brush

Dogs are dirt magnets, so it's a good idea to take a towel with you so you can dry them and rub off any dirt after walkies. It's also worth taking one of your dog's brushes too. That way if anything gets stuck in their fur, like grass seeds, you can brush them out and keep your dog clean and safe. It also means you can keep up your dog's usual routines, like a weekly brush.

First aid kit and vet contacts

Many of us take a first aid kit for any scrapes or minor illness we might have on holiday, and you should prepare a first aid kit for your pup too.

A doggy first aid kit should contain some crepe or self-adhesive bandages, non-adhesive dressings, surgical tape, cotton wool, and some sterile wipes. That way if your pup ever hurts their paw or injures themselves when you're out, you can clean and cover the wound until you can get to a vet. And don’t forget to pack any prescription medication your dog needs!

To be on the safe side, get the contact details for a local vet or an emergency vet near where you're staying. Hopefully you won't need to call them, but if you do ever need their help, you have their details handy.

Pet insurance

Holidays are expensive enough without adding in an unexpected vet bill. Hopefully you won't need to use it on your trip, but having pet insurance with EU travel cover means you’re covered in the event of an accident, or if your dog gets sick while you’re away from home. 

Haven’t sorted this yet? Napo pet insurance provides lifetime cover for dogs and cats, including emergency vet fee cover while travelling in the EU.

What to pack for a dog holiday abroad

If you're travelling overseas, you'll need to bring all of the above, plus a few extras.

When travelling abroad with your dog, you must remember to pack the relevant paperwork including an Animal Health Certificate (pet passports issued in Great Britain are no longer valid for EU travel), vaccination record, a health certificate from your vet, and your dog's insurance certificate and policy details.

Depending on where you're travelling to, you may need a specific type of health certificate. If you and your dog are heading to the EU or Ireland, you'll need an Animal Health Certificate. If you're going elsewhere, you'll need an Export Health Certificate.

Don’t forget to check your dog’s microchip

Remember to check your dog's microchip is working and the details are up to date before you travel. You should also check your dog's insurance policy to make sure your pet is protected abroad, as depending on your policy, your cover may be limited when you're overseas.

How to keep your dog safe while travelling

When getting from A to B, you need to keep your furry friend safe. If you're travelling by car, that means using either a dog crate, seatbelt, or a dog guard to keep your dog “restrained” - a legal requirement under Rule 57 of the Highway Code. 

It's also vital to keep your dog safe in case you ever have an accident. We humans never travel without a seatbelt, and our hounds shouldn't either!

Dog-friendly holiday activities

Now you know what to pack for your dog holiday, you'll have to figure out what to do! To give you a few ideas, here's a list of some dog-friendly holiday activities that you and your pooch can try on your travels.

Epic walkies!

No matter where you go or what you do, you'll need to walk the dog. But you can easily make the walk itself an amazing dog-friendly holiday activity. 

You could check out nearby national parks, coastal paths, and landmarks to visit with your four-legged friend. Otherwise, take a look and see if there are any guided walks you're interested in. Whether it's a guided hike or some kind of walking tour, you'll probably find they're happy for your pooch to come too!

Go to the beach

It might be an obvious choice, but a beach trip is a summer holiday staple. Check out our handy guide to the UK's best dog-friendly beaches to find one near you.

Visit lakes and lochs

If you're inland, a lake or loch can be a brilliant beach alternative. While you're there, you might find you can go sailing or canoeing, and that your dog can come too!

Otherwise, it's a great spot to sun yourself and enjoy a wild swim. Just remember to check there are no dog restrictions in the area, and watch out for blue-green algae!

Explore a castle

Many castles, country estates, and National Trust sites welcome dogs into the grounds, so you can live it up like the lord of the manor and spend hours walking in beautiful surroundings. 

Better still, many of the castle or monastery ruins around the UK welcome dogs inside on leads. Take a look to see if there's any near you and explore some hidden history with your hound.

Visit an outdoor cinema

Drive-in and outdoor cinemas saw a big revival during the pandemic, as many pet owners discovered it's a great way to spend a night out with their dog.

Although your dog might not be interested in the film, you can give them a Kong and have a cuddle together while you enjoy a cosy film night.

Mooch around a museum

One of the most overlooked dog-friendly holiday activities is a visit to a museum. Not all venues welcome woofers, but here in the UK, we're very lucky to have a number of dog-friendly museums. 

From Weald and Downland in West Sussex, to the Dundee Transport Museum, or Beamish in County Durham, there are dozens of different museums that welcome dogs. Many open-air ones tend to welcome dogs, so start your search there!

Dog holiday FAQs

What documents does my dog need to travel to the EU? 

An Animal Health Certificate issued by your vet within 10 days of your travel date, a valid rabies vaccination, and a working microchip. Tapeworm treatment is also required for some destinations, including Ireland, Malta, Finland, and Norway.

Can I take dog food abroad? 

Rules vary by country. The EU restricts meat-based products, so check your destination's rules and plan to buy your dog's usual brand locally if needed.

How do I find dog-friendly places to stay? 

Filter for pet-friendly properties on booking sites, and confirm directly with the accommodation whether dogs are allowed inside, any size limits in place, and extra charges.