Holidays With Your Dog: The Packing List

For a UK holiday with your dog, pack their usual food and treats, water and bowls, a collar with ID and a spare lead, poo bags, their bed or a familiar blanket, any medication, a towel, weather appropriate kit and copies of your vet and microchip details. Pack a small day bag for the journey too, so the essentials are within reach without unpacking the car.

A staycation with your dog should feel easy, not like a military operation. The trick is packing the right things once, in a sensible order, so you can get on with the walks, the countryside and the long lazy evenings. Here is our complete checklist, organised by category.

Before you pack: three checks

• Confirm the rules where you are staying. Dog friendly accommodation often has its own conditions, such as which rooms dogs can use, whether they can be left alone, and how many dogs are allowed. Ask before you book.
• Update microchip details. In England, dogs over eight weeks must be microchipped and registered, and the details must be kept up to date. If you have moved house or changed your number, update the database now. Our guide on updating your dog's microchip details explains how.
• Find a local vet. Note the name and number of a vet near where you are staying, in case you need one out of hours.

Identification and walking

• Collar with ID. By law, your dog must wear a collar with your name and address on it, or on a tag attached to it, in a public place. On holiday your home address still works, but adding your mobile number is strongly advisable. Our engraved collars, such as The Kensington Collar, carry your dog's name and your number, so pair one with an address tag to meet the legal minimum.
• Main lead and a spare. Leads get left on pub benches and in car boots. A spare in the glovebox costs nothing to carry.
• Harness, if your dog uses one.
• Poo bags, more than you think you will need, plus a dispenser that clips to the lead.
• Treat pouch. New places mean new distractions, and having treats to hand helps with recall. The Holland Park Treat Pouch is silicone, so it wipes clean after a muddy week.
• Long line, if you use one for recall training in open spaces.

Food and water

• Their usual food, enough for the whole trip plus a day or two extra. A sudden change of diet on holiday can upset a dog's stomach, and you may not find the same brand locally.
• Treats and chews.
• Food and water bowls. Collapsible bowls save space.
• A portable water bottle for walks and the journey. The Companion water bottle has a built in bowl and is leakproof, so it can live in your bag all week.
• A lick mat or slow feeder to help your dog settle in an unfamiliar place.

Sleep and comfort

• Their own bed, or at least their usual blanket. Familiar smells help dogs settle quickly, and many holiday lets prefer dogs to sleep on their own bedding rather than the furniture. For tips on choosing a bed, see our dog bed size guide.
• A crate, if your dog is crate trained and sleeps in one at home.
• A favourite toy or two.
• Throws or old sheets to protect sofas and car seats.

Weather kit

British holidays can deliver four seasons in a week, so pack for all of them.

• A waterproof coat, especially for short coated, small or older dogs. The Regent Raincoat is a waterproof soft-shell with a fleece lining and reflective detailing, in sizes XS to 3XL.
• Two old towels, one for the car and one for the door.
• A light or reflective item for evening walks on unlit country lanes.
• In summer: shade, extra water, and a plan to walk early and late. Never leave your dog in a parked car on a warm day.

Health and grooming

• Any regular medication, with enough for the trip.
• Flea and tick treatment, particularly if you are heading somewhere rural. Ask your vet what suits your dog.
• A small first aid kit, including a tick remover.
• A brush or comb, for sand, burrs and mud.
• Vaccination record and insurance details, as some kennels, groomers and day care providers ask to see them.

For the journey

• A suitable car restraint. The Highway Code suggests a seat belt harness, pet carrier, dog cage or dog guard. Read our guide to dogs in cars and the UK rules.
• A day bag with water, bowl, treats, poo bags, a towel and the lead, so you do not have to dig through the boot at every stop.
• A carrier for small dogs, if you are travelling by train. Our guide to travelling with a small dog in the UK covers rail travel.

Printable quick list

Category	Pack
ID and walking	Collar with name and address tag, lead, spare lead, harness, poo bags, treat pouch
Food and water	Usual food plus extra, treats, bowls, water bottle, lick mat
Comfort	Bed or blanket, crate if used, toys, throws
Weather	Waterproof coat, towels, reflective item
Health	Medication, flea and tick treatment, first aid kit, tick remover, brush, records
Journey	Car restraint, day bag, carrier for small dogs

Heading to the coast? Check our guide to dog friendly beaches and seasonal rules first. For inspiration on where to go, read our dog friendly Cotswolds weekend, and find everything else in our complete dog travel and London guide.

Frequently asked questions

What should I pack for my dog on holiday?

Their usual food, water and bowls, a collar with ID, leads, poo bags, their bed or blanket, any medication, towels, a coat if needed, and your vet and microchip details.

Should my dog's tag have my holiday address on it?

The law requires your name and address on the collar or a tag. Your home address meets that requirement, and adding your mobile number means anyone who finds your dog can reach you straight away.

Should I take my dog's own bed on holiday?

If you have space, yes. Familiar bedding helps most dogs settle in a new place. If not, bring their usual blanket.

Should I change my dog's food on holiday?

It is best to bring their usual food. A sudden change of diet can upset a dog's stomach.