We travel with our dog Penny a lot because it’s often cheaper to pay for hotel pet fees rather than boarding costs. But traveling with a dog also comes with its own set of challenges, as you have to add on extra luggage to make sure your dog has everything they need. 

If you are traveling with a dog for the first time, here are some things you want to make sure you bring along. Some of them are obvious, and others are things you may not think of. Consider this as a checklist you can use to make sure you pack everything you need when traveling with a dog.

Food

Obviously, you’ll need to bring some food along for your dog. But the amount of food depends on how long you’re going to be gone, as you want to make sure they have enough if you don’t want to stop at a store to get more. However, if your dog requires a special diet, you may not be able to just go out and buy more at the store.

It’s also important that you consider the type of food your dog eats. Dry food will be okay to be kept in a sealed container or Ziploc bag, but if they eat wet food that has to be refrigerated after opening, you need to make sure you have a way to keep the food from spoiling, such as a cooler.

Food and Water Bowls

You’ll also need to bring along food and water bowls. Collapsible bowls work well, as they don’t take up a lot of space and can be folded down when not in use. It’s also a good idea to bring some bottled water, so that you can give your dog some when necessary. They also make water bottles with bowls on the end, so that when opened, the water flows into the bowl.

Collar with ID

Unfortunately, all kinds of things can happen when you’re on a road trip with your dog. If your dog gets away from you, you want to make sure that they can be identified and returned to you if they are found. Make sure your dog’s ID tag has the dog’s name as well as your current contact information.

Collars with ID are also important because they often hold your dog’s rabies tag also. The rabies tag lets people know that your dog is up to date on their rabies vaccine and they aren’t a threat if they get bitten by something or they bite someone. Plus, some accommodations and most doggy day cares (should you need to use one on your trip) don’t allow dogs to stay there unless they have a current rabies vaccine.

Proof of Vaccines/Vet Records

It’s also a good idea to have a paper copy of your dog’s vaccines and vet records with you, just in case you should need them. Your dog could lose their collar with their rabies vaccine on it, or you may need to provide a paper copy of proof of vaccines to the accommodations you’re staying at, especially if something happens.

If your dog gets injured or sick while on vacation you may also need these records for the vet you take your dog to on your trip. Speaking of, it’s a good idea to research vets in the area you’re traveling to before your trip, so that you can be prepared.

Harness and Leash

Harnesses aren’t necessary for all dogs, as collars will work just fine for walking dogs in some cases. But collars aren’t generally recommended for smaller dogs because they can put too much strain on the neck when the leash is being pulled on and can become a choking hazard. So, harnesses are generally safer for dogs, especially small ones. Plus, it is often easier to control your dog when they are wearing a harness than a collar. 

As for leashes, you may wish to bring a standard one along with you, as some places don’t allow retractable leashes. A lot of national and state parks, dog beaches, etc., don’t allow dogs to have leashes that are over 6 feet long.

There are also special harnesses and leashes that say things like, “Do not pet” or “In training” that you may wish to use to prevent people from petting your dog. These aren’t entirely necessary if your dog is friendly, but can be helpful if you have a nervous dog or a dog that doesn’t warm up to new people right away.

Treats

Bring some of your dog’s favorite treats along so you can reward them for going potty and rest stops and other areas when you stop. Traveling with a dog is also a great time to reinforce any training your dog has to ensure they’re well-behaved, and bringing their favorite treats along can help strengthen their training.

Toys

Being cramped in a car for hours while you drive to your destination can cause your dog to become bored and restless. It’s a good idea to bring some of your dog’s favorite toys with you so you can stop along the way at parks to play with your dog and give them some exercise.

You may also wish to bring along chew toys or chew bones that they can chew on during the car ride. Toys such as Kongs that you can stuff with treats or peanut butter can keep your dog busy for a while.

Crate

Crates aren’t always necessary, but if your dog is crate trained, it’s a good idea to bring the crate along. Crates can help your dog feel more at home in unfamiliar places and new situations, because it gives them a safe space to retreat to that is familiar to them.

Also, if staying in a hotel with your dog, many of them require the dog to be contained in a crate if they are going to be left unattended. Some places you may be visiting, like botanical gardens or zoos, may not allow dogs. So bringing a crate along ensures that you can leave them behind. 

Bed/Blanket

Even if your dog isn’t crate trained, you may still want to bring along a bed for them or a blanket that they’re familiar with to give them a sense of security and a comfy place to sleep. If you have a large dog and don’t have room to bring a big bed along, some portable beds or cots fold down easily for storage and are easy to travel with.

Wipes/Pet Shampoo

You never know when your dog can get muddy or messy on hikes or other adventures, so it’s a good idea to bring along some pet wipes so that you can clean your dog off if necessary. You may also want to bring along some dog shampoo in case your dog gets really messy. The last thing you want is for your dog to track muddy messes into your car or your hotel room/vacation rental, especially if it means you won’t get a deposit back.

Enzyme Cleaner

Last but not least, you may want to bring an enzyme cleaner along with you for cleaning up dog urine and vomit. Dogs can have travel anxiety which can cause them to vomit, or they could smell another dog’s scent in a hotel room or elsewhere which can cause them to pee in inappropriate places. You just want to make sure to be respectful and clean up after your dog. An enzyme cleaner made specifically for pet messes will work best.

Traveling With a Dog Doesn’t Have to Be Stressful

Traveling with a dog doesn’t have to be stressful as long as you bring along everything that your dog needs. Yes, it’s a little extra to pack, but if you’re going to be boarding your dog instead, you would be packing most of that stuff anyway.

Penny loves traveling with us, and she has a backpack containing all of her things that she keeps a very close eye on. Having all of these things helps her feel safe and secure, and making sure she has copies of her vaccine records and identification helps us feel secure also if something were to happen.

Is there anything else I’m forgetting? Feel free to let me know!