1. Enough Food for the Whole Trip, Plus a Little Extra

Switching your dog’s food mid-holiday is a reliable way to trigger an upset stomach. Bring everything you need for the full trip, then pack one or two extra portions as a buffer. If your dog eats wet food, keep it in a cool bag. If it is dry, a sealed container keeps it fresh and stops it attracting insects.

Do not rely on finding the exact same brand at a local shop. Smaller holiday areas often stock a limited range, and a sudden swap can cause real discomfort for your dog, which means a miserable time for everyone.

2. A Familiar Bed or Blanket

New smells and unfamiliar spaces can unsettle dogs more than owners expect. Bringing your dog’s own bed, or even just a blanket they sleep on at home, gives them something that smells right. It helps them settle faster on the first night, which usually means you sleep better too.

A blanket also doubles as a seat cover in the car or a quick clean surface at the beach. It earns its space in the bag.

3. Water Bowl and a Bottle of Water for the Journey

Dogs dehydrate faster than most people realise, especially on long car journeys in warm weather. A collapsible travel bowl takes up almost no space and means you can stop anywhere and give your dog a proper drink. Fill a bottle from home so you are not searching for a tap at a motorway service station.

Keep the bowl accessible in the car, not buried at the bottom of a bag. You will use it more than you think.

4. Poo Bags, and More Than You Think You Need

This one sounds obvious, but running out halfway through a walk is not a good situation. Pack more than you expect to use. Biodegradable bags are worth the small extra cost, and a clip-on dispenser means you are never rooting through a pocket to find one.

5. A Good Lead, Plus a Spare

Leads break, clips jam, and dogs can be surprisingly creative when they spot something worth chasing. A spare lead does not take up much space and could save you a stressful afternoon. If you walk near livestock or busy roads, a shorter training lead gives you better control than an extending one.

Check your usual lead for wear before you go. A frayed clip is not worth the risk on an unfamiliar trail. If you want ideas for where to walk, our guide to camping spots across the UK has some genuinely good routes.

6. A Basic First Aid Kit for Dogs

You do not need anything complicated. Saline solution, a tick remover, a couple of bandages, and some antiseptic wipes cover most minor incidents. Ticks are common in grassy and woodland areas, and removing one quickly matters. A tick remover costs very little and takes seconds to use correctly.

If your dog is on regular medication, pack that first, before anything else goes in the bag. There is no acceptable substitute when you are away from your usual vet.

7. Up-to-Date ID Tags and a Photo on Your Phone

ID tags are a legal requirement in the UK, but also just common sense. Check the tag is readable before you leave and make sure your phone number is current. Keep a recent photo of your dog on your phone too. If the worst happens and they bolt, a clear photo helps people know exactly who they are looking for.

Microchipping is mandatory in the UK, so this should already be in place. If you have moved recently, log in and update your address on the microchip database before you go.

8. Towels You Do Not Mind Ruining

Old towels earn their place on every dog holiday. One for drying off after a beach swim or a muddy walk, one as a backup. Just because you have a pet, does not mean you should stay in dingy accommodation, but a wet dog can make any space feel very small, very fast. Pack accordingly.

A microfibre dog towel dries faster than a standard one and handles the smell better. Worth the small investment if your dog swims regularly. You can browse some of the places we recommend on our holiday home listings page.

9. Their Favourite Toy or Chew

A familiar toy helps an anxious dog switch off in a new place. It also gives them something to do when you need a quiet hour. A long-lasting chew is useful for evenings when your dog needs to settle but is still full of energy from a big walk.

Keep it simple. One or two things they already love beats a bag full of new distractions. And if you want to know how to spot the signs that your dog is not coping well on the road, this post on dog stress during holidays is worth a read before you travel.