I travel loads with my dogs. A lot that I’ve been in a position to refine my list of dog travel essentials over time and for various scenarios.
To make taking a vacation with my dogs easier, and to be sure that I don’t forget anything, I created this pet travel checklist for after I stay in a roofed accommodation like Airbnb or hotel (we also camp, road trip, backpack, and overland and I’ll be working on lists for those two).
This list will work whether you might be packing for a weekend trip together with your dog or will probably be gone for several weeks at a time.
What is going to vary most is how much of all the things you bring.
What Are My Dog Travel Essentials?
When I believe of my must-haves for traveling with a dog I, or course, consider essentials like food, treats, medications, supplements, collar, leash, etc.
But to me, “essentials” go way beyond that.
Things that can help deal with little messes, on my dogs or on the ground, are also essential.
It’s also very vital to me that my dogs be comfortable and the hotel stay feels a bit like a second home to them in order that they stay relaxed and comfortable.
What to Put in a Dog Travel Bag
I organized my packing list into categories.
Food and drugs goes right into a locking bin so the dogs can’t unintentionally gorge on food or eat medication that can make them sick.
I put the dog’s eating kit – bowls, slop mat, etc – right into a tote bag.
Keeping your dog travel essentials in a bag isn’t possible for a number of the greater items but storing them in the identical area of the home will assist you to pack quicker when it’s time to go.
The cleansing supplies and most of what’s on the remaining of the checklist goes inside a dog travel bag.
Exceptions are big, bulky items.
For instance, the portable dog crate, if I bring it, just gets shoved somewhere in my automobile.
The dog blankets, crate, and crate pad/bed don’t make it inside a bag either.
But You will have So Much on Your List. I Don’t Have That Much Room to Bring it All!
Yes, my checklist has lots of stuff on it. My purpose was to incorporate absolutely all the things I bring.
Also, I’m a dog gear fanatic so we’ve lots of stuff for a large number of scenarios.
My primary mode of travel with my dogs is via vehicle. Specifically, my SUV.
I fully understand that this affords me the luxurious of bringing just about anything I would wish or want for my dogs.
Depending in your mode of travel, it’s possible you’ll not have the ability to bring all the things you desire to to.
If I used to be flying with my dog, I’d need to narrow this list down. So much!
Cross things off the checklist that you simply opt to not bring, not less than not on the present trip, after you print it out.
My Favorite Dog Travel Essentials
Disclosure: Among the links in this text are affiliate links (Amazon Associate or other programs we take part in). As an affiliate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Also, some brands compensate me for sharing them with you.
For probably the most part, I discussed generic items on the checklist.
Nevertheless, because I travel with my dogs a lot, I really like testing out the most recent and best products, and I actually have really high standards, individuals are often taken with what we use ourselves.
So listed here are a number of the key products we bring with us once we travel and stay in hotels, Airbnbs, vacation cabins, or other accommodations with a roof over our head.
I grouped them as they seem on the checklist below.
I didn’t include every item here because either we don’t have any favorites or we’ve loads we switch between.
Dog Food/Treats/Medication
Attempt to follow the identical food and treats you feed at home so your dog doesn’t get an upset tummy. Travel can already be stressful enough.
Dog Medical Needs
- Dog Nail Clippers – These dog nail clippers from Millers Forge were really useful to me from a veterinarian.
- Protecting paw balm – Our go-to for years has been Musher’s Secret Paw Wax. I’ve recently been experimenting with Tuff-Foot since it’s been highly really useful to me.
- Dog Friendly Bug Repellant – If I would like something totally natural knowing it won’t be as effective when the bugs are super bad, I exploit Wondercide Flea & Tick Spray. If I want to bring out the heavy stuff, I exploit Natrapel Insect Repellent Spray (note: the essential ingredient – picaridin – isn’t approved by the FDA by use on dogs but studies have indicated it’s pretty protected).
Dog Cleansing/Cleanup Supplies
- Air Freshener Spray – I don’t understand how something that smells faintly of Play-Doh can get all the stink out of the air but I believe Pure Ayre Odor Eliminator is pretty amazing.
Having cleansing supplies available in your hotel stay – the identical favorites will work – will help provide you with peace of mind you possibly can handle any accidents.
Dog Travel Essentials
The checklist of dog travel essentials I created is specifically for hotel-type stays.
But, truthfully, the list is usually the identical whether we’re staying in a roofed accommodation, camping in a tent, or happening a road trip.
Pet Travel Checklist
Below is my list of must-haves when traveling with a dog.
Click on either of the pages to access a high-resolution, larger version you possibly can print.
CLICK THE IMAGE FOR A PRINTABLE VERSIONCLICK THE IMAGE FOR A PRINTABLE VERSION
Final Thoughts
While some dog travel essentials will vary by activity and where you might be staying, nearly all of the gear and supplies list stays the identical.
Referencing a checklist as you pack for every dog-friendly trip or vacation will help make sure you don’t forget something vital.
When you are staying in a hotel, you might be likely by a store where you should purchase anything you forgot, or discover that you simply need, however it’s more budget friendly to not buy duplicates of all the things.
If you’re staying in a cabin or Airbnb it’s possible that you simply are in a more distant location and running all the way down to the shop, or finding what you would like there, will probably be difficult.
If you might be camping, there will probably be some things on this list you don’t need.
For instance, the carpet cleaner and air freshener. You’ll be able to cross those things off the checklist.
When you’re flying, you definitely won’t have room in your luggage, or carry on bag, to bring even a fraction of this stuff with you.
You should use this list as a reference though and just circle the things you desire to bring depending on available space and destination type.
Hopefully you discover this printable dog travel essentials checklist helpful.
