Dog travel essentials checklist when planning a trip with your pet

Traveling with your dog? There are many essentials they will need and to consider packing when planning a trip. Plus, snag the totally FREE, downloadable checklist.

Over the last few years we have traveled quite a bit – with our dogs! It actually saves us more money to bring them along (rather than boarding them), and as for me – I’m rest assured that they are going to be taken care of. This means there are necessary pet travel essentials I make sure to bring along with me each time we plan and take a trip.

Granted, when I say we “travel“, I mean we usually get to where we’re going by car. I’m more of a road trip kind of gal, anyway, while my husband would probably prefer to get there faster by plane. For me, vacationing is a journey and getting there is part of that.

If you have kids, then you know the struggle of not only packing what you need, but the essentials for them as well. There are also important must-haves when traveling with your dog, just as there are for you or your kids!

Some of these items you may not have thought of, so instead I came up with a universal list that gives you ultimately what you should be packing – including a FREE printable checklist!

Travel essentials to pack for your dog (+ a FREE checklist)

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A travel bag specifically for your dog

You keep all of your stuff in one neatly organized space, so why not the same for your dog? Having a pet travel bag really makes traveling that much easier and convenient when you’re lugging your dog’s stuff to and fro. Plus, you’ll know exactly where you put it – in the bag!

For my senior boy, he also has a lot of supplements and important medications now…and I prefer those to have their own place. So even having a separate little medicine bag is ideal for certain things specifically for your dog that you want to keep contained, whether it be medications or a first aid kit.

Leash and collar

You’d have a pretty hard time getting around with your pet without these, especially in a case where they might get loose, so make sure it’s first on the list!

Depending on your travel endeavors (camping, hiking, dog-friendly parks, etc.), your dog might be required to have a leash that is no more than 6 feet long (so that would mean no retractable leashes) as well as having a collar and rabies tag up-to-date.

Pro tip: with frequent travel, it’s way easier for me to just have a second “travel”-designated leash and collar, or harness, on hand (in my travel bag).

I’m not a huge fan of chain collars, which can risk damage of the trachea, and I’m quite fond of harnesses over collars in many cases. One of my favorites is this soft mesh dog harness, which has triple protection from your dog not only getting out of the harness but off the leash. After several years this one has held up seamlessly, and it’s super easy to clean. Plus, it’s made of a soft material, making this a comfort-focused option for your dog without tension around the neck (perfect for dogs with collapsed trachea or neck and back issues).

Food (and storage)

It’s best to keep your pet on the same food they’re given at home during your travels – it keeps their digestive tract consistent and you’re less likely to run into stomach upsets.

The easiest way I find is measuring out the amount of food daily, plus an extra day or two in case, in a Ziploc bag or specific pet food storage container (this one’s collapsable).

Just don’t forget a measuring cup!

Food and water dish

These, obviously, being a given. Make sure to have two separate bowls for both – so that you can pet can have access to water at all times. Depending on your travel whereabouts, I find these collapsible dog bowls to be efficient and handy for conserving space as well as on-the-go (especially if you’re out hiking).

Calming aids & preventative

If your furry companion has a hard time on a plane, train or in the car – calming aids can help keep their travel anxiety at bay. Aids like Zylkene have worked wonders for my high-energy, anxious car rider when on long road trips (no, it’s not a tranquilizer). It’s a natural supplement with calming properties using hydrolyzed milk protein from cows. Start by giving a few days before for it to take full effect, and continue use through your travels for keeping your pet calm and comfortable.

Another option is CBD, which I currently provide my little guy on a daily basis. It not only helps his old-man joints (especially on long car rides) but it helps with his anxiety. I use ElleVet because it’s a Veterinary-approved and derived formula, and worth the price tag since a little goes can go a long way.

Another important travel essential for your dog is preventative, such as Heartworm preventative. If your travels fall on the time frame your pet should be receiving it, make sure to pack it with you!

Bed and/or blanket

Make your pet feel the most comfortable while they are away from home by bringing their own bed or blanket. Not only will this give a sense of security in a strange environment, your pet is less likely to stress in the overnight hours (and allowing you a better night sleep).

Each pet will have their own preference of the type of bed and blanket they like, so take the time and money to invest in one they will absolutely love. If your dog is a hot sleeper, like mine, these cooling blankets are magical.

Treats

Because you should never stop rewarding good behavior, right? No, especially not when your pet will be in unfamiliar surroundings. Treats are not only for reward, but can be used as a source of entertainment (by using interactive treat toys). These will help keep your pet busy while unattended and distract them while relieving stress in strange environments.

Here are some of my favorite mental-stimulating toys that are worth having on hand during your travels (if you can pack ’em):

• Foraging Snuffle Mat for Dogs
• Interactive Anxiety-relief Lick Mat
• Interactive Treat Game

Favorite toy(s)

My dog simply cannot seem to function without having his favorite toy in plain sight (even when we are traveling).  His favorite toy is his security as much as it is a way for him to have that “home away from home” feel when we travel to new places. As a pet parent, I am at peace knowing my dog is comfortable enough to want to engage in play in new, strange environments.

You don’t need to bring the whole toy box, but a couple favorites should suffice when traveling with your pet.

First aid

Because you really never know when incidents may strike. Granted, the first aid isn’t going to take care of things that a vet can, but there are items that can be necessary in emergency cases to hold your pet over until they can get to the vet or emergency clinic. So I like to have a separate “medicine bag” or first aid kit on hand.

These items include (and are not limited to),

• Benadryl – for allergic reactions or if your pet suffers from chronic skin/allergy flare ups. Disclaimer: talk to your vet prior to giving your pet any non-prescribed medications. 
• Hydrogen Peroxide (this can be used in cases to clean minor cuts/scrapes, as well as for possible digestion of toxic solids) – if your pet ingests anything that is toxic (chocolate, onions, grapes, medications, etc.) peroxide is a fast-acting solution to help your pet regurgitate, but it will need to be used immediately to be effective.
• Bandages – Adhesive vet wrap and gauze.
• Flea & Tick removal kit
• Flea/Tick shampoo
• Probiotics – if your pet comes down with stomach upset, these are a great way to help your pet’s digestive tract. These you can get from your vet (do not give your pet over-the-counter probiotics), or you opt for packing some canned pumpkin.

Poop bags

I’m just going to say one thing here (especially if you have a poop-eater on your hands) – not all pets are in optimal health, and many diseases can be spread and passed along through stool alone. Plus, you don’t want to be that guy or gal…pick up your dog’s feces, please.

Our duty, as pet owners, should be taking part in making sure we refrain from spreading those diseases (which can be fatal in some cases) by picking up after our pets. Worms are spread through the stool (such as hooks and tapeworm), and can be passed on to your pet by simply stepping on or eating other animal’s stool.

It’s also important to refrain from allowing your pets to eat things they shouldn’t – when you’re traveling to new places, this should be making you more aware of what your pets might be getting into. So don’t walk, run when it comes to always having biodegradable poop bags on hand.

Bath products

Depending on how long you’re traveling, and what you’re doing – it might be your best bet to bring along a travel size of pet shampoo (just in case). If your dog is getting wet from swimming, you really want to wash off the salt, lake or pool water in order to protect their skin. Plus, you just never know what your pet might get into when you’re not looking.

The bath essentials I typically always have on hand:

• Shampoo
• Ear cleaner
• Nail clippers
• Tweezers
• Cotton balls
• Brush/comb

Download your FREE printable Pet Travel Checklist!

This post contains affiliate links. All products and links listed on TML are affiliates through 3rd parties such as Awin, Etsy and Amazon. Meaning, at no cost to you, by clicking and purchasing through those links I will earn a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. To learn more read TML Terms and Disclosure.