Going on Holiday With Your Dog: Choosing the Right Location, What to Pack & Staying Safe

Holidaying with your dog can be one of the best experiences, I’ve travelled with my dogs many times, from coastal breaks to countryside retreats, and with the right prep it’s smooth, safe and genuinely enjoyable for both of you. This guide covers how to choose a dog‑friendly location, what to pack, and the safety steps every owner should take before setting off.

Choosing a Dog‑Friendly Holiday Location

Look for genuinely dog‑friendly areas

Some places say they’re dog‑friendly, but the reality can be very different. Before booking, check:

  • Local beach rules (many UK beaches have seasonal dog restrictions)
  • Woodland and countryside access
  • Dog‑friendly pubs, cafés and shops
  • Availability of shaded walking routes for hot days

Avoid extreme heat destinations

Dogs struggle in high temperatures, especially brachy breeds, and seniors. UK coastal areas, lakes and countryside stays are usually safer and more comfortable.

Choose the right accommodation

Look for:

  • A secure, enclosed garden
  • Easy access to walking routes
  • Pet‑friendly policies without harsh chemical cleaners (If your dog has sensitive skin, bring natural products, you can find gentle options here: Skin and Coat Care

Before You Travel: Essential Prep

Microchip details

Make sure your dog’s microchip details are up to date. As a registered microchip implanter, I always remind owners of this, it’s one of the simplest ways to keep your dog safe if they get lost in an unfamiliar area.

Stick to their routine

Keep feeding times, supplements and exercise as close to normal as possible. Sudden changes can cause stress or tummy upsets.

Plan regular rest stops

On long journeys, stop every 1–2 hours for:

  • Water
  • Stretching
  • Cooling down
  • Toilet breaks

Natural calming support

If your dog gets anxious travelling, consider gentle calming aids. You can browse natural options here: Calming

What to Pack: Your Dog’s Holiday Checklist

You can turn this into a downloadable graphic or printable checklist for your customers — it’s a great value‑add.

Daily essentials

  • Food (enough for the whole trip)
  • Treats
  • Fresh water & travel bowl
  • Lead, harness, long line
  • Poo bags
  • Cleaning wipes
  • Bedding or blanket
  • Favourite toy
  • Towels
  • Throws

Health & wellbeing

  • Supplements
    • Joint support for active holidays
    • Gut support for travel‑related tummy upsets
    • Skin support for new environments Your supplement range: Supplements Range
  • Your Dogs own Medication

First‑aid essentials

These are non‑negotiable, and we talk about this in detail on our Canine First Aid Course because emergencies on holiday can be stressful and time‑critical.

Pack:

  • Tick remover
  • Wound spray
  • Bandages
  • Cooling gel
  • Electrolytes
  • Paw balm
  • Natural shampoo or rinse
  • Sun Block

You can find ready‑made kits and first‑aid essentials here: First Aid

Have a List of Local Vets Ready

This is one of the most overlooked holiday prep steps.

Before you travel:

  • Search for local vets near your accommodation
  • Save their phone numbers
  • Save their opening hours
  • Check if there’s an out‑of‑hours emergency clinic nearby
  • Keep the details printed AND saved on your phone

We emphasise this heavily in our Canine First Aid Course,in an emergency, you don’t want to waste precious minutes searching online. Classroom @ the Paw-works

Keeping Your Dog Safe on Holiday

Heat safety

  • Avoid midday walks
  • Use shade and cooling aids
  • Never leave dogs in cars
  • Watch for signs of heatstroke (panting, drooling, wobbling, bright red gums)

Water safety

  • Not all dogs are natural swimmers
  • Avoid strong currents
  • Watch for blue‑green algae
  • Rinse off after swimming to avoid skin irritation

Local hazards

  • Adders
  • Ticks
  • Foxtails
  • Sand irritation
  • Unfamiliar plants
  • Hot pavements (use paw balm)

Making the Holiday Enjoyable for Your Dog

  • Allow plenty of sniffing, new environments are mentally enriching
  • Keep walks fun but not overwhelming
  • Provide downtime; holidays can be tiring
  • Use calming support if the area is busy or noisy
  • Stick to familiar food to avoid tummy upsets

Dog‑Friendly UK Holiday Spots

A few great options:

  • Lake District
  • Norfolk coast
  • Cornwall (outside peak beach restrictions)
  • Peak District
  • Scottish Highlands
  • Northumberland Coast

Taking your dog on holiday can be brilliant, but good planning is essential, particularly when you’re heading somewhere unfamiliar. A little preparation goes a long way: choose a location that suits your dog, pack the essentials they rely on, and make sure you have first‑aid items and a list of nearby vets ready before you travel. Once you’re away, keep things calm, safe and familiar so your dog can enjoy the break as much as you do.

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