Dog Travel Packing List: What to Pack for Your Dog

If you asked me what we pack to travel with Schnitzel, my first answer would be not much. But when I unpack Schnitzel’s bag (yes, he has his own special bag, as well as extras that don’t fit inside it), it’s surprisingly a lot! 

Packing everything you need (plus extras just in case), will make for a much happier dog travel experience, especially as having their familiar things around them will help them settle into unfamiliar environments. So, here’s our dog travel packing list…

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Dog Luggage & Schnitzel
Schnitzel inspecting the contents of his bag (the cute Dachshund design in the upper left). Yes, we pack all of this, and more!

Dog Food & Treats

Dog Food
Schnitzel puzzling over how to open his bag of food

The most important essential for your dog is food. Every dog is different with its food requirements, with some dogs fussier than others, but the easiest option while travelling is to stick mainly to kibble (dry food).

Make sure you don’t run too low on supplies, in case when you go to replace your existing food it’s not available, and you need to transition over to a different variety.

We switched to buying this Royal Canin variety while travelling through Europe, as it’s high quality and we were able to find it in nearly every pet store that we visited. Plus the 2kg (4.4 pound) bags weren’t too big when we got a new one, although when you’re carrying your luggage from the train station it sure makes a difference!

We also have some treats for Schnitzel, usually stored in a zip-lock bag (plus an extra small zip-lock bag for my handbag). A lot of his treats have been presents from Airbnb hosts!

Food & Water Bowls

Dog Food & Water Bowls
Just checking to see if any more food has appeared in his bowl…

For Schnitzel’s food and water bowls, we simply brought along his existing pair of basic metal bowls. They’re not too heavy and can be packed one inside the other. Plus, we added some silicone to the bottom of the bowls to stop them slipping around.

Dog Portble Water Bowl
The collapsible dog water bowl folded up…
Dog Portable Water Bowl Collapsed
…and collapsed down flat

Additionally, I usually always carry a collapsible water bowl in my handbag. (I always tried to carry a water bottle for myself, and also use this for Schnitzel.) This is especially important on warmer days.

Harness or Collar, Leash & Muzzle

Dog Harness & Muzzle
Schnitzel’s harness, leash and soft muzzle

Naturally, you’ll need to take your dog’s harness or collar and leash. If you think Schnitzel’s harness looks odd, you’re right! It’s actually a cat harness that we bought him as a puppy, as it was the only one that he our trainer could find to fit him.

Make sure that your dog has a tag with your contact details, ideally your current mobile number. If you change phone numbers while travelling, have a new tag engraved with your latest number.

We also specially bought Schnitzel a soft muzzle for his trip to Europe. There are some train networks in Europe that require dogs to wear a muzzle, no matter their size or temperament. We try to avoid using it, especially as Schnitzel dislikes it, but have this soft muzzle in case.

Dog Bedding

Dog Bedding
Schnitzel loves his bed!

If possible, bring along your dog’s bed from home, even if it is a bit bulky. They’ll be much happier having their familiar bed while staying in an unfamiliar environment – think of it as their home away from home.

We also use Schnitzel’s bed on the back seat of rental cars – he loves to sleep while we drive along the motorway! (Plus, you’ll have less hassle hiring a car if you return it with no sign that a dog was in it.)

Schnitzel also enjoys the comfort of an “alpaca throw” in his bed. It used to be my throw for cold nights on the couch watching TV, but someone else laid claim to it… When he’s travelling on the train or a flight in his carrier bag, we also give him this.

Dog Carrier Bag

Dog Carrier Bag
Schnitzel’s carrier bag. He’s quite happy to get inside it when it’s unzipped!

If you’re going to be flying with your dog in the cabin of a plane or taking them on trains and they’re a small breed, a soft carrier bag is essential.

After flying Schnitzel to Europe in a huge rigid container, we got rid of it on arrival in Spain and found this bag at the local pet store. It’s approximately the right size specified by most airlines and train companies. There was also a smaller size again, for extra small dogs.

It’s quite lightweight for when we’re not using it (although often we pack either Schnitzel’s luggage or groceries inside of it), and even folds flat for storage.

Buy a similar carrier bag, or read my guide on buying the best carrier bag for your dog

Your dog will be much happier riding in a bag like this if they’ve been crate trained, like Schnitzel was. He’s actually quite happy to get inside, even going into it unprompted when we unzip it and he senses we’re about to leave. We add his blanket to make it more comfortable for him.

One extra tip: with some train companies in Europe, small dogs travel for free if they’re in a carrier bag, otherwise they are charged a fee. Additionally, dogs travelling in a carrier bag are exempt from requirements to wear a muzzle, if required.

Dog Seatbelt

Dog Car Seatbelt
A dog car seatbelt to keep your pup safe when travelling by car

A dog seatbelt is a must if you’re travelling by car, including a hire car. In many countries they are compulsory, but even if they aren’t it’s a good idea for the safety of your dog and the other occupants of the car. They’re very compact to pack along with the rest of your dog’s luggage.

One end attaches to your dog’s harness or collar, while the other clips into the regular seatbelt buckle. For the ultimate level of safety, consider buying a dog harness specifically for car travel that has been crash-tested.

Small Towel

Dog Towel
Just like for a hitchhiker, a towel has many uses for a travelling dog

A towel is an extra handy thing to have when travelling with your dog. As well as using it for drying them after a bath or after a walk in the rain, it’s also handy for providing warmth, being something more comfortable to lay down on when at a café terrace and even cleaning muddy paws. (Just make sure to wash it regularly!)

We use a small microfibre towel bought from a hiking shop (originally bought for human use!) It rolls up extra small (if we want to put in my handbag or a backpack) and is quick drying.

Buy a microfibre towel

Dog Outfits

Dog Outfits
Schnitzel’s coat, life jacket, Valentine’s Day t-shirt and pirate bandana

While we don’t usually dress Schnitzel up in dog clothes, we usually pack a couple of practical outfits for him, plus a few decorative ones.

Most importantly, we have a winter coat for him. As well as for cold weather (when arguably dogs don’t need a coat if they’re kept on the move), it’s also handy for wet days. (With Schnitzel’s stomach very close to the ground, it gets wet and muddy very easily.)

We also have a dog life jacket. Schnitzel’s worn it before when swimming, to help him stay afloat. (He’s a terrible swimmer, because he’s surprisingly sturdy.) Additionally, it’s an essential if we take him kayaking or for other water sports.

Buy a dog life jacket

Dog Medicine & Grooming

Dog Medicine & Grooming
Flea/tick and worming medication, plus shampoo and nail clippers

If you’re going to be away for awhile or when your dogs tick/flea or dewormer medicine is due, make sure you take it with you. Ticks in particular can be a danger when you’re spending a lot of time in nature, such as if you’re hiking on your holiday.

If you’re going away for an extended period, stock up on extra supplies before leaving. However, it’s easy to buy both new tick/flea and dewormer products while on the road (albeit possibly different brands).

Obviously, if your dog takes daily medication, take that along too, plus some extra supplies in case you are delayed returning home.

Most dogs will require a brush, in particular if they’ll be spending time walking in grassy fields or swimming. Schnitzel is lucky that he has short fur and doesn’t require brushing.

However, he still sometimes needs a bath (usually after rolling in something smelly!) For travelling, we decanted some of his usual puppy shampoo into a small travel toiletry bottle, plus keep it in a zip-lock bag, in case of spills.

Also consider packing your dog’s nail clippers, if you will be gone for awhile. With Schnitzel, no matter how often he is walked on concrete and hard surfaces, his nails always grow long, and need a regular trim. (His least favourite activity!)

Buy dog nail clippers

Dog Passport & Paperwork

If you’re travelling internationally, you’ll probably require either a dog passport (as used in the EU) or other paperwork (such as a certificate of rabies vaccination). The requirements will differ from country to country, but make sure you’re ready well in advance.

I recommend taking the originals (if required) or a printed out copy, plus storing an extra scanned copy on your phone.

Poop Bags & Zip-Lock Bags

It goes without saying that you’ll need a stash of poop bags, which are also easily purchased at most supermarkets. No-one likes a dog owner that doesn’t clean up after their pup!

Stock up on poop bags

It’s also good to bring along a stash of zip-lock bags. Whether you use them for storing food, treats, wet items or the like, they’ll come in handy somewhere. (On short trips, I usually measure out the exact amount of food required, plus some extra, rather than take the big bag.)

Buy some zip-lock bags

Favourite Toys

Dog Toys
Schnitzel’s favourite toys

Finally, don’t forget your one or two of your dogs favourite toys!

I’m sure they’ll be out and about a lot of the time having adventures, but whether it’s to keep them entertained on quiet evenings, distract them with something to chew on while you eat dinner at a cafe, or just give them the comfort of home, they’ll be appreciative. And isn’t it your pets vacation, too?

Schnitzel’s favourite toys are his Kong Classic and his much-chewed tasty bone.

Buy a Kong Classic toy

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About the Author

Photo of Shandos & Schnitzel

Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.

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What to Pack for Your Dog

9 thoughts on “Dog Travel Packing List: What to Pack for Your Dog”

  1. Greetings, just wanted to inform you that we had a great time at Marina de Bolnuevo in June of this year. We flew into Alicante and hired a car from the airport for the short drive to Bolnuevo. The beaches are fantastic, most of them awarded the Blue Flag. The restaurents were great, with paella on the beach a delight and managed a day on the nudist beach there. Very liberating. We also visited the Big Guns, The Roman Mines and the Sand sculptures. Will be returning there again next year. Look forward to meeting you at Marina de Bolnuevo in the next few months. Thanks for reading Niall.

    Reply
  2. Great tips Shandos! We’ve recently ordered a bacon flavoured TastyBone (puppy sized) and can’t wait to see what Kai makes of it… fingers crossed he likes it enough to give up chewing our table legs ?

    Reply
    • I’m sure he’ll love it! Schnitzel is a big fan of flavoured bones. I’ve got no recommendations on stopping dogs from chewing – we were lucky that Schnitzel didn’t chew much, except for Havaiana flip-flips. The solution was to skip buying Havaianas and just get the cheap ones!

      Reply
  3. Its always useful to have a checklist so thank you! I was not aware of the how different the rules of travel were but the more you know the smoother travelling is. Definently was worth the read!

    Reply
  4. For Kota, bringing food is always a travel challenge. As he is a 25kg/50lb doberman, so the weight of his food and the space his food takes up in luggage is A LOT! His normal food is Royal Canin kibble and then we also mix in soft food. The soft food is in cans, which are not light! When we travel in the car, we just take all his normal dog food with us. No big deal. When we travel by train/ferry/bus, however, we take a couple days worth of his food (1 big ziplock bag and 1 can) and then when we get to where we are going we usually buy chicken and rice and just make that for him every day instead of dog food. He prefers this over dog food anyway! haha. Since we usually stay in Airbnb’s with a kitchen this is easier than buying bags/cans of dog food to lug around. Hope that is a useful tip for people with bigger dogs and perhaps for longer non-car trips.

    Reply
    • It surely must weigh a lot or need constant restocking! Schnitzel is only 5kg and my husband always complains when we have a new bag of food to carry in his backpack. Thanks for the tips on what you do, it’s great to hear what other people do.

      Reply

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