The Simple Pre-Trip Secret Every Dog Parent Should Know

Are you looking forward to a fall getaway with your dog? If you’re like me, you worry you’ll forget something important for your buddy.

I’ve learned the key to packing my dog, Henry, for a trip is a great dog travel checklist done in stages. I know preparation for anything is the drag. The fun part seems so far off in the distance. After I forgot most of Henry’s supplies at home, I learned a few great tricks to avoid it in the future.

I now break my dog travel checklist down into manageable parts so I don’t forget anything. I’m certain my tricks will help you as well. Also, I’m including a FREE dog travel checklist. Don’t forget to download your copy!

a happy dog is excited to go on holiday with a great dog travel checklist

Budget Tip:

Preparation goes a long ways. It helps you to avoid any unnecessary trips to the store for items you forgot. Forgotten items purchased where you can are often very expensive (talking from experience). Packing properly in a steped process really does work. It's a major win-win for your dog and your wallet!

Table of Contents

1. Pre-departure for your dog travel adventures

Verify your dog has his records up to date
Make a hard copy of his health certificate and vaccine records
Refill any RXs he may need
If your dog is an anxious traveler, you may want to talk with your veterinarian about CBD, other alternatives, and prescriptions to assist him in his car travel.
Ensure that his ID tag is correct and readable
Check out where you will be staying and make sure it’s pet friendly
Ensure there are local veterinarians, just in case
Write down your dog’s microchip number, where he’s registered, and make sure all the information is up-to-date just in case you get separated.

Next, I move on to what I like to call my Henry’s grab-and-go bag. This will include things he may need on the road or will need soon after we arrive at our destination.

Are you confused about dog microchips? In this article, I guide you through everything you need to know and how you can save on your expenses.

Before you leave, you may want to trim your dog’s nails. Learn how to do it easily in this article.

2. Grab-and-go bag for your dog

cute dog peeks out as dog mom is ready for a vacation with the best dog travel checklist

Foldable water bowl
Poop bags
Several water bottles
Copy of your dog’s health and vaccine records
Good picture of your dog, just in case
Leash
Harness (if your dog isn’t wearing it in the car)
Doggie wipes aren’t just for messy pups. You never know what you may encounter on the road.
3-4 packages of food (ziplock bags will work or you can use small BPA free plastic containers)
3-4 doses of any RXs your dog may need
Other supplements your dog may need (I now leave the Benadryl at home because Henry’s allergic to it)
Dog first aid kit (or you can also put one together yourself)
A ball or toy to release a little energy during potty breaks
A small amount of treats, because he’s bound to be a good boy. Although, I like to share my carrots, which are a bit healthier.

Do you give your dog Benadryl? You might be surprised to learn that a dog can develop a severe allergic reaction to Benadryl after years of use. This happened with Henry. In this article, I discuss what happened and the costs associated with it.

If you’re frustrated with trying to open doggie poo bags, you’ll want to read this article about a simple free hack that solves the problem with items you already have at home.

After the grab-and-go bag is packed, I turn my attention to his “suitcase”, which could just be a bigger duffle bag. These are things your dog shouldn’t need while traveling but will need during your vacation.

3. Dog suitcase

1-2 Towels
1-2 blankets
1 bed
RXs for the duration of the vacation
Food should be enough for the holiday duration. Keep in mind that if you are planning on being very active with lots of hiking or activities, your dog may need a little more food than normal to maintain his weight.
Paw booties – these are great for protecting delicate paws on rocky hikes, hot cement, weedy walks, and snowy paths.
3-4 favorites toys
Extra poop bags
Shampoo and conditioner (I’m always amazed at how dirty a dog can get exploring)
Flashlight for the nighttime pee walks
Extra doggie wipes, because, well we all know.
More treats, because he’s certain to be a good dog or if you’re like me focus more on natural treats, like carrots and apples.
Raincoat/Sweater/Coat/Cooling Vest depending on the time of year and where you go
Dental supplies
Brush for grooming
Pee pads if you have a puppy or just in case
Stain and Odor remover spray – mostly if you have a puppy who’s not completely potty trained
Paper towels because you never know
Extra ziplock bags
Lint roller

TIP

Another great tip I learned from my mother as a child was to always pack 2-3 days extra of anything essential item when packing for a vacation. This includes things like medications or food. I’ve been grateful for this piece of advice on more than one occasion.

Overwhelmed with the cost of dog treats? Learn how to surprisingly cut those costs and still spoil your pup in this article.

Discover how to brush your shedding dog to reduce mats in this article.

4. Car dog travel essentials

Crate (you may want to travel with your dog crated. He or you may travel better crated).
Pad for the crate so that he’s comfortable.
Crate fan to prevent overheating
Safety belt or booster seat and safety belt. My dog does better if he can see out so he has a booster seat with a safety belt.
Towel, blanket, or seat cover if you have a high-shedding dog and want to preserve your car seats one of these is essential.

So, what really are the cost benefits of planning with packing my dog’s vacation supplies?

This is a great question. And I know it can happen often because let’s face it, life happens. I learned the hard way that when you rush, you tend to forget. That means you have to make an emergency run to the nearest pet store to get everything you forgot. Unfortunately, that can be very pricey. For me, it meant buying double supplies of items I really didn’t need at the moment like a big brush, bowls, dog wipes, vitamins, and a leash.

Yep, I pulled a major oops! The good news was that I got some credit card points. But I didn’t need that added expense at that point. So, from that experience, I learned how to pack for Henry in stages. I won’t make that mistake again. And I also created the dog travel checklist, which you can download for free. It really does help.

Grab your dog and hit the road, but don’t forget your checklist

In this post, we examined how to break down your dog’s travel checklist into manageable bits, including pre-departure, grab-and-go dog bag, dog suitcase, and finally, dog car essentials. While it can be overwhelming to prepare for a vacation, preparation is key, and a proper checklist is always helpful.