Weekend away with your dog: a practical packing checklist

Take the familiar essentials. Leave room for the weekend.

Pack around your dog's usual routine, the journey and what your accommodation provides. This checklist covers everyday kit for a short stay; it is not a substitute for destination-specific rules, veterinary advice or specialist travel requirements.

Check the stay before you pack

Confirm that your dog is accepted, whether there are size or number restrictions, which rooms or outdoor areas are accessible, and whether any additional charges apply. Ask what is provided rather than assuming a dog-friendly booking includes bowls, bedding or towels.

Check arrival arrangements, nearby walking options and any local restrictions relevant to your plans. Do not build a trip around a product arriving at the last moment.

Everyday walking kit

• A correctly fitted harness or collar, with the identification details appropriate to your trip.
• A suitable lead in good condition.
• Waste bags and a way to carry them until disposal.
• Your usual walking bag, packed with essentials rather than duplicates.

Check fit and condition before leaving. Use our harness fit guide when measurements have changed, and follow the individual product's instructions.

Food, water and routine

• Your dog's usual food, with a sensible contingency for the trip.
• Food and water bowls appropriate to the stay.
• Water for the journey and planned stops.
• Any prescribed items and the instructions you normally follow, kept securely.

Plan how you will store food and carry water. Do not assume a compact accessory has enough capacity for every journey or dog.

A familiar place to settle

• A familiar blanket or suitable portable bed.
• A towel and any everyday grooming items you need.
• Familiar enrichment or toys appropriate to supervised use.
• A separate bag for damp or dirty items.

Measure the space available in your luggage and room before choosing bedding. Our bed size guide and care guide help you compare size and practical cleaning.

The journey and contact details

• Travel arrangements and equipment suitable for your dog and the mode of transport.
• Your usual vet's details and a suitable local veterinary contact for the destination.
• Accommodation confirmation, contact number and relevant rules.
• A plan for breaks and somewhere appropriate to stop.

Walking equipment and bedding are not automatically vehicle-restraint systems. Check current official travel guidance and the intended use of each item separately. For journeys across borders, confirm documentation and health requirements in advance.

Before you close the bag

Remove unnecessary duplicates, check that wet items can be kept apart and keep the essentials you need en route accessible. The checkboxes on this page are temporary and are not saved between visits. Use the print button for a paper copy.

Explore walking bags, blankets and our kit-building guide.