Dog Travel Checklist

Pack your dog’s bag with the essentials before you hit the road.

Follow this simple checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything for your dog while traveling.
Food and water

  • Dry food in zip-up bags.
  • Food and water bowls.
  • Rawhide bones or other natural treats. Giving your pet a rawhide bone while traveling can provide your pet with relief from boredom. An effective rawhide chew can last for hours. If you have a puppy, the rawhide bone cannot only provide continuous stimulation, but can relieve your puppy’s teething pain.
  • Water bottles filled with water from home. It will be easier to get your dog to drink if it's familiar water from home. Water in different places can taste and smell different and your pet may not want to drink it.

Medical supplies

  • Calming remedies help with motion sickness and the stress that comes along with traveling.
  • Medications.
  • Health papers. Check before traveling on specific requirements especially if traveling internationally. Some places require that you have up-to-date health papers on hand.
  • Your veterinarian’s phone number and any emergency contact information.

Miscellaneous items

  • Normal grooming supplies. For example, if your pet tends to jump in to bodies of water, bring dog shampoo. In new environments your dog could come in contact with bugs and plants that neither of you are used to.
  • Paper towels.
  • Antibacterial baby wipes.
  • ID tags. Make sure to have identification tags on your dog's collar and carrier. You may also want to consider getting your dog micro-chipped.
  • Toys can keep your dog stimulated both while traveling and once you've reached your destination. Bringing remnants from your pet's home can make the transition easier while he is away.