Travelling with your dog in the UK – the ultimate guide

Quick takeaways about travelling with a dog in the UK

• Choose your destination and accommodation based on your dog’s needs – from enclosed gardens to space for a travel crate.
• Natures Menu raw nuggets are easy to travel with, or you could try freeze-dried raw when you’re on the go.
• If your dog has car sickness, try not feeding them before the journey or talk to your vet about helpful medications.

 

Taking your dog on holiday with you can be a lot of fun – and sometimes even better than leaving them behind.

The good news is there has been a huge rise in the number of dog-friendly destinations and accommodations in the UK over the last few years. So, travelling with your dog has never been easier. It just takes a little organisation.

The trick is to plan the trip around your pooch. Choose your destination based on their needs and personality, so they won’t get bored, stressed or too tired.

Pick accommodation where dogs are truly welcome, not just accepted. It also helps to plan activities, so you have a list of dog-friendly eateries and attractions.

Read on to learn our top tips for organising the perfect dog-friendly holiday.

 

Before you make a plan

Before you start making plans, ask yourself these questions:

• Does your dog cope well with new experiences?
• Do they get overwhelmed by crowds?
• Do they cope well with car or train journeys?
• Do they get on well with other dogs?

Thinking about these things will help you arrange a holiday that your pooch will enjoy as much as you do. For example, if your dog gets overwhelmed by crowds, avoid taking them to a busy beach in the summer.

And if you feel your dog wouldn’t be comfortable travelling at all, it’s perfectly okay to leave them with a trusted dog sitter, at a friend’s place or their favourite doggy care.

 

Choosing a dog-friendly destination

The right destination for you depends on your dog’s breed, age, needs and personality.

For example, if your young Border Collie needs lots of daily activity, you might want to take them hiking around Snowdonia.

If your older Labrador prefers a short stroll followed by a snooze under a pub table, you could try a tour of the quaintest Cornish fishing villages.

Stuck for ideas for dog-friendly UK destinations? Here are some to get you going:

• New Forest
• Lake District
• North York Moors
• Yorkshire Dales
• Peak District
• Loch Lomond
• Dorset
• Suffolk
• Norfolk
• Devon
• South Wales
• Cornwall
• Somerset
• Pembrokeshire
• Scottish Highlands
• Snowdonia
• Northumberland
• East Anglia.

If you’re looking for dog-friendly beaches, The Independent recently shared their results – with Dorset, Wales and Sussex coming out on top.

 

Finding dog-friendly accommodation

There are now so many destinations for dog-friendly holidays in the UK and there are plenty of handy websites to help you plan:

• Canine Cottages – all these locations are personally checked and you can choose from beachside locations to places with enclosed gardens.
• Dog-friendly National Trust holidays – there are nearly 300 holiday cottages to choose from and dogs go free at every one!
• Dog-Friendly Retreats – a great place for dog-friendly holiday inspiration, there’s even a parks and beauty spots collection.
• Pets Pyjamas – known as the dog-friendly experts, you can find dog-friendly hotels and self-catered spots all in one place.
• Paws & Stay – like the Canopy & Stars of dog-friendly travel, it’s easy to find unusual accommodations like treehouses and remote cabins.

When choosing accommodation, check if:

• There are breed size restrictions.
• There’s a fee for one, two or more dogs.
• The garden is enclosed.
• There’s enough room for your pooch’s crate or bed.
• It’s okay to leave your pooch alone at the property.
• There’s a muddy paw wash.
• There are specific rules like dogs aren’t allowed at the hotel restaurant.
• There’s a local dog sitter who can look after your pooch.
• There’s a freezer to store raw food in (you might want to try freeze-dried raw if easier).

Spend some time reading reviews to make sure the accommodation you choose is truly dog-friendly.

Remember to check how close the accommodation you choose is to the attractions you plan to visit. And look for dog-friendly restaurants and pubs nearby – many dogs don’t enjoy going on long car trips every day.

 

How to get prepped for a dog-friendly holiday

Prepping for your first holiday with your pooch takes a little time and effort, but it will likely be more than worth it.

 

1. Train your dog for specific situations

Spend some time working with your dog on getting settled in the car or the pub.

If you plan to travel by train, take them on a few train rides and teach them to relax on board. If this is a struggle, a local accredited dog trainer or behaviourist can help.

 

2. Look for the nearest vet and animal hospital

Once you’ve chosen your destination, check where the nearest vet and animal hospital are in case of emergency.

 

3. Microchip your dog

If you haven’t done it yet, microchip your dog. Dogs go on accidental adventures now and then. If they get lost far from home, they might not be able to find their way back to you.

 

4. Get dog insurance

Dog insurance can be helpful in case of emergencies. Some policies cover the cost of cancelled holidays and vet hospital stays.

 

5. Visit the vet

A month or so before you travel, visit the vet for a check-up and to update any vaccinations. They will make sure your pooch can travel, is fit and can take part in the activities you’ve planned.

 

Packing for a dog-friendly holiday

Here’s what to pack for a holiday with your pooch:

• Lead, harness, collar and tag
• Water and water bowl (perhaps a collapsible water bowl to use on the go)
• Food and food bowl
• Poo bags
• Travel crate (if they’re crate-trained)
• Dog bed
• Treats and chews
• Toys
• Towel
• Stain remover
• Dog sun cream
• Any medication your dog might need, including flea treatment.

If you’re worried your dog might go on solo adventures while away from home, consider buying a GPS-tracking collar.

This has a GPS device attached to it, which tracks your dog’s position. You can see where your dog is on a map via an app. If in doubt, always keep your dog on lead.

 

Tips for travelling in a car with a dog who has travel sickness

Long car journeys can be hard on dogs with travel sickness. Getting them used to short trips in advance helps a lot.

Here are some tips to help your travel-sick dog feel comfortable in the car:

• Make sure they’re happy to spend time in their travel crate before you leave.
• Add a thin bed or blanket to the crate so they don’t slide around.
• Place a t-shirt you’ve worn in the crate to make them feel safe.
• Tire them out with a fun walk and play session before you leave.
• Avoid feeding them before the journey.
• Fit sunshades to the windows to keep the sun out of the car.
• Lower the windows regularly to get some fresh air in the car.
• Keep the car cool and quiet; avoid loud music.
• Take breaks every hour or two and stop at dog-friendly gardens, pubs or farm shops.

You could also ask your vet if it’s worth giving your dog any medication, pheromone spray or dog ginger biscuits if they really struggle in the car.

 

How to keep dogs cool in hot weather

Dogs are much more likely to overheat than people, so you need to keep a close eye on them on your summer holiday to make sure they keep cool in hot weather.

Keep them well hydrated and out of direct sunlight – and never leave them in a parked car during the warmer months. Offer them drinks regularly and, if it’s particularly warm, you could pack a cool mat too.

Symptoms of heatstroke in dogs include:

• Heavy panting
• Excessive drooling
• Dark red gums
• Being lethargic
• Being sick.

If you think your dog has heatstroke, move them to a cool, shady space quickly and call the vet.

In the meantime, let them drink small amounts of water regularly and wrap them in a cool, wet towel.

 

How to transport raw food while on holiday

If you feed your dog raw food, you can take it with you on holiday. Here’s how:

• Use a cool box to keep the food frozen
• Keep the raw meals separate from other food
• Pack your own chopping board or utensils if you need them for serving (with Natures Menu nuggets, you can just pour, thaw and serve)
• Bring a few extra portions just in case
• Keep raw food in the freezer at your destination until you’re ready to thaw and serve.

 

How to help your dog settle into a new place

Dogs are creatures of habit. Arriving in a new place can feel overwhelming.

Bring familiar items, like their bed, blankets and favourite toys to help them settle in. And let them explore the property and its surroundings in their own time.

Try keeping to their routine as much as possible like sticking to their usual meal and walk times, but it’s not the end of the world if things are a little different – you’re on holiday after all.

You can tire them out during the day by doing some fun activities together, but give them plenty of opportunities to sleep and rest, as they do at home.

Don’t leave them alone at the property or in the hotel room for long – you might need to check the accommodation’s rules on these. You could leave them with some brain-training toys to help reduce anxiety.

You could also give them raw bones or chew toys to help them relax, but always supervise your dog when you give them these.

 

If you’re taking your dog abroad

If you’re heading further afield, you don’t always have to leave your dog behind.

For the latest advice on taking your dog abroad, including when they need a dog passport (and how to get a dog passport) head over to this helpful page on gov.uk.

 

The bottom line

Going on holiday with your dog has never been easier. If you plan your trip around your pooch’s needs, you’ll all have a great time.

Choose a destination where you and your dog can have fun together, so you don’t need to leave them at the accommodation for long.

And finally, get them used to travelling with you in advance, so they’re comfortable on the way there. Ask a vet, trusted trainer or behaviourist for advice before you head.

   
Try our personalised meal plans with quality, natural raw ingredients to help keep your dog healthy and happy.