Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Taking dog on holiday: Tips needed.

7 replies

UnderTheFridge · 29/01/2026 11:29

I’m considering taking my new dog on a UK holiday in 4 months. I’ve never done this before as my last few dogs wouldn’t have enjoyed it so they have always stayed with family, and that’s what my other dog will be doing as he’d hate it.

Does anyone have any tips/advice on taking your dog on holiday? We’ll be booking dog friendly accommodation of course.

Any advice would be welcome.

TIA

OP posts:
puppyparent · 29/01/2026 11:33

We’ve started doing this recently. I’m probably not doing everything right (!) and am sure others will have more tips but a few things I’ve learned are:

bring lots of doggie towels to keep your car and accommodation free of muddy paws

keep dog off the furniture

prioritise finding and spending time in lovely big fields/beaches/trails so your dog enjoys a fun holiday too and looks forward to the next one :)

Dearg · 29/01/2026 11:41

First tip - buy or rent a huge car. My dogs do not travel light !

As pp suggested, pick a location where there are lots of things to do to tire them out. Beach or loch if they are swimmers, forest for walks, maybe look to see if there are private fields you could rent if that’s something your dog enjoys.

Take the dogs own bed.

Lots of towels , shampoo or similar in case they get really dirty, and if your dog is a furniture hog, & the venue allows, take a blanket or sheet to fully cover said furniture. Remember their drying robe or coat if that’s something you use.

Sort their food out - however many meals they will need plus a contingency and put it in a sealed box, similarly treats and meds.

Balls, a toy or too, brain game, chew - whatever they normally like to do to calm themselves.

Find the number of a vet local to your holiday home. Just in case.

My two labs were both pretty good travellers, but we have had a couple of holiday vet visits in the last 14 years - luckily nothing major - but sometimes the new environment does not agree with one of them.

Melsy88 · 29/01/2026 11:49

Find an area that is very dog friendly. Most accommodation doesn't allow you to leave the dog alone so they will need to join you for meals out etc. Also check the rules of the accommodation if your dog sleeps upstairs etc. Some 'dog friendly' accommodation wont allow dogs upstairs, which can be a problem if your dog is used to that at home.

If going to the coast, check dog restrictions - a lot are dog free in the summer months. Also best not to go in the height of the summer as if you get days when its too hot for the dog, then you'll end up stuck at the accommodation with not much to do !

I love going away with my dog and tend to do it at least once a year, but if I can i book last minute for a few days. The weather plays a big part in how enjoyable the trip is in my opinion! You need no rain, not too hot and not too cold !

If you're travelling alone with dog, and plan to have some meals in the accommodation, take food with you as can be tricky going to supermarket if you can't leave the dog in the accommodation.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Whatineed · 29/01/2026 12:05

I take the dog on summer holiday every year, but to Italy which has specific dog beaches and even supermarket trollies for your dog as it's simply too hot to leave them in cars for a short time. It's a very dog friendly destination.

I usually take him for a good morning walk before the drive to tire him out, then I line the back seat with old towels and put the dog bed on top. He has a harness that clicks into the seat belt so he can't move around too much or distract the driver. (it's the law in our country anyway).

Plenty of stops on the way for water, toilet and sniffs. I keep a bag behind the seat to save digging around in the boot with his leash, dog sacks, travel bowl, travel water bottle, kitchen roll, snacks and food if needed with the timings.

I weigh out his food and bag it at home to cover enough for the trip. I usually make up a Kong with frozen yogurt to keep him distracted in the car, but he usually sleeps or enjoys looking out of the back window.

I check the accommodation to make sure there is a gated area if there's outside seating, eg in a mobile home, so that we can relax when we sit/eat outside.

As their routine is a little thrown, you might find that they don't eat at their usual times, but I try to still ensure it's the usual routine where possible to put food down.

A couple of spare tea towels are useful to rest bowls on, so he doesn't make a mess on the floor. I also take one of those dish brushes you fill with washing up liquid so we don't use the same cloths etc to clean the bowls, and it's nice and transportable in a zip lock bag.

And of course his favourite tennis balls and soft toy.

CMOTDibbler · 29/01/2026 12:07

Check what the accommodation means by dog friendly- it varies from dogs barely tolerated, only allowed in the kitchen, to dogs can go anywhere.

puppyparent · 29/01/2026 12:29

Yes - check the accommodation’s dog rules (ie where the dog can/can’t go) and their dog-related services/facilities - some hotels I’ve stayed at, for example, provide a dog bed, food bowls, poop bags, biscuits, etc. and one place even had dog sitters you could pay to keep your doggo company while you were out and about. Which is really helpful.

also check to make sure there’s a spot right outside the accommodation where your dog can wee and poop easily. A private garden type thing is best but at the very least you’ll want a grassy patch/lawn/field no more than a few steps away.

JeffTheSquirrel · 29/01/2026 12:32

I genuinely read that as “talking dog on holiday”, and was expecting a That’s Life moment.

Think I might need new glasses.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page