On holiday with your dog, read our tips & tricks here

Travelling with a dog takes more planning than most first-timers expect. The good news is that with a bit of preparation, it's manageable. For many dogs, a holiday is just another adventure with their person. Here are the practical tips that matter.

Routine remains important

Holidays are great for discovering new places and doing new things. That's less obviously true for your dog. Dogs are creatures of habit and rely on a consistent daily routine. When travel disrupts that, the main things to protect are feeding times, walk times, and sleep. Bring enough of the food and treats your dog is used to — switching food on holiday adds digestive stress on top of travel stress, which is a combination worth avoiding.

Holiday activities

Adapt activities to what your dog can actually handle. A full day on the beach in the sun is rarely fun for a dog — long hikes in the countryside are a different story. Near heights, cliffs, or viewpoints, keep your dog on a lead. Their spatial awareness at edges is different from ours and they can misjudge distances. Pack enough food, snacks, and water for the full duration of the activity, and always follow local rules on leads and dog access.

In hot climates, avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day — typically 11am to 3pm. Provide fresh drinking water frequently to prevent dehydration. One thing worth knowing: for double-coated breeds, the thick undercoat can act as natural insulation against heat, not just cold. Shaving it very short before a trip can actually remove that protection. Check with your vet what's right for your specific breed before making changes.

Make sure your dog is relaxed

Some dogs find long journeys, car rides, or new environments uncomfortable. For them, the holiday isn't the relaxing experience it is for you. Take regular breaks on long drives, get out for fresh air and a short walk, and give your dog time to settle in at the destination before heading out for big activities. IMBY's Bedtime Snacks are worth packing if your dog struggles to wind down in unfamiliar places. They're designed to support calm and restful sleep. For dogs with more pronounced travel anxiety, the IMBY Calm & Chill supplement is another option to consider starting a few days before the trip.

What should you take with you on a trip?

Better to pack too much than arrive without something you need. Here is what to bring:

• Enough food and snacks for the whole trip, plus a couple of days extra
• Food and water bowls, plus a water bottle for outings
• Poo bags (plenty of them)
• Pet passport
• Lead and collar with ID tag
• Familiar bedding, cushion, or crate
• Favourite toy
• Brush and a tick remover

Check your dog for tick bites after every walk in wooded or grassy areas, and consider a tick prevention product if you're heading into tick habitat. Prevention is significantly easier than treatment.

Choose the right destination

Start with whether the destination actually works for your dog. A city break with a high-energy dog and nowhere to run isn't great for either of you. A dog-friendly hotel, a holiday cottage with a garden, or a campsite in the countryside — those work. Think about travel distance too. A long journey can be tiring and disorienting even for a well-travelled dog. Shorter trips close to home are easier on everyone, and frankly better for the environment too.

Would your dog rather stay at home?

If your dog is elderly, unwell, pregnant, very anxious, or if travel is impractical for your household, don't force it. There are excellent pet sitters and dog boarders who can look after your dog at home or in a familiar environment while you travel. Your dog stays comfortable; you travel without worrying. That's a better outcome than a stressful trip for both of you.