Our dogs are a very important part of our family. So when we think about going on vacation or traveling to visit family, it's natural that we may want to bring them with us.

Some dogs are great travelers and some may have a bit of a difficult time. So, to help you have the best vacation you can have with them, we have put together the following tips:

Things You'll Need:

Essentials & Safety Gear

1. Your dog's collar and tags
2. A harness and leash
3. Waste bags
4. A pet carrier or crate. If you're traveling by plane, make sure the size of the carrier or crate follows the airline's guidelines.
5. If you're traveling in a car, make sure you have a good safety harness or dog car seat. This is a great way to keep your dog restrained and safe in case of an accident or an abrupt break.
6. Any medicines your dog may be taking.
7. A small first aid kit is recommended. Here's how to create your own First Aid Kit
8. Local Veterinarians contact information

Food

1. Enough food for the amount of time you'll be away.
2. In case you don't have easy access to water, plan to pack or purchase water bottles.
3. Collapsible food and water bowls
4. Treats

Toys and Comfort Items

1. A few toys. When we travel with Minnie's, we like to take a fetching toy for exercise, a puzzle ball for meal time, and a bone for her to chew on.
2. A brush for grooming
3. Their favorite blanket
4. A pet bed in case they don't like to sleep inside their crates/carriers

Safety Precautions

• Don't leave your dog inside your car unattended. Even if you leave your windows open, temperatures inside of a car can still go higher than recommended.

 Travel Considerations

• If you're taking public transportation, make sure that the bus, train, or plane you're taking allows pets. Not all services allow pets and some have restrictions on breed and size.
• If you're traveling internationally, make sure to check the requirements of your destination country, city, or town. The rules and laws can be different depending on where you're going. If traveling internationally, you can verify these rules by visiting the official embassy website of the country you are planning to go to.

Choosing Where to Stay

When choosing a hotel or Airbnb, make sure that it is dog-friendly. Also, check if the place where you're staying has any restrictions. Some restrict the number of pets you can bring or the type of pets.

Choosing Where to Go (Activities and Restaurants)

While the amount of dog-friendly locations has continued to increase, not every restaurant or activity is dog-friendly just yet (maybe one day!). So before heading out on your trip, it's always helpful to make a list of a few places that you can be sure to visit. If you need some help to get started on this, here's a list of dog-friendly restaurants + tips and resources to find more.

Below is a FREE printable checklist you can use to make sure you don't forget anything.

Just enter your email below to download it, as well as access to all of our past and future free printables! And if you like them, show us on Instagram or Twitter so we can shout you out!

And if you're looking for what to pack for yourself...

Maybe consider taking a shirt from our "Travel & Pets" Collection. Easy way to show that you love both, traveling and your doggie.