Packing for your Dog’s Luggage

Heading to a cottage or weekend getaway with your pup? It’s easy for us humans to adapt to a new environment, but our dogs like routine. Here’s a few tips that I followed when bringing my dog to his very first cottage weekend, and don’t forget to pack these things when loading up the car to keep the feeling of “home” for them, no matter where you are.

Before you leave:

• Double check that your accommodations are pet friendly. Most rentals will indicate if the accommodations are pet friendly, and if so, they may include additional house rules, such as: no pets on furniture, no pets in the pool, pets must be leashed at all times when outdoors, etc.
• Bookmark the closest emergency veterinary clinic and/or hospital.
• Plan activities that include them! They don’t want to be in a new place and stuck all alone while you’re all out. My dog loved spending hours on the beach, taking in all the smells that came with the water. We also planned one big and one small hike each day, scheduling naps in-between.
• Make sure they are up to date with vaccinations, and consider bringing medication for fleas, ticks, and parasites.
• If your dog will be swimming, check with city websites to ensure that the water is clean and free from dangerous bacteria.
• Avoid feeding your dog immediately before the car ride. Allow their meal to digest for at least an hour, and let them do all their potty business (#1 and #2) before hopping in the car for the long ride.

When you arrive:

• Quickly inspect the yard for any poisonous mushrooms or plants, broken glass, critter droppings, or anything else that could be dangerous to ingest or step on.
• Provide water and a washroom break.
• Let them explore and get settled in. Try to follow your usual routine as much as possible when it comes to meal schedules, naps, and morning activities.
• My dog always gets a burst of excitement when we’re in a new place, so we always take a long stroll as soon as we can to explore the area and let him blow off that energy.

Packing List:

• Their favorite bed and/or blanket.
• Towels.
• Grooming supplies and doggy shampoo (in case of muddy emergencies).
• Food bowls.
• A few favorite toys.
• All meals + 1 extra meal per day. If you’re going on long hikes or walks, give your dog at least an extra half meal per day. Extra food is always a good idea to bring in case one gets spoiled, your dog throws up, etc.
• Dog tag or identification and latest rabies tag.
• Leash and collar/harness (I always bring a retractable leash and a classic long leash to attach to my dog’s harness).
• Lots of rawhide bones or chew sticks! For both the car ride and to keep them entertained when you want to relax.
• Treats and biscuits.
• A water bottle and portable water dish for long hikes.
• Poop bags.
• Optional: life jacket. Most dogs are natural swimmers, but it’s better to be safe than sorry if your pup doesn’t have much experience in the water.
• Optional: canine first aid kit. There are lots of places that sell dog first aid kits, but you can also DIY one with human supplies. Most canine first aid kits include: gauze rolls and pads, latex gloves, first aid tape, elastic bandages, tweezers, antiseptic, and saline solution.

Stay safe this cottage season! I love seeing pictures of your pets – send me pictures of them enjoying the summer on Instagram @mytraveleatinerary!