What to Pack and When to Leave Pets Behind

Packing for your pet is just as important as packing for yourself. Forgetting essential items can mean an emergency vet visit, a hungry pet, or a stressful search for supplies in an unfamiliar town.

Essentials for every trip:

• Food: Bring enough of your pet’s regular food for the entire trip plus two extra days. Changing food suddenly can cause digestive upset.
• Water: Carry water from home for the first day at least, and a portable water bowl.
• Medications: Any prescribed medications plus a copy of the prescription. Bring more than you need in case the trip is extended.
• Collar, lead, and ID tag: Ensure the tag has your mobile number, not just your home phone.
• Microchip details: Know your pet’s microchip number and ensure your contact details are up to date on the registry.
• Vaccination records: A copy of your pet’s vaccination certificate. Some boarding facilities and parks require proof of vaccination.
• Crate or carrier: Their regular crate with familiar bedding.
• Waste bags: Plenty of poo bags for dogs.
• First aid kit: Basic pet first aid supplies (bandages, tweezers for ticks, antiseptic, saline solution).
• Familiar comfort items: A favourite toy, blanket, or worn item of your clothing.

Sometimes the kindest thing you can do for your pet is leave them at home. Travel is genuinely stressful for many animals, and not every trip is appropriate for every pet.

Consider leaving your pet behind if:

• Your pet has severe travel anxiety that has not responded to desensitisation or medication
• Your pet is elderly, unwell, or recovering from surgery
• The destination is not genuinely pet-friendly (e.g., a city trip with all-day sightseeing and no outdoor access)
• The travel duration is very long relative to the stay (e.g., 10 hours of driving for a 2-night stay)
• You are visiting someone whose home is not set up for pets, or who has pets that may conflict with yours
• You are travelling internationally (quarantine periods and costs can be extreme)

Excellent alternatives to bringing your pet:

• Professional pet sitters who stay in your home (your pet stays in their familiar environment — often the lowest-stress option)
• Trusted friends or family who know your pet
• Reputable boarding facilities (visit in person before booking)
• In-home boarding (your pet stays in the sitter’s home in a family environment)