There’s nothing better than hitting the road with your four-legged companion. Whether you’re heading to the coast for a long weekend, exploring the countryside, or checking into a dog-friendly Airbnb, a little preparation goes a long way. Below, the team at HugglePets reveals everything you need to know to make it a trip both of you will love.
Before you even think about packing the bags, get your car organised. A dog that’s free to roam around the back seat is a distraction – and potentially dangerous. A well-ventilated travel crate is the safest option, and it’s worth getting your dog comfortable with it at home before a long journey.
The HugglePets Fabric Crate Pet Carrier is a great shout here. It’s made from waterproof fabric with steel tubing so it holds its shape in the boot, and the mesh panels mean plenty of airflow – no overheated dog on the motorway. It even comes with a sheepskin mat, so your dog will be a lot more comfortable than they would be sliding around on a bare boot liner.
If your dog doesn’t take to a crate, a seatbelt attachment is a solid alternative. The HugglePets Dog Travel Seat Belt clips directly into your dog’s harness and loops around the headrest – it’s adjustable, universal fit, and fully complies with Highway Code Rule 57. It even comes with a lifetime guarantee, which tells you something about how they’re made.
Dogs need regular breaks – roughly every two hours is a good rule of thumb. Plan your route around service stations or lay-bys with a bit of grass, and always keep water and a bowl in the car. A dog that’s been cooped up for four hours will make the first five minutes at your destination very chaotic.
Keep a separate bag just for your dog’s essentials: food, bowl, lead, poo bags, towel. It sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people arrive at a holiday cottage having left the dog food on the kitchen counter.
And on the subject of poo bags, don’t rely on whatever’s been loose at the bottom of your coat pocket since February. HugglePets Pick It Up Lavender Poop Bags come in a pack of 315, they’re fully leak-proof (every single bag is scanned for holes during production), and they’re lavender scented – a small detail, but a very welcome one on beach walks and coastal paths. They’re also made from 65% post-consumer recycled plastic, which matters when you’re trying to leave the places you visit in better shape than you found them.
Pick It Up Lavender Dog Poop Bags
Not all dog-friendly Airbnbs are created equal. Some will welcome your dog with open arms; others have rules about furniture, specific rooms they can use, or whether they can be left alone in the property. Read the listing properly and message the host if anything’s unclear. There’s nothing worse than arriving somewhere to find your dog isn’t allowed in the bedroom when they’ve never once slept on the floor in their life.
A new place can be unsettling for dogs – different smells, different sounds, an unfamiliar bed. Bring their usual blanket or bed if you can. If you’re using a travel crate at the Airbnb, the familiar sheepskin mat they had in the car already helps a lot. The more it smells like home, the quicker they’ll settle.
If you’re heading to the coast – and with a dog, you really should – check the beach’s dog restrictions first. Many UK beaches limit dog access during summer months, typically between 10am and 6pm on the main stretches. Going early morning or in the evening sidesteps all of that, and honestly your dog will have a far better time bombing around empty sand than weaving through deckchairs and sandcastles.
Salt water, wet sand, and a dog who’s just discovered waves – your dog’s collar takes a serious beating on a beach trip. A standard fabric collar that gets soaked and stays damp for days isn’t ideal. The HugglePets All Weather Snappy Collar & Lead Set is salt water tested and made from biothane, which just wipes clean – no more soggy, sand-caked collar that takes two days to dry out. It’s also got a padded handle on the lead, which you’ll be grateful for the moment your dog spots a seagull and decides to go full sprint mode.
Bring your own dog towels so you’re not using the host’s bathroom towels to dry off a dripping spaniel. Wipe paws before coming inside, keep your dog’s sleeping area contained, and do a sweep of the garden before you leave. Most hosts who accept dogs have had at least one bad experience with guests who didn’t bother. Be the ones they leave a glowing review for.
All Weather Snappy Dog Collar & Lead Set
It’s tempting to go all in straight away – the long hike, the beach, the pub lunch – but dogs tire more than we realise, especially in the heat. An overtired dog is a difficult dog. Ease into the trip, let them sniff around at their own pace, and save the bigger adventures for once they’ve settled.
Travelling with your dog is one of the best things you can do. They’re up for every adventure, endlessly enthusiastic, and they make you slow down and actually experience places rather than just rushing through them. A bit of planning, the right kit, and you’ll wonder why you ever went anywhere without them.