Travel Checklist For Dogs
The first time we took our dog on an international trip, we packed like we were preparing for a disaster. Duplicate everything. Emergency this. Backup that. We showed up at the airport with a bag that was essentially a mobile veterinary clinic.
We used about a third of it.
Three years and a lot of moves later, the list has been trimmed down to exactly what works. Not what the internet says to bring. What we actually reach for, trip after trip, across different climates, different flight lengths, and different types of accommodation from family rentals to campsites.
One thing I’ll say upfront: for anything longer than a weekend trip, we book pet-friendly rentals through VRBO. Having a private space with a garden or yard changes the dog travel experience entirely for him and for us. Hotel rooms with a dog are a different category of stressful.
Traveling with a pet isn’t harder than traveling with kids. It’s just different. And once you have the right system, it becomes just another part of the trip.
CATEGORY 1: HEALTH
1. Vaccination records — printed and digital copies, in the language of the destination country where possible. Border control has asked for these twice.
2. Vet health certificate — required for international flights, typically issued within 10 days of travel. Book this appointment before anything else.
↳ We get our health certificate and travel documentation supplies from PetCo; they carry travel-specific health kits and the staff actually know what international travel documentation requires.
3. Flea and tick prevention — applied 48 hours before departure. Some countries are stricter than others, check the destination requirements.
4. [ESSENTIAL] Prescription medications — enough for the full trip plus a buffer week. We carry these in the original pharmacy packaging with the label intact.
5. [ESSENTIAL] Pet first aid kit — basic wound care, antiseptic wipes, tweezers for ticks, saline solution. We built our own and it fits in a small pouch.
6. Calming supplements or anxiety medication — not every dog need this, ours does not, but if yours gets stressed in transit this is not something to wing. Chewy carries a good range of vet-recommended calming chews for travel.
CATEGORY 2: ID & DOCUMENTATION
7. Microchip ID number recorded somewhere offline — not just on your phone. Write it on paper. Put it with the vet records.
8. ID tag with local contact number — we swap the tag for one with a local number or our international SIM number on every trip. Takes two minutes. PetCo does custom engraved tags quickly, we usually order before departure.
9. Recent photo of your dog on your phone — in case the worst happens and you need to describe or show him to people. We have never needed this. We keep it anyway.
As an expat travelling for long term stay in another country, there are specific information you need to know. Today you are in luck, because we have put it all together in this article about relocating with dogs.
CATEGORY 3: FOOD & WATER
This category is where we have changed our approach the most over the years. Early on we packed enough food for the entire trip. Now we pack enough for three to four days and source the rest locally. European pet food options are usually excellent, and buying locally is cheaper and lighter.
10. Enough dry food for 3-4 days minimum — always the same brand he is used to, no transitions mid-trip. Stomach issues abroad with a dog are not something you want. We bulk order from Chewy before every trip — better prices, delivered to the door.
11. Collapsible travel bowls — one for water, one for food. These pack flat and weigh almost nothing. Chewy has a solid range — we use the silicone ones, they last forever.
12. Portable water bottle with attached bowl — for walks, airports, and anywhere you cannot guarantee a clean water source.
13. High-value treats — the ones he only gets when something unusual is happening. These are the nuclear option for stressful transit moments.
14. Waste bags, at least double what you think you need — every country has different rules about this. Some cities fine you. Just bring more.
CATEGORY 4: COMFORT & FAMILIARITY
Dogs are creatures of routine and smell. The more familiar their environment feels, the calmer they are. This category is about carrying just enough of home to take the edge off.
15. His own blanket or small bed — same one, every trip. It smells like home. We’ve tried leaving it behind to save space. It was not worth it.
16. Favorite toy — one, not five — not the squeaky one if you’re flying. Learn from us.
17. Leash and backup leash — one on the dog, one in the bag. We lost a leash in a Lisbon Park once and spent an afternoon improvising with a belt. Chewy for backups we keep a spare rolled up in the travel bag permanently.
18. Harness (in addition to collar) — better control in crowded airports, on public transport, and in places where a collar pull could be dangerous.
19. Airline-approved carrier or crate if flying cabin — check the airline’s specific dimensions before you buy one. They are not all the same. We learned this at a check-in desk. PetCo has a good selection of soft-sided carriers that meet most airline requirements. Here are some airline tips to be flight ready at all times flying with dogs.
CATEGORY 5: EMERGENCIES
This is the category I hope you never open. We have opened it twice. Having it organized and accessible made both situations significantly less stressful.
20. Name and number of a vet near your destination — look this up before you land, not after something goes wrong. Google Maps, TripAdvisor local guides, or expat Facebook groups for the destination.
21. Pet insurance documentation — if you have it. If you do not have it and you travel with your dog internationally, this is worth the conversation.
22. A small amount of local currency set aside specifically for emergency vet access — separate from your main travel money. We keep the equivalent of $100 in local cash labeled and set aside. It is the most comforting thing in the bag.
What We Buy at the Destination Instead
Shampoo, conditioner, poop bags in larger quantities, replacement toys, dog-safe bug spray. Almost every country has pet shops, and buying heavy or bulky items locally means less to carry and often better prices. In most of Europe and Southeast Asia, we have found pet food options that were as good or better than what we carried from home.
Before every trip, we do one big stock-up order through Chewy for the essentials and through PetCo for health items and gear. Whatever does not fit in the bag, we trust the destination to provide.
The Honest Version of This List
You will not use everything on this list on every trip. On a weekend road trip, half of this is overkill. On a two-week international move with a connecting flight and a foreign vet system, all 22 items earn their place.
Run through the categories before every trip and decide what applies to that specific journey. The health and ID categories are always full. The comfort category gets lighter as the trip gets shorter. The emergency section is always complete, always.
