Pet Travel Checklist: What to Pack and Plan for a Trip With Your Dog or Cat

A trip with your pet can be the best memory of the year — or a long day of stress for both of you. The difference is mostly planning. Use this checklist the week before you go.

Two to four weeks before

• ☐ Confirm your accommodation is pet-friendly and ask about fees, size limits and rules.
• ☐ Check entry rules if you’re crossing a border — vaccination records and health certificates can take time.
• ☐ Book a vet check if your pet is older, has health conditions or hasn’t traveled before.
• ☐ Update the microchip registration and ID tag with your mobile number.
• ☐ Find an emergency vet near your destination and save the number.
• ☐ Practice with the crate, carrier or car restraint at home.

Packing list

• ☐ Food (enough for the trip plus two days), treats and bowls
• ☐ Water and a collapsible bowl
• ☐ Medications and copies of records
• ☐ Leash, harness, spare collar with ID
• ☐ Bed or familiar blanket
• ☐ Favorite toy and a long-lasting chew
• ☐ Poop bags, litter and a travel litter box for cats
• ☐ Towels and wipes
• ☐ Pet first-aid kit
• ☐ A recent photo of your pet (in case they get lost)

In the car

• Use a crash-tested crate, carrier or harness restraint — never let pets ride loose or on a lap.
• Stop every two to three hours for water, a sniff and a toilet break.
• Never leave a pet alone in a parked car, even on a mild day.
• Keep heads inside the window while moving — the photo is best taken parked.

When you arrive

• Set up their bed and water first.
• Walk the area together so it smells familiar.
• Keep routines (meals, walks) as close to home as possible.

Remember the trip

Write down the destination, the dates, where you stayed, how you traveled, who came along and the favorite stop — the travel journal pages in Your Pet Memory are laid out exactly like that. Looking for ideas closer to home? See things to do with your dog this weekend.

Requirements for crossing borders change; always confirm with official government sources and your veterinarian before you travel.