Category: Dog Friendly Travel

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Packing for a road trip with two Labradors is basically packing for a small expedition. Just like one of our pawrents – who shall not be named, she feeds us and give us lovely cuddles so we can’t say too much – we simply cannot pack light!

But after years of adventures across Yorkshire, Scotland (Highlands & Lothian), Wales, Northumberland, the Cotswolds and most recently Normandy, we’ve refined our dog road trip essentials down to the items we genuinely never leave home without. The non-negotiables.

No waffle. No filter. Just the good stuff – tested on real adventures by two real Labradors who take road trips very seriously indeed.

Here’s what’s in our bag:

1. My Dog Boots: Ready for Every Adventure

Now furiends, I need to introduce you to my little brother Dexter’s nemesis – his own paws. On more adventures than I care to count, this enthusiastic whirlwind has hurled himself into everything, skidding around with the energy of a Scottish footballer whose entire World Cup campaign depends on his dog fence, and somehow managed to rip a paw pad on the beach, in the woods, or just about anywhere else. The drama. The limping. The pawrents panic. The cutting the adventure short.

So now we pack dog boots. Non-negotiable.

Two pair are highly recommended, because Dexter also has a talent for losing them mid-stride, and a dog without boots on a rocky beach is considerably less fun that a dog with boots on a rocky beach. Trust me on this.  

Our top pick MOKCCI Truelove Dog Boots – robust, grippy and mostly stay on. Mostly. One did go rouge during a particularly ambitious rock climbing expedition but we’re saying nothing.

And yes, Dexter’s are red. We call them his Lab-bouitins. And now seems to think he’s a model.

2. Why I Never Travel Without My First Aid Kit

For the very same reason – Dexter’s enthusiastic approach to self-destruction – we also never leave home without a doggy first aid kit. It’s brilliant for any minor medical needs on the road and can save a vet trip for small scraps and cuts. Most dogs dread the vet. I, however, am not most dogs.

I LOVE the visiting the vet. Especially seeing our vet – she is absolutely wooftastic and tells me I make her smile every time she sees our name in the appawment book. And furiends, that’s what life is about. Making the world smile.  One waggy tail at a time.

We use Charlie the Vet Pet First Aid Refill Kit to top up our kit — but if you’re starting from scratch the Full Kit is brilliant value and comes in a glow in the dark bag that clips to your lead

Here’s what’s inside the refill kit:

• 10 x iodine pads (antiseptic wipes for cleaning minor cuts and grazes)
• 6 x bandages (1 large 1 small bandages, conforming bandage and vet wrap)
• 2 x non-adhesive dressings (for covering small wounds)
• 2 x latex gloves (to protect you and your pet from infection)
• 1 x abdominal pad (for covering larger wounds and slowing bleeding)
• 1 x micropore tape (for securing bandages)
• 2 x saline pods (for flushing eyes and wounds)

Compact, comprehensive and genuinely worth having. Don’t leave home without one.

🐾 Paw-note – a first aid kit is for minor mishaps only. For anything serious always seek proper veterinary attention immediately.

3. Travel Bowls: Essential for Snack and Water Stops

Hydration on the road is essential – obvs!

We travel with two bowls to cover every occasion.

Our lightweight travel bowl is technically a silicone cake mould that granny gifted to the pawrents. It has seen considerably more action outdoors than it ever would have in the oven and we’re not sorry about that.

For hotel rooms and cottages we bring a proper sturdy bowl – because nobody wants a puddle of water on someone else’s carpet. Nobody.

Our pick for the forever bowl? The Sweet William Labrador China Dog Bowl – and furiends, the story behind these is lovely. Sweet William Designs is home of the Mischievous Mutts: British designed gifts and homewares inspired by founder Emma Wood’s beloved William, a black Labrador who was absolutely pawsome. We’ve had their tags, their bowls, their hand cream for the pawrent to smooth those dog walking hands. We’ve followed William for years on the gram.

I have a black Lab bowl, just like William. Dexter has a yellow one, because he thinks he’s golden in every sense. He’s not. He’s fox red. We only pack one on adventures – there is never enough room for two. Apart from us two dogs, obviously.

4. My Favourite Dog Bed for Road Trips, Hotel & Cottage Stays

If you’ve read our post on Normandy you’ll know we’re very keen on everything French – and our beds are no exception. Très chic.

We have two Le Chameau Vert Chameau dog beds, one large for Dexter and one extra large for me. Remember, I’m like a Shetland pony. Standards must be maintained.

Now, we’ll be honest – we did swap out the inner stuffing for some foam for extra comfort, which has made them even better. Here’s why we love them for travel:

• Super lightweight and flexible – they stuff in the car alongside all our other essentials (balls, treats, food, toys, poo bags, towels, the cool bag for our fresh snacks – you know just a few things!).
• One side water resistant 1000 denier fabric – ideal for wet and muddy dogs.
• Other side is soft and cosy – for when you’re feeling more refined.
• Covers unzip and can be machine washed – because we are not always clean.
• Non slip base – stays put even when Dexter does a dramatic flop onto it.

I snooze on mine anywhere and everywhere. No notes. Magnifique.🐾

5. WaterWipes: A Lifesaver After Muddy Walks

For any spills, drools or muddy paws emergencies – and furiends, there are always emergencies – WaterWipes are our got-to clean up solution.

Chemical free, so completely wag-friendly. And because they’re made with just water and a drop of fruit extract they’re gentle on furniture and furnishings too – perfect for cleaning up in the car, wiping down a hotel room surface or dealing with a rogue drool on a sheet. If we ever manage to get anywhere near the bedroom, that is.

WaterWipes – never leave home without them.

Tested and marketed for babies. Made for us dogs!

6. The Balls That Come on Every Adventure

No road trip is complete without balls. Obviously.

Our go-to? Webbox Colour Balls, and fellow four-legged ones, let me tell you why these are not just any ball.

• They float. Thrown into the river and distracted by something far mor interesting? No problem – they bob along waiting patiently rather than sinking to the riverbed never to be seen again. A game changer for water-obsessed Labradors everywhere.

• They squeak – at a frequency the hoomans can actually tolerate. Most of my squeaky toys are confiscated and locked down within ten minutes of sustained enthusiastic use. These have survived considerably longer. I’m saying nothing about why.

• They’re squeezable – satisfying for dogs like me who enjoy a good chew. I have destroyed many a tennis ball in my time. Not one of these. Impressive.

• They’re lightweight – pawfect for stuffing in the back pack on a walk without adding unnecessary weight alongside other essentials.

• And they look absolutely beautiful – bright, colourful, easy to find in a green field and prefect as a dog present. To yourself or a furiend. We don’t judge.

Five paws out of five 🐾⭐

7. Collar and Lead: The Road Trip Must-Haves

No self-respecting Labrador travels without the right collar. My go-to is RedDingo in red – obviously. It looks best with my complexion.

We pack two sets of leads – the longer leash for a relaxing countryside stroll and the shorter one for a prowl round town. The pawrents insist the shorter lead is for safety. We’re know it’s to stop us lick testing every food product within nose reach. And pack, there are SO many tempting smells. Can you tell I’m a Lab?

On the collar versus harness debate – some vets suggest neither is universally better and that the ideal choice depends entirely on your dog’s health, breed, and walking manners. Others recommend a harness for walks to protect the neck and airway, while using a flat collar exclusively for holding a ID tag, a UK legal requirement. We’re currently testing harnesses and will report back.

Whatever you choose, make sure your dog has an ID tag. Ours are from Sweet William Design – because our tags reflect our wit.

Dexter’s reads: Oh bugger I’m lost.

He would be too, if he wasn’t so quick at finding us again.

8. Why My Slow Feeder Always Makes the Packing List

Now. Slow feeders. Let me tell you about these.

I’ve heard the hoomans use these to keep us entertained – or quiet. Either way, fine by me. They fill them with treats and fellow Labradors, you know what us Labs love more than walkies. Treats. Always treats.

In dog behaviour speak they call this enrichment. And before you glaze over – this actually matters. The core pillars of dog enrichments are:

• Nutritional / Foraging: using puzzle toys, lick mats, or scatter feeding to stimulate a dog’s instinct to work for their food.

• Sensory: Engaging the five senses, primarily smell (my personality speciality).

• Cognitive: Training exercises, puzzle solving, and teaching tricks that make a dog’s brain work.

• Physical: Activities that allow dogs to safely express natural physical urges like digging, shredding, or chasing.

• Social: Positive interactions and play with humans or other compatible dogs.

It stops us smart dogs from becoming bored, frustrated, and anxious. Yes, I’m putting myself out there. You’ve got to be your own cheerleader in this world. When we get bored, things happen. Things like taking up gardening (digging the garden), singing (excessive barking) and building works (destructive chewing). Nobody wants that.

Our pick: Outward Hound Snoop – the best bouncing food ball around. Fill it with treats and leave us to it whilst you unpack – because unpacking takes forever and we have questions about what’s in every bag.

These essentials have come with us across Scotland, Wales, Northumberland and even Normandy – and they’ve never let us down

🐾  Paw-note: For more vet-backed advice on enrichment check out the Dogs Trust Enrichment Guide or the RSPCA Knowledgebase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most important dog road trip essentials?

From my very important Labrador point of view, the non-negotiables are simple: a safe way to travel, enough food and water for the journey, somewhere comfy to rest, and a few familiar bits like toys and blankets so everything feels a bit like home, even when we’re miles away.

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Do dogs need a seat belt or restraint in the car in the UK?

Yes – dogs should always be safely contained or restrained in the car so everyone stays safe and the humans can focus on driving.

In my case, I travel in the boot space behind a secure dog guard (or grill, as the hoomans call it), which keeps me safely separated from the front of the car while still giving me plenty of space to stretch out and supervise the journey.

There are a few different ways dogs can travel safely in the UK, including harnesses, crates, and dog guards, but this is the setup that works for us on all our adventures.

More on that coming soon in my guide to Volvo boot liners, dog grills, and keeping the car adventure-ready.

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How often should dogs stop on a long road trip?

I personally think every 2–3 hours is the perfect excuse for a sniff, stretch, drink, and a proper leg break. It also gives me time to inspect new smells and make sure we’re still on the right adventure.

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What should I pack for a dog-friendly overnight stay?

I always insist on bringing my bed, my food, my bowls, my lead, and a towel (because apparently I’m not allowed to shake off mud indoors). A few familiar things make new places feel a lot less suspicious, especially for Dexter.

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Are dog boots necessary for road trips?

Not always, but they do come in handy when Dexter is exploring hot ground, rocky paths, or particularly rough woodland terrain.

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Do your hoomans fight over who’s cleaning the car after a dog trip? This next post is for you.

Coming soon – Dylan’s guide to Volvo boot liners, dog grills and keeping the car in a state the hoomans can live with. Mostly.  

Happy adventuring,

Dylan 🐾

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