There’s a particular kind of chaos that happens the night before a dog-friendly holiday. You’ve packed your own bag in ten minutes flat, and then you turn to your dog’s stuff and realise you have no idea where to start. Their bed’s in the wash. You can’t find the poo bags. Does the harness still fit?

We’ve been there. Here’s what actually earns its place in the car boot for a trip to Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, or Dorset.

Before You Pack

• Vaccinations and flea/worming treatment up to date
• Microchip details correct (people forget this one more than you’d think)
• Nearest vet to your accommodation looked up in advance — you probably won’t need it, but you’ll be glad you checked at home instead of in a car park

Food and Water

• Enough food for the whole trip, plus a few days extra — new places already unsettle some dogs’ stomachs, so a sudden change of food on top is asking for trouble
• Collapsible bowls — take up almost no space and are easy to rinse out on the go
• A bottle of water from home, if your dog’s fussy about unfamiliar tap water

Somewhere Familiar to Sleep

• Their own bed, if it’ll fit in the car
• A blanket that smells like home, if it won’t — dogs settle faster in new places when something smells familiar
• A favourite toy, for the same reason

 

Walking Kit

• Lead and harness, plus a spare of whichever one’s more likely to fail
• Poo bags — always more than feels necessary
• A long line if you’re heading somewhere open where a bit of extra freedom makes sense
• A towel (or two) for the inevitable muddy paws
• Tick repellent, non-negotiable if you’re walking on Dartmoor, Exmoor, or the Quantocks — bracken and long grass mean ticks are common from spring through autumn

Just in Case

• A small first aid kit — tick remover, antiseptic wipes, any regular medication
• Their vaccination record, in case your accommodation or an activity asks for it
• A working ID tag — a legal requirement in the UK regardless of microchipping, and the cheapest peace of mind you’ll buy all trip

 

If You’re Near Water

The South West’s coastline is one of the biggest draws for dog owners, but it’s worth packing with the coast in mind:

• A dedicated towel for drying off after a swim
• Fresh water and a bowl for the beach, since not every stretch has a tap nearby
• A life jacket, if your dog’s a keen swimmer and you’re near open water or a strong tide

Two local things worth checking before you go: many Devon and Cornwall beaches have seasonal dog restrictions (often May to September, on certain stretches only), and tides here can come in faster than people expect. A quick check of local tide times before a beach walk is a habit worth getting into.

Worth Bringing, Not Essential

• A drying coat, for the days the coastal weather turns without warning (it will)
• A travel mat for water bowls, so you’re not mopping up puddles
• A calming spray, if your dog gets anxious somewhere new
• A recent photo on your phone — hopefully you’ll never need it, but it’s one of those things you only regret not having

 

One Last Thing

If your dog isn’t used to long car journeys or unfamiliar places, a short trial run beforehand goes a long way. It’s a lot easier to notice you’re missing something on a two-hour test drive than three hours into the real thing.

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Looking for somewhere that actually means it when it says pet-friendly? Have a browse of our dog-friendly businesses across the South West — every one on the list has been checked with dogs in mind, not just tolerated.