Travelling with Your Dog This Summer? Here Is the Wellness Checklist We Swear By

Summer is here, and for many of us that means one thing: holiday mode.

Whether you're heading to the beach for the day, escaping to the mountains for a weekend, taking a road trip or travelling abroad, more and more of us are choosing to bring our dogs along for the adventure.

And honestly? We love that.

Because your dog doesn't need to be left behind while you make summer memories. With a little planning, they can enjoy the adventure just as much as you do.

From keeping them comfortable in the heat to helping them settle into a new environment, here's our summer dog travel checklist for keeping your four-legged best friend happy, comfortable and well wherever you're heading.

Because it's their summer holiday too.

Heading to the beach for the day?

A beach day with your dog sounds pretty perfect. But before you grab the towels and head for the coast, there are a few essentials worth packing.

Don't forget:

• Fresh water. Salt water isn't a substitute for drinking water, so take plenty of fresh water with you and offer it regularly throughout the day.
• Shade. Dogs can overheat surprisingly quickly, particularly during the hottest hours. A shady spot or beach umbrella gives them somewhere to escape the sun when they've had enough.
• A towel. For wet paws, sandy fur and the inevitable full-body shake immediately after you've dried them.
• Paw protection. Sand and pavement can become extremely hot in summer. If the ground feels too hot for your hand, it's too hot for your dog's paws.
• A cooling option. A cooling mat, damp towel or somewhere cool to lie can make a huge difference on particularly warm days.

And perhaps most importantly, don't let the excitement of the beach stop you from taking regular breaks.

Dogs don't always know when they've had enough.

Going away for the weekend?

Weekend trips are where a little preparation can make everything easier.

Whether you're staying in a dog-friendly cottage, visiting friends or exploring somewhere completely new, try to keep a few elements of your dog's normal routine the same.

Pack their usual food, bring their favourite blanket or bed and don't forget something familiar that smells like home.

Your weekend-away essentials:

• Their usual food and treats
• Food and water bowls
• Lead, harness and ID tag
• Poop bags
• Bed or favourite blanket
• A familiar toy
• Towels
• Fresh drinking water
• Any medication they need
• Their usual wellness routine

That last one can be particularly helpful when your dog is dealing with a change in environment.

Keep their tummy happy

Travel, excitement, changes in routine and unfamiliar foods can sometimes leave dogs with unsettled stomachs.

Biome Balance is one of the products we like to keep in our own summer travel kit, designed to support your dog's gut microbiome and digestive wellness.

Especially when you're away from home, keeping things as familiar as possible can help.

True Calm: for dogs who find travel a little… a lot

Not every dog thinks a car journey is an exciting start to their holiday.

For some, the journey itself can be the hardest part.

Cars, trains, ferries, airports and unfamiliar surroundings can all be overwhelming for dogs who prefer their usual routine.

If your dog tends to become unsettled when travelling, True Calm can be incorporated into their normal wellness routine to support calm and emotional wellbeing.

But supplements aren't the whole answer.

The little things matter too.

Take regular breaks on longer journeys. Bring something familiar from home. Keep your voice calm. Give them time to adjust when you arrive.

And if they're travelling somewhere completely new, remember that they don't have to experience everything at once.

Sometimes a quiet afternoon at the accommodation is exactly what they need.

Travelling in hot weather? Think beyond the destination

Summer travel isn't just about where you're going — it's about how you're getting there.

Try to travel during cooler parts of the day where possible and build plenty of breaks into longer car journeys.

Never leave your dog alone in a parked car, even for a short period. Temperatures can rise dangerously quickly.

Once you're there, look for signs that your dog is becoming too hot and give them plenty of opportunities to rest, drink and cool down.

And remember: holiday doesn't have to mean non-stop activity.

A dog who has spent the morning swimming, exploring or walking in the heat may be perfectly happy spending the afternoon snoozing somewhere shady.

Hydration is a holiday essential

We all know we need to drink more water when it's hot, but it's easy to forget that our dogs need extra consideration too.

Always make sure fresh water is available, particularly after exercise and during travel.

If you're heading somewhere for the day, take more water than you think you'll need.

And if you're going away for several days, consider how you'll keep water available during journeys, walks and days out.

For dogs who enjoy being active, Pure Collagen is another simple addition to their everyday wellness routine and a great all-rounder to take along on summer adventures.

Because keeping them feeling their best isn't just about the big things — it's the little everyday choices too.

Travelling abroad with your dog?

If you're taking your dog across borders this summer, there's a little more preparation involved.

Make sure you check the latest requirements for your destination and your return journey well in advance, as documentation and health requirements can vary depending on where you're travelling and how you're getting there.

Depending on your trip, you may need to organise things such as:

• Microchip details
• Vaccinations
• Travel documentation
• Health certificates
• Parasite treatments
• An approved carrier or travel crate
• Airline, ferry or transport requirements

Your vet can also advise you on anything your individual dog may need before a long journey.

Create a dog travel bag

One of our favourite travel hacks is to keep everything your dog needs in one easy-to-reach bag.

For the journey: water, bowl, treats, lead, poop bags and wipes.

For comfort: their blanket, toy and towel.

For wellness: their normal routine, including anything you use to support their digestive, emotional or everyday wellbeing.

That way, you aren't digging through three suitcases when your dog decides they urgently need their favourite toy.

One more thing: watch the holiday treats

Holiday mode has a way of turning everyone into a little food thief.

A bite from your plate here. Someone else's leftovers there. A new treat they've never tried before…

And suddenly your dog has eaten half the picnic.

As tempting as it is, try to keep their diet as consistent as possible while you're away.

Sudden changes, rich foods and unfamiliar treats can all contribute to digestive upset — and nobody wants to spend their holiday dealing with a poorly tummy.

If you're introducing anything new, take it slowly.

The Frankie & Paws summer travel essentials

You don't need to pack your entire house for your dog.

We believe wellness should be simple, practical and easy to fit into real life — especially when you're travelling.

For summer adventures, our three everyday essentials can easily become part of your dog's normal routine:

• Biome Balance — for gut and digestive wellness, particularly useful when travel and changes in routine can affect your dog's tummy.
• True Calm — for supporting calm and emotional wellbeing during journeys, new environments and exciting adventures.
• Pure Collagen — an everyday wellness all-rounder to help support your dog as they make the most of their summer.

Because it's their summer holiday too

We spend so much time planning our own summer holidays.

The outfits. The itinerary. The restaurants. The hotel. The sunscreen. The packing.

So why shouldn't our dogs get the same level of preparation?

They might not care whether you've booked a five-star hotel or found the perfect little beach.

They care that they're with you.

They care about feeling safe, comfortable and well.

And they care about having fun.

So whether your summer adventure is a two-hour beach trip, a weekend in the countryside or an international holiday, take a little time to prepare for their needs too.

Pack the water. Bring the favourite toy. Plan the breaks. Protect them from the heat. Keep their routine familiar. And don't forget their wellness essentials.

Because it's their summer holiday too — and they deserve it.

Your quick summer dog travel checklist

• Fresh water + travel bowl
• Usual food + treats
• Lead, harness + ID
• Poo bags
• Bed/blanket + favourite toy
• Towels
• Cooling essentials
• Any medication
• Travel documents, if needed
• Biome Balance
• True Calm
• Pure Collagen

Now you're ready. Where are you taking your best friend this summer?