There's a moment before every holiday when you're convinced you've remembered everything.
Suitcases? ✔️
Passports? ✔️
Dog? ✔️ (Hopefully.)
Then, somewhere between arriving at your destination and watching your dog roll enthusiastically in something suspicious, you realise you've forgotten the one thing you actually needed.
To save you from rummaging around a tiny village shop looking for dog shampoo (or explaining to your hotel why your Labrador smells like seaweed), here's our Filthy Animal checklist.
1. A Towel Just for Your Dog
Your hotel towels don't count.
Neither does your favourite white bath towel.
A dedicated dog towel will save muddy paw prints, sandy coats and a lot of apologising.
2. Water Bowl
Dogs can get dehydrated surprisingly quickly in warm weather.
A collapsible travel bowl takes up hardly any space and is one of those items you'll never regret bringing.
3. Favourite Toy
A familiar toy helps dogs settle into new surroundings and can reduce anxiety after a long journey.
Bonus points if it floats.
4. First Aid Kit
Include:
- Tick remover
- Bandages
- Saline solution
- Tweezers
- Emergency vet contact details
Hopefully you won't need it—but you'll be glad you packed it.
5. Cooling Essentials
Hot pavements and summer sunshine can quickly become dangerous.
Pack plenty of fresh water, find shaded spots and remember that if the ground feels hot to your hand, it's too hot for your dog's paws.
6. Grooming Products
Salt water, sand, pollen and mud all love hitching a lift home in your dog's coat.
A gentle prebiotic grooming routine helps keep skin happy while removing all the evidence of a very successful holiday.
7. Vaccination & Microchip Details
Store digital copies on your phone.
It's one of those things you rarely need—until you really need it.
8. Extra Leads & Poo Bags
You will almost certainly use more poo bags than you expected.
Trust us on this one.
9. Treats
Travelling can be exciting, tiring and a little stressful.
Having your dog's favourite treats to hand makes training, settling in and rewarding good behaviour much easier.
And yes… they know exactly where you've hidden them.
10. Your Sense of Humour
Because holidays with dogs rarely go exactly to plan.
There will be wet paws.
Unexpected zoomies.
Questionable smells.
Sand in places you didn't know sand could reach.
And memories you'll laugh about for years.
After all, those wonderfully chaotic moments are what being part of the Filthy Animal family is all about.
Before You Go...
If you'd rather not rely on memory, we've done the hard work for you.
The Filthy Files™ – Issue 01: Summer Holiday Survival Guide is packed with:
🐾 Printable packing checklists
🏖️ Beach safety advice
🚗 Travel tips
😂 House of Filthy Animal humour
📱 Instant PDF download for just £4.99.
Download your copy today and enjoy a stress-free holiday with your favourite Filthy Animal.
