Dog Holiday Tips

Written by

Serena Faber-Nelson Updated 7 July 2026 · 10 Min Read

Pet lifestyle expert Serena Faber-Nelson is the founder of Pretty Fluffy. A contributor to Everyday with Rachael Ray, Modern Dog Magazine, Cesars Way and more; her modern, stylized take on DIY dog treats has seen her recipes viewed millions of times over. Serena is the author of the go-to dog mom bible, Dog Mama, and the popular dog treat recipe book, Healthy Homemade Dog Treats.

For successful holiday dog travel, secure your dog safely in the car, plan kennel or crate time in advance, set clear boundaries around holiday food, prepare for local weather conditions, and give your dog proper downtime. Dogs on holidays thrive when they have a familiar routine anchored in an unfamiliar environment.

Note from the Editors: Today we're sharing 8 tips to making travelling with your pet this holiday season easy, safe and fun, with our guest poster Katie from the Small Change Project! Here, Katie shares her experience of travelling with her pup Watson, and the handy tips she picked up along the way.

Taking your dog on holidays with you is one of the great joys of life with a dog. But holiday dog travel comes with its own set of challenges that everyday life doesn't throw at you: crowded family gatherings, unfamiliar houses, tempting food everywhere, new weather, and routines thrown completely out the window.

We learned this the hard way with Watson, our very well-travelled pup. Our first Christmas together was a steep learning curve. New climates, a house full of in-laws, dog cousins, excited kids, and a table full of food he had absolutely no business eating. After that first holiday season we came back with a much better plan.

Here are the dog holiday tips that have made every trip since genuinely enjoyable, for Watson and for us.

1. Make the Car Ride Safe and Comfortable

Holiday dog travel usually starts with a car trip, and this is where a lot of dog owners skip the safety step. Watson used to ride loose in the back seat on a blanket, until the day we had to brake hard and he went sliding. That was the last time we drove without proper setup.

A car seat hammock changed everything. It clips to the front and back headrests, creating a contained space where your dog can settle, sleep, and stay safe during sudden stops. On our 20-hour Christmas road trip, it also meant snow-covered paws after rest stops weren't tracked all over the seats.

What to set up before a holiday road trip:

• Car hammock or seat cover: Creates a secure, contained space and protects upholstery from muddy paws and hair
• Harness and seat belt clip: The safest way to restrain a dog in a moving vehicle alongside a hammock
• Familiar blanket: Something from home that smells like their space. Enormous for settling anxious dogs in the car
• Travel water bottle and bowl: Stop every 1 to 2 hours for water, especially on longer holiday drives

Tip: Lay a long towel over the seat belt buckles to create a flat surface and stop the hardware from digging into your dog's back.

2. Plan Crate or Kennel Time Before You Arrive

If you're vacationing with a pet at someone else's home or a holiday rental, you need a plan for when your dog needs a break from the chaos. Holiday gatherings can be genuinely overwhelming for dogs: loud rooms, small children, unfamiliar people, and non-stop activity.

The key is to make the crate or portable tent a safe haven, not a punishment. Watson has a portable dog tent that he loves so much that he voluntarily retreats to it. The trick is introducing it early and keeping the vibe around it calm and positive.

Smart times to use the crate during holiday dog travel:

• During big mealtimes when food is everywhere and guests may not respect your boundaries
• When young children are around who might accidentally frighten or rough-handle your dog
• When your dog shows signs of overwhelm: yawning, lip licking, trying to hide, or restlessness
• During any activity that's genuinely too risky, like Christmas cracker pulls or fireworks

Set it up in a quiet room before guests arrive, and don't make a fuss when it's time to use it. A calm, matter-of-fact approach from you keeps your dog calm too.

3. Protect Your Dog from Holiday Food Hazards

This is one of the most important dog holiday tips and one of the easiest to underestimate. Dogs on holidays are surrounded by people food, and not just what's on the table. It's the gravy on the bench, the chocolate in the wrapping, the fruit cake on the sideboard, and the well-meaning uncle slipping them scraps.

Those bites add up fast. What starts as a festive treat for your dog can quickly become a sick dog, an anxious owner, and a ruined holiday for everyone.

Foods that are toxic to dogs and commonly present at holiday gatherings:

• Chocolate: In any form, including hot cocoa and desserts. Even small amounts can cause vomiting, seizures, and worse in small dogs
• Onions, garlic, and leeks: Found in stuffing, gravies, and roasts. Toxic in all forms, including cooked
• Grapes and raisins: Including fruit cake and mince pies. Can cause kidney failure in dogs
• Macadamia nuts: Toxic to dogs even in small quantities
• Xylitol: A sweetener found in some peanut butters, chewing gum, and sugar-free treats. Extremely dangerous
• Cooked bones: Turkey and chicken bones splinter easily and can cause internal injuries

Be direct with guests before they arrive: your dog does not eat people food at the table. Offer a great alternative instead, a new chew toy or special dog treat that keeps them happily occupied away from the action during mealtimes.

4. Prepare for Local Conditions

Holiday dog travel often means different weather, different terrain, and different environments than your dog encounters at home. Dogs on holidays need their owners to think ahead about what they'll be walking in, playing in, and exposed to.

On one of our trips, we left in a blizzard and arrived somewhere warm and snowless. The next year brought the opposite. Checking the conditions at your destination and packing accordingly takes ten minutes and saves a lot of trouble.

Common holiday conditions to prepare for:

• Cold and snow: Dogs with thin coats, short legs, or older joints may need a weather jacket. Paw booties protect against ice, rock salt, and frozen terrain that can crack pads
• Heat: Never leave your dog in a parked car, even briefly. Pack a cooling mat or bandana and ensure your dog has access to shade and water at all times
• Unfamiliar outdoor environments: New plants, insects, and wildlife can pose risks. Know what's local before letting your dog roam off-leash
• Fireworks and loud celebrations: New Year's Eve and certain national holidays bring noise that terrifies many dogs. Have a plan: a safe indoor space, familiar blankets, and speak to your vet about calming options before the trip if your dog struggles with noise

Also look up the nearest emergency vet to wherever you're staying before you need one. Saving the number in your phone takes thirty seconds and gives you peace of mind for the entire trip.

5. Keep Some Routine, Even on Holiday

Dogs on holidays are adaptable, but they do best when something familiar anchors their day. Complete routine chaos is the most common reason dogs become anxious, unsettled, or difficult during holiday travel.

You don't need to replicate your whole schedule exactly. But feeding at the same times, walking at roughly the usual hours, and having a consistent sleep spot makes a meaningful difference to how your dog handles everything else that's new and unpredictable around them.

Simple routines to maintain during holiday dog travel:

• Same meal times and the same food (holiday trips are not the moment to introduce new food)
• A daily walk, even a short one, gives your dog an outlet for energy and helps them sleep
• Their own bed or sleep surface from home, placed in the same relative spot in each new room
• Their usual bedtime cues if you have them: a specific phrase, a treat, a wind-down routine

6. Brief Your Hosts Before You Arrive

One of the most overlooked dog holiday tips is the conversation you have before the trip. If you're vacationing with a pet at someone else's home, a quick conversation ahead of time prevents awkward moments and keeps your dog safe.

Things worth discussing with your hosts:

• Where your dog will sleep and whether they're allowed on furniture
• Which rooms are off-limits, so you can enforce this consistently from day one
• That guests should not feed your dog from the table
• Any hazards in the house or garden that might need to be moved or secured
• Whether their own pets are dog-friendly and how introductions will be handled

A relaxed host makes for a relaxed dog. Most people genuinely want your holiday to go well for your dog too; they just need to know the rules.

7. Watch for Signs Your Dog is Struggling

Dogs don't always show stress obviously. Knowing the signs that your dog on holiday is overwhelmed means you can step in before things escalate.

Stress signals to watch for:

• Yawning, lip licking, or nose licking in contexts where they are not tired or eating
• Panting without having exercised or being in heat
• Trying to hide under furniture or behind people
• Excessive barking or whining at things that wouldn't normally bother them
• Loss of appetite or refusal to eat
• Toilet accidents indoors in a house-trained dog

If you notice several of these signs together, give your dog a break in a quiet space. A short reset away from the noise and stimulation is usually all it takes to help them recalibrate.

8. Enjoy the Holiday with Your Dog

After all that preparation, the most important dog holiday tip is simply to be present and enjoy it. Vacationing with a pet adds a genuinely different texture to a holiday. You walk more, you get outside more, and you have an excuse to explore the kind of local spots that tourists often skip.

Go for long walks. Let them sniff everything. Take photos. Share the downtime.

Our holidays with Watson have become some of our favorite memories precisely because he was part of them.

FAQ

What do dogs need on holiday?

Dogs on holidays need their regular food and water, a familiar sleep surface, their leash and harness, ID tags and up-to-date microchip details, waste bags, and any medications.

For car travel add a seat restraint or carrier. A comfort item from home, like a blanket or toy, helps them settle in new environments.

Is it okay to take your dog on holiday?

Yes, most dogs adapt well to holiday travel when their owners prepare properly.

The key factors are safe car travel, maintaining some routine, managing food hazards, and giving your dog space to decompress when they need it.

Dogs who travel regularly from a young age generally handle it better, but older dogs can adapt too with patience.

How do I keep my dog calm during holiday gatherings?

Set up a quiet space with their crate or bed before guests arrive. Use it proactively during busy moments like mealtimes or when children are present rather than waiting until your dog is already stressed.

Give them something to do: a chew, a Kong, or a new toy keeps them occupied and calm when the room is loud.

What holiday foods are dangerous for dogs?

The most common holiday food hazards for dogs are chocolate, onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, xylitol (found in some peanut butters and sugar-free foods), and cooked bones.

Many traditional holiday dishes contain one or more of these ingredients. A firm rule of no table scraps is the simplest way to keep your dog safe.

Should I bring my dog's crate on holiday?

If your dog is crate trained, bringing their crate or a portable travel tent on holiday is one of the best things you can do. It gives them a familiar, safe space in an unfamiliar environment and is invaluable during busy, overwhelming moments.

Dogs who associate their crate with safety will often retreat to it voluntarily when they need a break.

Final Thoughts

Holiday dog travel takes a little more planning than a trip without your pup, but the payoff is worth it. A dog who feels safe, fed, rested, and part of the family makes for a richer holiday for everyone.

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