Getting to and from your holiday destination can be stressful at the best of times, but adding in the needs of your dog can be extra tricky. Planning ahead is essential. Ensure you've given yourself plenty of  time and know where to stop to allow your dog out for a break or plan a walk in the middle of the journey to break up the traveling time. Also, being familiar with dog-friendly restaurants on the route is a good and handy idea. The more planning, the more enjoyable and relaxing, it'll be for everyone.

Medication and emergencies: Ensure all flea, wormer and tick treatment is up-to-date before heading off. Your dog may need help with extra exposure to the sun, and paws are vulnerable to cracking and irritation from sand and salt water.

Our nose & face wrinkle balm offers protection against the sun and our paw balm will protect against sores, seasonal allergies and offer deep moisturising after a long day out having fun. Don't forget the paw balm comes in a handy push-up tube making it easy to apply and mess free.

A well stocked First Aid Kit is essential; you never know when they might cut a paw, slip, split a nose or get something in their eye. You can purchase kits from most vet practices or order online.

Familiarise yourself with local vets including address, phone number and emergency after hour phone numbers. You don't want to be caught out in an emergency

Food: Dogs don't do well with changes in their diets so it's a good idea to take a supply of your dog's usual food with you. Raw food can be tricky if you're camping with no freezer, so plan ahead to find a local stockist or arrange for use of the hotel or campsite's freezer. Alternatively, you can buy plug-in freezer boxes, which along with freezer blocks, will help keep meat cold if you're only away for a couple of days. Don't forget about bowls; collapsible bowls are a handy space-saver.

Safety: It is never safe or advised to leave your dog tied up outside or in a car. This can be difficult to manage for people travelling alone. For example shower blocks on campsites generally have a ‘no dogs allowed’ rule. So an anti-theft harness and lead from Safely Secured could give you peace of mind when other solutions fail. The material is comfortable, and it has anti-cut reinforcement and the fastenings are only openable with a unique code. As dog theft is on the up this year, this will be a very handy backup and deterrent to thieves who depend on speed to get away.

Grooming: You never know when a quick groom is needed. Sand, saltwater, and grass seed can be the cause for a quick brush to help reduce possible skin irritation. Using our grooming spray will help loosen off any dirt/sand/salt and make it easy to brush and remove any trapped sand, especially for those pets with long or double coats. Our grooming sprays smell amazing and travel-size bottles are now available.

If your stinky beastie happens to have sniffed out that very stinky fox poo, bathed in saltwater, or had a proper mud bath, a rinse with fresh water is advisable to help keep their coats and skin in good condition. A mud buddy is a great tool to have with you for rinsing off or for a full wash. Our shampoo bars make quick work of dirt, including fox poo, and you don't have to worry about any spillages.

Dog towels: You definitely can't have too many dog towels! For protection from wet dog shakes, try a dog robe. These can also double up as comforters for dogs frightened by thunderstorms or other scary noises. Just keep a close eye on your dog while they have these on in case they overheat.

Home comforts: Bed, toys and treats from home all help a dog to settle in a different environment and establish boundaries in your holiday accommodation.

Heat: Keeping them cool while camping or traveling in the car can be difficult. Cooling bandanas or coats can be very useful. Along with cooling mats for them to lie on and a rechargeable fan to help air circulate. Ensure you always provide them with fresh, cool water and keep them out of the sun when it's at its hottest. Heat stroke is a serious health concern for dogs and can prove fatal if not treated immediately.

Please know the signs of heat-related illnesses, if your dog is more susceptible based on breed and activity level, and how to treat it should your dog start to display any symptoms. Remember, prevention is the best treatment possible!

So once you've got the pooch packed, the rest is easy! Wishing all members and dogs a fantastic holiday this year, we all deserve it.