Your suitcase is almost packed. Your dog looks at you with eyes that seem to say: "I'm coming too, right?"

Yes, he is. And just like you, he needs his own things.

Going on holiday with a dog is a wonderful experience—but it requires a little more organisation than travelling solo. Forgetting something at home isn't just inconvenient; it can mean stress for him, a rush to veterinary pharmacies in an unfamiliar city, or worse.

This checklist is designed to help you not forget anything—from essentials to useful items, with some practical tips along the way.

📄 Documents — the first thing to check

Even before thinking about accessories, check the documents. Without them, in many cases, you can't even leave.

For travel in Italy:

• ✅ Health booklet updated with vaccinations
• ✅ Dog registry certificate (microchip)
• ✅ Up-to-date parasite treatment (some accommodations require it)

For travel in Europe:

• ✅ European pet passport
• ✅ Valid rabies vaccination
• ✅ Echinococcus treatment (required in some countries like Finland, Ireland, UK)

Practical tip: Make a photocopy of all documents and also save them digitally on your phone. If the original is lost, you'll always have a backup.

🍖 Food and water — dietary continuity is essential

Changing food during holidays is one of the most common mistakes—and one of the most annoying to deal with. A sudden change in diet can cause digestive upset that you don't want to deal with at the beach or in the mountains.

• ✅ Regular food in sufficient quantity for the entire trip + a few extra days
• ✅ Snacks and treats — also useful for managing new or stressful situations
• ✅ Collapsible bowl for water and food — lightweight, rolls up and takes up no space
• ✅ Dedicated water bottle — at the beach, in the mountains, in the car: constant hydration
• ✅ Waste bags — never forget them, no matter the destination

🏥 Health kit — hope not to use it, but always have it

You don't need to bring a complete pharmacy. Just the essentials to handle minor mishaps without having to frantically search for an emergency vet for something trivial.

• ✅ Flea and tick treatment — essential in summer, especially in green and wooded areas
• ✅ Intestinal dewormer — if prescribed by the vet
• ✅ Bandages and sterile gauze — for small cuts or abrasions on paws
• ✅ Saline solution — for cleaning wounds or irritated eyes
• ✅ Tweezers — for removing ticks (remember: rotate counter-clockwise, without squeezing)
• ✅ Trusted vet's number saved on your phone
• ✅ Address of the nearest veterinary clinic to your destination — find it before you leave, not when you need it

🛁 Grooming kit — fur doesn't go on holiday

On holiday, dogs run, swim, and roll around. They come back in the evening with sandy paws, sticky saltwater fur, or an odor that the hotel room doesn't deserve.

Here's what to pack for fur care:

• ✅ ShizenPet Dry Shampoo — the most versatile for travel: no rinsing, can be applied anywhere, in 2 minutes fur is fresh and odor neutralised. Perfect after the beach, after a walk in the woods, before returning to the hotel
• ✅ ShizenPet Botanical Deodorizer Spray — quick spray for an immediate refresh. Also works on dog beds, blankets, and car seats
• ✅ Brush or comb — especially for long-haired breeds, lack of daily brushing creates tangles that are difficult to resolve upon return
• ✅ Dedicated towel — for paws after the sea, lake, or rain. An old one works perfectly
• ✅ Wet wipes for dogs — for quick paw cleaning in situations where nothing else is possible

Why Dry Shampoo is the ultimate travel product: No significant extra weight, no need for water, safe even if licked immediately afterwards. In hotels, campsites, on boats: it works everywhere. And the lick-safe formula means zero worries if your dog cleans themselves right after.

We have a small 50ml size, very convenient to carry in your bag. 

🛏️ Comfort and routine — your dog needs their "portable home"

Dogs are creatures of habit. A new environment is already a source of stimulation and slight stress. Bringing familiar objects helps maintain their routine and makes them feel at home anywhere.

• ✅ Dog bed or blanket with their scent — the most important item. Their scent on something familiar is reassuring in a new environment
• ✅ Favourite toys — at least one or two, not all of them
• ✅ Leash and harness/collar — check that they are in good condition before leaving
• ✅ Updated identification tag with your mobile number active during the trip

🚗 In the car — the journey is part of the holiday

If you reach your destination by car, the journey itself requires some precautions.

• ✅ Carrier or dog seat belt — legally required in Italy, and above all, safer for everyone
• ✅ Stops every 2 hours — to let the dog move, drink, and relieve themselves
• ✅ Never leave them in the car in the sun — even with windows open, the temperature in a parked car in the sun can become lethal in minutes
• ✅ Non-slip mat for the seat — protects the seats and gives the dog a more stable surface
• ✅ Anti-nausea bags — some dogs suffer from car sickness, especially puppies. Ask your vet for advice if necessary

🏖️ Different destinations, different precautions

Sea 

Saltwater is one of the most bothersome things for dog fur—it dries out the skin, irritates the eyes, and fur matted with salt is difficult to manage. After each swim in the sea, rinse your dog with fresh water (when possible) and apply Dry Shampoo or Botanical Deodorizer to neutralize the odor and soften the fur.

Also pay attention to sand: your dog's paws on the beach accumulate fine sand between the paw pads—check and clean regularly to prevent irritation.

Mountains In the mountains, the main risk is ticks. Check your dog's fur every evening, paying particular attention to the neck, ears, armpits, and groin. The anti-parasitic treatment must be active before departure, not applied once you arrive.

Also be careful with streams and alpine lakes: cold water is invigorating but can cause hypothermia in small dogs or those not accustomed to it.

City and cultural trips Cities are stimulating but tiring—noise, crowds, hot pavements in summer. Always carry fresh water with you and limit outings during the hottest hours. Many European cities are dog-friendly, but always check the specific rules for museums, transport, and restaurants before you arrive.

📋 The complete checklist — to print or save

Documents

☐ Health booklet / European passport

☐ Microchip certificate ☐ Up-to-date vaccinations

☐ Vet number + nearby clinic at destination

Food and water

☐ Regular food (+ extra supply) ☐ Snacks and treats

☐ Collapsible bowl ☐ Water bottle

☐ Waste bags

Health kit

☐ External and internal dewormer ☐ Sterile gauze and bandages

☐ Saline solution ☐ Tweezers

Hair hygiene kit

☐ ShizenPet Dry Shampoo

☐ ShizenPet Botanical Deodorizer

☐ Brush or comb ☐ Dedicated towel

☐ Wet wipes

Comfort

☐ Familiar bed or blanket ☐ Favorite toys

☐ Leash and collar/harness ☐ Updated tag

Car

☐ Pet carrier or seat belt ☐ Non-slip mat

Conclusion: being prepared is half the journey

A dog on holiday is a happy dog — as long as its needs have been considered with the same care you used to plan the rest of your trip.

With the right suitcase and a little advance organization, holidays with your dog are an experience you wouldn't want to miss.

Have a good trip — to both of you. 🌿🐾

Read also: Why do dogs lick their paws? The most common causes and what to do | Why do dogs roll in smelly things?