7 Tips for Traveling with Your Dog During the Holidays

The holidays bring joy, togetherness—and let’s be honest—a little chaos.
Between road trips, crowded airports, and new environments, travel season can be stressful for everyone… including your dog.

It’s estimated that over 2 million domestic animals travel by plane each year, and dogs make up more than half of them [3].

Whether you’re flying cross-country or driving to Grandma’s house, a little planning can make the journey smoother for both of you.

Here are seven ways to keep tails wagging from takeoff to touchdown.

1. Make a Dog Travel Checklist

Before you hit the road (or skies), plan ahead and make sure you’ve packed everything your dog needs for a smooth, stress-free trip:

Essentials

Food & treats (+ extra for delays)

Travel bowls for food & water

Leash, harness & waste bags

Favorite toys or chewies

Bed or blanket that smells like home

Updated ID tags & vaccination records

Microchip info (verify it’s up to date)

Medications & supplements with instructions

First-aid kit for dogs (bandages, vet wrap, etc.)

Vet contact info + nearest emergency clinic

Comfort & Safety

Crate or crash-tested car restraint

Poop bags + clean-up supplies (wipes, towels)

Water supply (bottled or filtered)

Weather gear (coat, paw balm, towel)

Calming aids (blanket, pheromone spray, supplements)

Bonus for Holiday Trips

Spare collar & leash (if necessary)

Travel ID tag with cell number or temporary address

Copy of feeding schedule & care notes

Travel mat or seat cover

Favorite high-value treats for positive reinforcement

Pro Tip: Keep your “dog travel kit” pre-packed in a small duffel or plastic tote. Store nonperishable items (extra leash, collapsible bowls, meds, etc.) there year-round—so when it’s time to hit the road, you just grab and go.

Familiar scents and textures can do more for your dog than you might think. Studies show that keeping consistent cues—like their own bed, blanket, or favorite toy—can help lower stress levels and promote calm behavior during travel [1,2].

2. Keep Routines Consistent

Dogs are creatures of habit—and travel can easily throw that off. Try to keep your pup’s feeding, walking, potty, and bedtime routines as close to normal as possible, even when you’re on the go.

Those little daily rituals—a morning stroll, a post-dinner playtime, or a bedtime treat—act as powerful signals that everything’s okay. Research shows that familiar patterns like these help dogs stay emotionally balanced and reduce signs of stress when their surroundings change. Keeping structure steady gives your pup something reliable to hold onto, even when the scenery isn’t [1,2].

3. Road Trip Ready: Car Travel Tips

If you’re hitting the road this holiday season, your pup’s comfort and safety come first—especially for dogs who get a little uneasy in the car.

Before you go:

• Use a crash-tested harness or secured crate in the back seat.

• Offer a light meal 2–3 hours before departure to prevent upset stomachs.

• Give your pup a bit of pre-trip exercise to release extra energy (see Tip #6).

On the road:

• Stop every 2–3 hours for water, movement, and potty breaks.

• Keep the cabin cool, quiet, and well-ventilated.

• Bring a blanket or toy that smells like home to help them settle in.

Some dogs show signs of stress on long car rides—like panting, restlessness, or drooling. Research suggests that motion and unfamiliar movement patterns can trigger mild anxiety or discomfort in traveling dogs [3,4]. Keeping breaks frequent and the environment calm can make a noticeable difference in how relaxed your pup feels [4].

Try This: Offer a PupGrade Calming Support Soft Chew about 30–60 minutes before you leave. Its blend of L-Theanine, Chamomile, and Valerian Root helps support relaxation and a calm mood—perfect for those long drives and winding roads.*

4. Flying with Dogs During the Holidays

Airports can be a sensory overload—bright lights, crowds, loudspeaker announcements, and endless new smells. It’s no wonder many dogs find flying stressful. 

In fact, owner-reported studies show that most dogs experience at least mild signs of stress during air travel, but preparation makes all the difference [3,4].

Here’s how to make flying easier for both of you:

• Check airline pet policies early. Each airline has different carrier sizes, fees, and eligibility rules, so be sure to double-check before booking.

• Use a familiar carrier. Let your dog nap or hang out in their carrier at home before the trip to create positive, relaxed associations [3].

• Exercise before check-in. A tired dog is usually a calmer traveler [3].

• Keep your travel kit at the ready: include treats, a collapsible water bowl, wipes, and an absorbent pad for comfort and cleanup.

• Talk to your vet ahead of time. For most dogs, behavior-based calming strategies or natural supports work better than last-minute sedatives—sudden sedation can make in-flight monitoring harder and isn’t always recommended for air travel [3].

5. Staying with Family or Friends

New places come with new smells, people, and sometimes other pets—which can feel overwhelming for your pup. The goal? Help them find something familiar in the unfamiliar.

• Create a comfort corner. Bring your dog’s bed, crate, or favorite blanket from home. Familiar scents act as grounding cues that may help lower stress and promote calm [1].

• Keep meals consistent. Stick with their usual food and feeding schedule. Sudden diet changes—especially during travel—can lead to digestive discomfort or restlessness [4].

• Maintain their routine. Yes, this applies here, too! Walks, playtime, and bedtime rituals aren’t just habits—they’re emotional anchors that help your dog self-regulate and feel secure in new environments [2].

• Support their digestion. Bring along PupGrade Digestive Support Soft Chews to help maintain healthy gut flora through travel shifts. Blueberry prebiotics, probiotics, and pumpkin work together to support digestive function when routines change.*

If your dog is prone to motion or travel-related tummy upset, talk with your vet ahead of time about what kind of pre-travel prep or timing makes sense for your pup’s needs.

6. Before You Go: Tire Them Out 

A little pre-trip exercise goes a long way. A brisk walk, a few minutes of fetch, or a short training game helps your dog burn off extra energy and travel with a calmer mindset.

Research shows that dogs adjust better to new or stressful situations when they’re prepared with positive, supportive handling beforehand [1]. Pairing light exercise with something enjoyable—like a favorite toy or a quick play session—can make the journey start on the right paw [3,4].

7. Be Flexible, for Both of You

Even the best-laid travel plans can hit a few bumps. Delays, traffic, or changes in routine happen—but your reaction matters more than the schedule. Dogs naturally look to their humans for cues, so when you stay calm, patient, and steady, they’ll mirror that energy [1,2,3].

Stick to familiar touchpoints—walks, rest breaks, their bed or blanket—and take small pauses when you need them. Those consistent comforts can help your dog reset when the day gets long.

And if your pup seems unusually anxious or their stress doesn’t ease after you arrive, check in with your veterinarian before the next leg of your trip. A little professional guidance can make future travels smoother for both of you.

Holiday Travel Success Starts with Prep

With the right planning and mindset, holiday travel with your dog doesn’t have to be stressful!

Pack smart.
Keep routines steady.
And don’t forget a few travel-day helpers—like Calming Support and Digestive Support—to keep your pup feeling comfortable, balanced, and ready for every adventure along the way.*

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This information is intended for general purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your veterinarian before making any changes to your dog’s diet or health routine, especially if you notice persistent or concerning changes in your dog's movement or behavior.

**These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.

Resources: 

1. Gazzano V, Curadi MC, Baragli P, Mariti C, Cecchi F, Cavallo S, Sacchettino L, Gazzano A. Physiological and Behavioral Evaluation of Shelter Dogs During Veterinary Routine Health Checks. Vet Sci. 2025 Jun 13;12(6):583. doi: 10.3390/vetsci12060583. PMID: 40559820; PMCID: PMC12197497. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12197497/ 

2. Dog Owner’s Academy. The Impact of Routine on Dog Behavior and Training. April 24, 2025. https://www.dogownersacademy.com/

3. Jahn K, Ley J, DePorter T, Seksel K. How Well Do Dogs Cope with Air Travel? An Owner-Reported Survey Study. Animals (Basel). 2023 Oct 4;13(19):3093. doi: 10.3390/ani13193093. PMID: 37835699; PMCID: PMC10571552. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10571552/

4. Mariti, Chiara & Ricci, Enzo & Mengoli, Manuel & Zilocchi, Marcella & Sighieri, Claudio & Gazzano, Angelo. (2012). Survey of travel-related problems in dogs. The Veterinary record. 170. 542. 10.1136/vr.100199. https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1136/vr.100199