Key Takeaways
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Carry your dog's vaccination card and a vet fitness certificate.
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Keep your dog's usual food. If you're switching, start at least 7 to 10 days before the trip.
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Sealed retort pouches like BLEP dog food need no fridge. Chill opened leftovers and use them within 48 hours.
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Stop every two to three hours for water, a toilet break and a stretch.
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A parked car can heat up by about 10°C in 10 minutes, so never leave your dog inside.
Plans for travelling with dogs in India need more than just a pet-friendly hotel booking. Your dog needs familiar food, enough water, health documents, comfortable bedding and a few travel essentials. Whether you're heading to the hills or to the beach, planning these details beforehand can make the holiday easier and safer for everyone.
Before you go: get your dog travel-ready
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Vet check and documents. Make sure vaccinations, especially rabies, are current. India's Transport of Animals Rules, 1978 require a health certificate from a qualified vet for dogs travelling by rail, road, sea or air. Carry it with the vaccination card.
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Tick prevention. Start it before trips to the hills or the beaches, where dogs walk through grass and forest trails.
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ID. Put your phone number on the collar tag and take clear photos of your dog in case you get separated. If they have markings, click them clearly. Microchip your dog if you haven’t yet.
Dog travel checklist: what to pack
|
Category |
What to pack |
|
Food and water |
Usual food for every day plus a little extra, treats, water from home, collapsible bowls, cooler bag with ice packs |
|
Health and first aid |
Prescribed medicines, tick prevention, bandage, antiseptic, tick remover, tweezers |
|
Comfort |
Own bed or blanket, harness, leash, favourite toy, sweater for the hills, floaties for the pool |
|
Documents |
Vaccination card, vet fitness certificate, hotel confirmation, vet numbers along the route |
|
Clean-up |
Poop bags, wipes, old towels, an enzyme spray for accidents |
How to feed your dog while travelling?
The easiest way to manage dog food for travel is to stock up on meal-size packs of a natural dog food like BLEP. Firstly, it comes in smaller packs that you can just feed and discard, no need to carry around any open packs. Plus, natural dog food has more moisture than ultra-processed dry food, that keeps your dog better hydrated and their digestion smooth.
However, if you’re switching to natural dog food, start from 8-10 days before your trip at least. A holiday is not the best time to experiment with new recipes or treats.
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Serve a light meal a few hours before setting off, following your vet's advice if your dog experiences motion sickness.
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Carry enough dog food for the trip and a little extra. BLEP dog food monthly packs come in convenient combos of recipes and number of packs. But the first time, start with the dog food trial packs.
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Avoid sharing dhaba food. It may contain onion, garlic, spices, excess salt or cooked bones that can be harmful.
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Keep feeding times as consistent as possible.
BLEP's retort-packed dog food is even more convenient for road trips because sealed pouches have a 12-month shelf life and don't need refrigeration.
However, if you open the pack and there is some leftover, you can refrigerate it and feed it within 48 hours. A hotel fridge or properly chilled cooler bag in the car can help you store the opened food.
Hydration on long drives
Stop every two to three hours and offer water from home, since unfamiliar water can upset some stomachs.
Pour a little BLEP bone broth over meals for extra moisture, especially for dogs who drink less when they're excited or unsettled. Use it alongside water, not instead of it.
Car safety basics
Clip your dog into a crash-tested harness on the back seat, or use a secured crate. Keep heads inside the window.
Never leave your dog alone in a parked car. According to the AVMA, a car's interior can heat up very quickly. by about 10°C in 10 minutes and more than 20°C within an hour, even in shade. On a 30°C Goa afternoon, that's over 50°C inside.
If your dog gets anxious or carsick, our guide to dog car anxiety and motion sickness covers it step by step.
Choosing pet-friendly hotels in India
A "pet-friendly" label can mean very different things. Ask these before booking:
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Is there a pet fee, or a size or breed limit?
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Are dogs allowed in the room, the lawn, the pool and the restaurant?
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Is there a fridge in the room for opened food?
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Where is the nearest vet?
Bring your dog's own bedding, as familiar smells help them settle in a new room.
Road trip with your dog in India: hills vs beaches
|
Concern |
Hills |
Beaches |
|
Weather |
Near-freezing nights. Pack a sweater and keep bedding dry |
Hot afternoons. Walk early morning and evening, with shade and water |
|
Paws |
Wipe off snow, ice, salt and grit after walks, and check between toes |
Rinse off sand and salt water, and check for cuts from shells or rocks |
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Other risks |
Ticks on grassy trails. Flat-faced breeds may struggle at high altitude |
Drinking seawater, unfamiliar beach dogs, and local rules on dogs |
Goa gets loud on New Year's Eve. Keep your dog in a quiet room and see our New Year fireworks safety guide.
Calm support for anxious travellers
For dogs who find travel stressful, BLEP SUPER Stress Buster is a vet-formulated calming supplement for dogs that supports relaxed behaviour without sedation. Start about 15 days before the trip, and on the day of, give it about 60 minutes before a journey, following the weight-based directions on the pack. Check with your vet first if your dog takes medication or has a health condition.
Watch out for signs of travel anxiety in dogs, such as panting, drooling, whining, trembling, pacing, yawning or lip-licking, refusing to get in the car, and vomiting before the journey even starts.
When to see a vet on the road
Before you leave, save the numbers of 24-hour vets near every stop on your route.
|
Signs |
Urgency |
|
Heavy panting, drooling, bright red or pale gums, or collapse after time in a car or the sun |
Emergency: cool with water and see a vet now |
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Repeated vomiting, or can't keep water down |
See a vet the same day |
|
Fever, weakness, pale gums or not eating a few days after a tick bite |
See a vet the same day |
|
Torn paw pads, bleeding or limping that doesn't ease |
Contact a vet promptly |
Frequently Asked Questions
What documents do I need to travel with my dog in India?
A vaccination card showing rabies vaccination, and a fitness certificate from a qualified vet.
How long can my dog stay in the car without a break?
No more than two to three hours. Stop for water, a toilet break and a short walk.
Can I feed my dog in the car?
It's better not to. Feed a light meal three to four hours before driving, and offer water at stops.
Do hotels in India allow dogs?
Many do, but rules vary widely. Confirm fees, size limits and room access before you book.
What is the best dog food for travel?
Choose food your dog already eats and tolerates well. Shelf-stable, sealed retort pouches can be convenient because they don't require refrigeration before opening. BLEP dog food comes in such meal-size packs.
Can I take my dog to the beach?
Often, yes, but check local rules, avoid midday heat and keep your dog on a leash near other animals.
Looking to explore more tips on how to look after your furry friend? Check out our other guides like Can Dogs Eat Apples?, Can Dogs Eat Blueberries?, Dog Food for Weight Loss, Raw v/s cooked meat for dogs, Home Remedies to cure tick fever, Finding Good Dog Food in India, How many times should I feed my dog?, Things you should do to keep your pet healthy, Types of Dog Food, How Prebiotics and Probiotics can improve your dog's digestion, Essential Tips for a New Dog Parent, and others. Each guide is designed to help you make better food and care choices for your dog, to keep them happy, healthy, and thriving.
Resources
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Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI). The Transport of Animals Rules, 1978. https://awbi.gov.in/uploads/regulations/163309961689TRANSPORT%20OF%20ANIMALS,%20RULES,%201978.pdf
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American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Pet Safety in Vehicles. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/pets-vehicles
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Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Petfoodology. The Scoop on Storing Pet Food. https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2020/10/26/the-scoop-on-storing-pet-food/
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People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), Pet Health Hub. Diarrhoea After a Change of Food. https://www.pdsa.org.uk/pet-help-and-advice/pet-health-hub/conditions/diarrhoea-after-a-change-of-food
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American Kennel Club (AKC). Taking Your Dog to the Beach: Tips and Safety. https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/tips-for-taking-dog-to-beach/
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Lone Tree Veterinary Medical Center. Can Pets Get Altitude Sickness? https://www.lonetreevet.com/blog/can-pets-get-altitude-sickness/
