Traveling With Your Dog: Nutrition and Wellness Tips for Road Trips and Vacations

There’s nothing better than hitting the open road with your best four-legged friend by your side. Whether you’re planning an autumnal cross-country adventure, a weekend camping trip, or just a fun getaway, traveling with your dog brings a special kind of joy. 

But just like you, your dog’s health and comfort on the journey depend on thoughtful planning, especially when it comes to nutrition and wellness.

From keeping meals fresh and easy to serve to making sure your pup stays hydrated, cool, and safe, a little preparation goes a long way. 

With the right approach, you’ll both be ready for adventure, wherever the road takes you.

Is It Hard to Travel with the Volhard Diet?

Is It a Good Idea to Bring Your Dog Along?

Absolutely! 

For many dogs, being part of family adventures isn’t just enjoyable, it’s enriching. Dogs thrive when they’re included in daily life and new experiences, whether it’s a scenic road trip, a cozy camping weekend, or a long vacation. 

Traveling together can strengthen the bond you share, give your dog the mental stimulation of new sights and smells, and build confidence in unfamiliar environments.

Of course, every dog is different. While some pups are natural explorers, others may feel more anxious when routines change. Before packing their bag, consider your dog’s personality, health, and comfort level with travel. Short practice trips, familiar toys, and a predictable feeding routine can help ease the transition.

With a little planning, most dogs can adapt well to life on the road!

Planning Ahead for Smooth Travels

Successful adventures start with preparation. 

Just as you’d plan your own meals, rest stops, and packing lists, your dog deserves the same thoughtful approach. Maintaining consistent nutrition and ensuring their wellness needs are met will make the journey easier for both of you.

Pre-Portion and Vacuum Seal Food for Freshness

One of the simplest ways to take the stress out of travel feeding is to pre-portion your dog’s meals before you leave. 

Measure out the right serving sizes at home and vacuum seal them into easy-to-pack bags. 

Not only does this save time when you’re on the go, but it also helps keep food fresher for longer and prevents spoilage. 

With meals already portioned, you can stick to your dog’s regular routine no matter where you are.

Packing the Right Gear for Road Trips and Camping

Bringing the right gear makes traveling with your dog far more enjoyable. 

Essentials include a travel-friendly food storage solution, bowls for food and water, and a leash or harness suitable for hiking or exploring new environments. 

Don’t forget creature comforts like their favorite blanket or toy to help them feel at home on the road. 

Bring Your Dog’s First Aid Kit

Accidents and scrapes can happen when exploring new places, so it’s always wise to pack a first aid kit for your dog. 

Include items like bandages, antiseptic wipes, calendula salve, and a digital thermometer. 

Having these essentials on hand means you can respond quickly to minor issues and focus on enjoying your trip.

Hydration and Safe Water Sources

Clean, fresh water is just as important for your dog on the road as it is at home. Always pack a dedicated supply of drinking water for your pup, especially when traveling to areas where water sources may be questionable. 

Portable water bottles and collapsible bowls make it easy to keep them hydrated at rest stops or on hikes. If you’re camping near natural water, avoid letting your dog drink from lakes or rivers where bacteria or parasites could be present.

Nutritional Tips for Dogs on the Go

Travel doesn’t have to mean compromising your dog’s diet. With a little preparation, you can keep mealtimes simple, balanced, and consistent, even when you’re far from home. The key is to pack foods that are lightweight, easy to serve, and nourishing enough to keep your pup energized for adventure.

Benefits of Dehydrated or Freeze-Dried Diets

Dehydrated and freeze-dried diets are a traveler’s best friend. They’re lightweight, compact, and easy to keep chilled in a cooler, perfect for road trips, camping, or long days outdoors. They provide your dog with a complete and balanced meal that supports both hydration and nutrition. 

Volhard’s Diets are designed to be versatile, giving you the option to add fresh proteins while ensuring your dog gets essential vitamins, minerals, and enzymes.

Easy Protein Additions on the Road

1. Pack a couple of cans of canned fish, like canned mackerel or sardines, just make sure to choose one with no added salt. 
2. Consider portioning out fresh protein for your dog's meals and packing in a travel-friendly cooler. Some coolers can even hook up to your car's power socket to maintain temperature.
3. Single-ingredient freeze-dried or dehydrated muscle meat options can be beneficial when you are on the go, especially if packing lightly is essential. For example, if you are backpacking with your canine companion, freeze-dried diced beef can be an option that can be added to both your meals and your pup's meals!
4. Eggs can also be packed in, and these make a delicious meal. There are plastic egg-holders that are fairly effective in protecting the eggs from being broken.

Avoiding Kibble and Processed Foods During Travel

It may be tempting to pack kibble for convenience, but it often works against you when traveling. Kibble can go stale or spoil in hot weather, attract pests or wildlife at campsites, and may cause digestive upset if your dog isn’t used to it. 

Fun and Refreshing Add-Ons

Traveling with your pup doesn’t have to mean sticking to just the basics. Adding a few fun extras can keep your dog cool, energized, and excited about mealtime while you’re away from home. With the right prep, treats and snacks can double as both nourishment and enrichment during your adventures.

Frozen Treats for Hydration and Cooling

Frozen treats are a simple way to help your dog stay comfortable and hydrated. You can blend plain yogurt, water, or goat kefir with dog-friendly fruits and freeze them into molds before you leave. Not only do these icy bites provide hydration, but they also give your pup something fun to look forward to after a long day on the road or trail.

DIY Travel-Friendly Snacks 

Best DIY Healthy Dog Treats! 2 Recipes - Gluten-Free & Natural Diet Foundation A.M. Porridge Version

Making Mealtime Easy Away From Home

Consistency is key to keeping your dog’s digestion happy while traveling. Pre-planning how you’ll serve meals means less stress for you and more comfort for your pup.

Using Volhard Natural Diet Foundation for On-the-Go Feeding 

Volhard’s Natural Diet Foundation makes fresh feeding while traveling straightforward. Just combine the mix with fresh or frozen protein and water to create a balanced meal in minutes. 

Because it’s dehydrated, it packs easily, saves space, and supports hydration when rehydrated. 

Whether you’re in a hotel room or a tent, our Foundation Diet gives you the flexibility to provide complete nutrition without sacrificing convenience.

Make Every Trip a Healthy, Happy Adventure with Volhard Dog Nutrition!

For more advice on dog nutrition, health, and training, contact us and check out our other blogs, too!

Volhard Dog Nutrition and its expert canine nutrition coaches offer online consultations to help more dog parents discover why and how to feed their dogs the healthiest foods!

Speaking to a Volhard canine nutrition coach will help you understand the inseparable relationship between healthy food, a healthy body, and a healthy mind.

If you want to contact one of our Volhard canine nutrition coaches, you can do so by utilizing our Live Chat feature or scheduling a consultation.

Reference List

Freeman, L. M., Chandler, M. L., Hamper, B. A., & Weeth, L. P. (2013). Current knowledge about the risks and benefits of raw meat-based diets for dogs and cats. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 243(11), 1549–1558. 

Panebianco, A., & Foley, J. (2018). Ensuring adequate hydration in working and sporting dogs: a review of hydration status and fluid supplementation. Animals, 8(9), 140. 

Rochlitz, I. (2005). A review of the housing requirements of domestic dogs in relation to their welfare. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 93(1–2), 97–109. 

Brown, W. Y., & Elliott, R. (2020). The stability of freeze-dried pet foods: Effects of storage conditions on nutrient retention. Journal of Animal Science, 98(Supplement_3), 102–103. 

Mathews, K. A. (2009). Canine and feline physical examination and wound management. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 39(4), 831–848. 

Case, L. P., Daristotle, L., Hayek, M. G., & Raasch, M. F. (2011). Canine and feline nutrition: a resource for companion animal professionals. Elsevier Health Sciences.