Travelling with your dog can be great fun, whether you're heading off on a road trip, camping for the weekend or taking them on a longer holiday. But while you're enjoying the change of scenery, your dog is suddenly dealing with a completely different environment and routine.

Different waking times, long car journeys, busy days out and unfamiliar accommodation can all affect when and how your dog eats. Keeping their feeding routine as close to normal as possible gives them at least one familiar part of their day.

Thankfully, it doesn't need to make travelling complicated. A little preparation before you leave can make feeding your dog on the road much easier.

Keep Mealtimes as Consistent as Possible

If your dog normally eats at roughly the same times each day, try to stick to those times while you're away.

Of course, holidays don't always run to schedule. You might be halfway through a long drive, exploring somewhere new or waiting to check into your accommodation when your dog's usual dinnertime arrives. Being a little late occasionally isn't the same as completely changing their routine for the duration of the trip.

If you know you'll be busy, setting a reminder on your phone can be useful. It's surprisingly easy to lose track of time on a day out, especially when your own meals aren't following their normal routine either.

When planning a longer journey, factor your dog's usual meals, toilet breaks and opportunities for fresh water into your plans. Keeping some consistency can make the whole experience easier for both you and your dog.

Take Their Usual Food with You

A holiday generally isn't the best time to suddenly introduce a completely different food.

Your dog already has plenty of new sights, smells and experiences to deal with, so taking the food they're accustomed to keeps at least one thing familiar.

If you're looking for the best dog food for your pet before travelling, consider their usual nutritional needs as well as practical things such as how you'll store it, how much you'll need and whether it's easy to portion while you're away.

It's also worth packing enough for the whole trip, plus a little extra in case you're unexpectedly delayed. Finding your dog's exact food at your destination isn't always as easy as you might expect, particularly if you're staying somewhere rural or travelling abroad.

For dry food, you can measure individual portions into reusable containers or bags before leaving home. Alternatively, take a measuring cup or scoop so you can give your dog the same amount they normally have.

If having food delivered regularly makes life easier at home, you might also be interested in whether pet food subscriptions are worth it. Just remember to make sure you've got enough food delivered before you set off rather than discovering halfway through packing that you're running low.

Store Dog Food Properly While Travelling

Think about where your dog's food will be kept during the journey as well as at your destination.

A sturdy, sealed container can protect dry food from moisture and spills while also keeping insects and other animals away from it. It can help contain the smell too, which is particularly useful when everything is packed together in a car or tent.

Be careful about leaving food in a parked vehicle during warm weather. Car interiors can become extremely hot, so food that's sensitive to heat may need alternative storage.

If your dog eats wet, fresh, frozen or raw food, you'll need to plan for appropriate storage throughout the trip. Check what facilities your accommodation provides before leaving rather than discovering when you arrive that there's nowhere suitable to keep it.

Don't Forget About Water

Food is only half of the equation. Your dog needs reliable access to fresh drinking water while travelling too.

Take water and a portable bowl for the journey rather than assuming you'll always be able to find some when you stop. Collapsible bowls take up very little room and are useful for car journeys, walks, hikes and camping trips.

On longer drives, regular stops give your dog an opportunity to drink, stretch their legs and go to the toilet.

Keeping food, water, bowls and anything else your dog regularly needs together in one accessible bag can save you from having to unpack half the car every time you stop.

Plan Meals Around Your Activities

A packed itinerary can make it tempting to squeeze your dog's dinner in wherever there's a spare five minutes, but try to give them somewhere calm to eat.

If you've spent the day exploring a busy town, walking a long trail or visiting new places, returning to your accommodation and allowing your dog to settle before eating may be more comfortable than feeding them in the middle of everything that's going on.

Think ahead when you're planning days out too. If you'll be away from your accommodation at your dog's normal mealtime, take what you need with you or arrange your day so you can return in time.

It's all part of the responsibility that comes with having an animal. If you're relatively new to pet ownership, my guide to important things to consider when choosing a pet for your family looks at everything from feeding and exercise to healthcare, holidays and the ongoing costs involved.

Travelling with More Than One Pet

Taking several pets away requires a little more organisation, particularly if they eat different foods or portion sizes.

Keep each pet's food separately labelled so there's no confusion when you're unpacking or feeding them. This is particularly useful if somebody else is helping with feeding during your trip.

If you're travelling with both a cat and a dog, for example, you'll need to pack their usual foods separately. Choosing the best cat food for your cat is a separate consideration from your dog's diet, and a trip away isn't an ideal time to start swapping either pet onto something unfamiliar.

Separate containers can also stop an opportunistic dog from helping themselves to the cat's dinner when nobody is looking.

Be Prepared for Delays and Changes

However carefully you plan a trip, things don't always go according to schedule.

Traffic, delayed transport, bad weather or problems with accommodation can all interfere with your plans. This is another reason to keep some extra food and water somewhere easily accessible rather than packing absolutely everything at the bottom of your luggage.

If dinner ends up later than normal one evening, simply return to your dog's usual routine when you can rather than completely rearranging subsequent meals.

Taking a little more food than you expect to need also gives you some breathing room if your journey home is delayed.

Keep an Eye on How Your Dog Is Eating

Some dogs seem completely unfazed by travelling, while others can be unsettled by a new environment.

You may find your dog isn't as interested in food when you first arrive somewhere unfamiliar. Excitement and a change of surroundings can both affect how keen they are to eat.

Offering their familiar food in a quiet place and sticking to their normal routine may help them settle. If you usually feed a particular brand, such as open farm dog food, taking the same food away with you avoids adding an unnecessary dietary change to everything else that's different.

A change in appetite isn't something to ignore indefinitely, though. If you're concerned about your dog's eating or drinking, or they show other signs of being unwell, seek veterinary advice rather than assuming it's simply because you're away from home.

It can also be useful to look up the details of a local vet before travelling, particularly if you're going somewhere remote or staying for an extended period.

Pack a Simple Dog Feeding Kit

You don't need lots of special travel equipment, but keeping your dog's feeding essentials together makes life considerably easier.

Pack their usual food, a scoop or pre-measured portions, food and water bowls, fresh water for the journey, treats, any medication they require and something secure to store everything in.

Keep at least one meal and some water somewhere you can reach easily while travelling rather than burying it underneath the rest of your luggage.

If you're going away for more than a night or two, packing a little extra food is sensible too. You don't want an unexpected delay to leave you searching unfamiliar shops for exactly the right brand or variety.

Final Thoughts

Maintaining your dog's feeding routine while travelling doesn't mean your holiday has to revolve around exact mealtimes. It's more about keeping things reasonably familiar in an otherwise unfamiliar environment.

Take enough of their normal food, store it properly, keep fresh water available and think about mealtimes when planning long journeys and days out.

A bit of preparation before you leave means less hassle once you're away, while giving your dog some reassuring consistency as they explore somewhere new with you.