What to pack for your dog-friendly holiday in Mid Wales
Collette May 
A dog-friendly packing list to make sure you fetch all the essentials your pup will need with them on holiday.
One of the best things about booking a cottage holiday at Mid Wales Holidays is that you can bring everyone with you… including your dogs.
Our collection of dog-friendly holiday lets, plus camping facilities, means there’s no need to leave your four-legged family members behind in kennels or with a dog sitter. They can join you on your weekend break, mid-week adventure, or week-long holiday.
Mid Wales Holidays is not just a dog-friendly destination but a destination designed for dogs. We’ve done our best to make sure that you (and your dogs) have everything you need to have a fun, relaxing, and comfortable stay.
We know for certain that your canine companions will love exploring our expansive private fields and woodlands, where they can run free and sniff scents to their heart’s delight.
But there are a few things you need to bring with you to help guarantee that your dog really does have everything they need for a paw-some staycation.
In this blog, I’ve put together a dog-friendly packing list to make sure you fetch all the essentials your pup will need with them on holiday so that they enjoy their stay at Mid Wales Holidays as much as you.
Your dog’s favourite bed.
While our bed is the last thing we humans think about taking away with us on holiday, it’s incredibly important to pack your dog’s bed that they usually sleep in.
For your dog, their favourite bed is their den. It’s their safe space and will offer them a sense of security and familiarity in new and unfamiliar surroundings. This can help them to settle down quickly, which is especially useful if you are arriving late in the evening.
If your dog usually sleeps on your bed, that’s okay, too. At Mid Wales Holidays, you are welcome to allow your dogs to sleep on the beds with you so long as you provide your own bed linen.
If your dog normally sleeps in a crate at home, you’ll want to bring that too. Equally, if they are used to being left in one at home, a crate can also be handy if you’re planning to pop out without your dog for a few hours.
While bringing your own crate will guarantee it’s the right size, we understand that it can be challenging to fit larger crates into the car with all your other passengers and luggage. So, we do have some spare crates here, which guests can borrow for the duration of their stay.
If your dog has separation anxiety or struggles to settle in new places, or if you want to be out for longer than four hours at Mid Wales Holidays, I offer dog-sitting services. I’ve been a professional dog trainer, walker and sitter for over 10 years, qualified with the IMDT, am an accredited Gundog Club Instructor and promote the use of positive-reinforcement methods.
The dog’s dinner.
If you’re like me, chances are you’re looking forward to ditching the diet while you’re on holiday and indulging in meals out or cooking up some new recipes you wouldn't usually have at home in our self-catering facilities.
While this novelty is exciting for our tastebuds and adds flavour to our holiday, a sudden change in diet is not recommended for our dogs.
There are several places nearby if you do need to buy dog food while you’re here, and they do stock a wide range of popular brands, but it’s wise to pack a good supply of your dog’s food before you leave the house.
For those of you who raw feed your dogs, we have plenty of dedicated freezer space available, which can be used just for storing raw dog food during your stay.
It is also a good idea to bring more food than you think you’ll need. You never know if you’ll decide to extend your stay or get stuck in traffic on the way home.
We do have spare dog food and water bowls for guests to borrow during their stay, but it is often much better for your dog if you bring the bowls they’re most familiar with.
It's also always handy to have a collapsible travel water bowl and a bottle of water to take with you for car journeys, long walks and day trips out and about. Nowadays, you can buy water bottles with built-in bowls from most pet shops or outdoor clothing retailers, making it even easier to pack water for your dog.
Essentials for worry-free walks.
Whether you are just planning to stay on-site and exercise your dog on our 15 acres of private grass and woodland or are venturing further afield, you will need to ensure that you pack your dog’s lead, whistle (if you’ve used one to train your recall) and poo bags.
These are a definite must whenever you leave home, especially if you’re off on holiday, so packing these might seem like a no-brainer. But I have witnessed many who have forgotten these basic essentials, having been caught up in the excitement and rush of getting on the road.
As a dog owner, you should already be aware that it is illegal to not clean up your dog’s waste in a public area. But even when you are back on-site, it is imperative to pick up after your dogs and put used bags into the two large dedicated poo bins we have.
Please pack plenty of bags for your stay and keep some handy in your pocket when walking around the fields and woodlands. If you let your dog out to toilet on the garden in front of the holiday cottages in the night or early hours of the morning, please don’t forget to clean up after them in the morning.
One way to ensure you always have a lead, a whistle and plenty of poo bags to hand is to keep spares in your vehicle. I do this anyway, whether I am off on holiday or not, as you never know when they might come in handy.
If the worst happens and you do manage to forget or lose your lead or whistle and don’t have spares, we have a small shop stocking a range of gundog training equipment, including slip leads and whistles. I will also happily provide spare bags if you unexpectedly run out while the shops are shut.
There are plenty of epic dog-friendly hiking trails, such as Hafren Forest and Elan Valley, within easy reach of the cottages at Mid Wales Holidays. If you are planning to explore these and walk your dog off-site, it is wise to check that the mobile phone number on their ID tag is up to date.
For those embarking on longer walks, you might also want to consider some different dog-walking gear, too. Your dog might be happy to walk to the park on a flat collar and lead, but a well-fitted harness with a sturdy, longer lead is advisable for long-distance hikes.
Methods for drying dogs.
It is a bit of an unfair stereotype that it is always raining in Wales, as we do have plenty of days of beautiful clear skies and sunshine.
That said, muddy and wet dogs are a real possibility, especially if you are staying with us in the autumn and winter months.
And for those staying in the summer months, sandy and wet dogs are equally as likely as we have some lovely dog-friendly beaches about an hour’s scenic drive away.
All our accommodation is dog-friendly and we want you to feel at home during your stay. Similar to the rules you probably have at home, we do ask guests to make sure that wet and dirty dogs are not allowed on the furniture or carpeted areas.
In Penrhyllan, dogs can be kept in the hall, and in Y Beudy, there is a stairgate to block off access to the living room. Outdoor kennel facilities next to the holiday cottages can also be a handy place for dogs to dry off if they are wet after a walk, a trip to the beach, or swimming in our pond.
We have plenty of outdoor taps and hoses, so you can clean them off if they are muddy or sandy from the beach. You might want to pack some dog shampoo to make light work of this and leave you with a fresh-smelling pup.
You will need to pack a large dog towel or, if you have one, you’ll want to pack your dog’s drying coat or robe to keep them warm while they dry off. If you forget to bring a towel, please ask, as I can provide spares.
It is also a good idea to pack some smaller hand towels to wipe off dirty and wet paws before they come inside the cottages, even if they do not need a full hosing down.
Toys, treats and training.
If you’re going away with your dog, you should pack a few of their favourite treats and toys. Remember: it’s their holiday, too!
The 15 acres of private grounds you will have access to during your stay are often used for gundog training, and have been used for scentwork, mantrailing and even canicross.
If you and your dog currently participate in a dog sport and would like to make the most of our outdoor space, you are welcome to practice your training there.
If you have a retriever or spaniel and are interested in learning more about gundog training, or would like to progress or trouble-shoot issues you’re having, I offer private one-to-one gundog training sessions which can be booked during your stay.
Regardless of whether you’re planning to use the space for formal training or just for fun, be sure to pack your dog’s favourite ball (mine love the Chuck-It balls) or a frisbee to play fetch with. You might also want to bring a rope toy for some tug-of-war if your dog enjoys that.
To encourage them to use their brains instead of their muscles, you might also want to pack some puzzle and enrichment toys, such as Kongs, Lickimats, and snuffle mats.
These, along with natural chews like buffalo horns, pizzle sticks and yak bars, are also great ways to keep your pup entertained while you are trying to wind down and relax in the evenings, particularly if they struggle to settle in new spaces.
First-aid kit and medication.
It is vital that you pack any of your dog’s medication for your holiday.
I have dogs myself, and I can lend pretty much anything dog-related to guests in need, but medication is sadly not something I can help with.
We have a wonderful local vet who can help in emergencies, but if your dog is on regular medication, you will want to double-check and triple-check that it is packed before you leave the house.
If you don’t already keep one in your vehicle, you should also consider investing in a good canine first aid kit.
Cuts, injuries and minor accidents can also happen. It is always best to be prepared with a dog-friendly first aid kit. There’s not a huge amount of difference between human and dog first aid kits, so you might choose to add some items to an existing kit.
Having said that, there are some very good, well-put-together canine first aid kits on the internet which are just ready to grab and go. If you do have a first-aid kit, it’s also worth checking everything in it is still in date.
I hope you’ve found this list dog-friendly holiday packing list useful. If you haven’t yet booked your stay at Mid Wales Holidays, you can take a look at our availability here:
For more information on booking Y Beudy, our 2-bed cottage which sleeps up to 5, please click here.
