Heading away with your dog is most definitely something to look forward to. But for some who feed a raw diet, they often question whether it can still be done when travelling. The truth is, feeding raw while on holiday is usually very manageable. It just requires a bit of planning and a flexible approach.
Is it safe to feed raw while travelling?
Yes, as long as you follow basic food hygiene principles, just like you do at home. Raw food should be stored as you would at home, handled cleanly, and not left out for extended periods. Check out your accommodation for fridge/freezer facilities. Are they big enough to carry your human food along with your dog food?
For shorter journeys, frozen meals stored in a cool box or insulated bag are often enough to keep food at a safe temperature until you arrive. Beyond that, it often becomes less about whether you can transport it, and more about whether it makes sense to. It may be easier to source food when you arrive rather than transporting everything with you.
A bit of research beforehand can make things much simpler. Look for:
- raw food suppliers near your destination
- pet shops along your route
- options near your point of entry if travelling further afield
For travel within the UK, this approach can reduce the need for large cool boxes and minimise the risk of food thawing during longer journeys.
If you are travelling abroad, there are additional considerations. Current legislation prevents taking meat containing cat and dog food from the UK into Europe unless it is veterinary prescribed and accompanied by documentation. This doesn’t mean you need to stop feeding raw. It just means planning ahead becomes more important. Identifying where you can buy food locally, both near your destination and along your route, allows you to maintain consistency without unnecessary stress.
What else should I consider?
When you travel, it’s not just location that changes. Your dog’s routine, environment, and daily rhythm often shift too. Try to keep feeding times roughly consistent, even if other parts of the day shift slightly. This helps maintain a familiar rhythm.
For some dogs, it’s normal for appetite to fluctuate when you’re away. A new environment can be stimulating, and some dogs are simply more interested in what’s going on around them than what’s in their bowl. Short-term changes in intake are rarely a cause for concern in otherwise healthy dogs. In many cases, appetite settles once the environment becomes more familiar.
Where and how your dog is fed can make a difference too, particularly in a new setting.
If you’re staying somewhere unfamiliar, consider whether your dog has a quiet space to eat. Busy kitchens, shared accommodation, or outdoor areas with lots of activity can all reduce focus on food.
If there are other dogs around, even temporarily, it may help to separate feeding times so your dog can eat without distraction or pressure.
Remember to lift up your dog’s raw food if they don’t seem interested in eating. It should be stored in a container back in the fridge until you serve it at the next mealtime.
In addition, holiday feeding is not the time to introduce lots of new variables. No matter how tempting it is to buy a huge selection from a new pet shop you’ve found! If your dog already eats a range of proteins, stick to familiar options where possible. If they are more selective, this is a good time to lean into what you know they eat well.
You could also consider using Tummy Boost to support any sensitive tummies whilst you’re away.
Do you need a back-up plan?
It can be useful to have a flexible approach, particularly for longer trips. If raw feeding becomes difficult for a day or two, whether due to travel logistics or storage limitations, short-term alternatives are unlikely to cause issues in an otherwise healthy dog so try not to panic. It is always worth doing a dummy run at home, well-before your holiday. Source an alternative and trial with your dog. This way, if something means raw just isn’t on the menu for a few days, you know your dog will eat the alternative and tolerate it.
Feeding raw on holiday is entirely doable. With a bit of planning and a calm, flexible approach, it quickly becomes part of the routine rather than something to worry about.
Lisa Hannaby-Aird
A Registered Associate Nutritionist who specialises in translating nutrition science into practical, everyday guidance for dog owners, drawing on her training in nutrition alongside a background in psychology, biochemistry, and neuroscience.
