How to Care for a Dog While You’re on Vacation

Arrange reliable care before you leave and give the caregiver clear, written instructions: choose a sitter, friend, or boarding facility, list the daily routine and medication schedule, and leave emergency contacts and supplies. Do a short trial if you can so the dog and caregiver have a working routine before the trip.

Choose who will care for your dog: options and how to decide

The first decision is whether your dog will stay at home with a sitter or go to a boarding facility. The right choice depends on your dog's health, temperament and familiarity with strangers or kennels.

Pet sitting versus boarding: a short comparison

In-home pet sitter or friend: Your dog stays in familiar surroundings, which reduces stress for many animals. You must evaluate the caregiver's experience and reliability.
Boarding facility: Offers staff supervision and a controlled environment. Facilities differ widely in size, staff-to-dog ratio and rules; visit in person before committing.

When deciding, weigh your dog's social needs, any medical requirements and how long you'll be gone. If you want a checklist for interviewing a sitter, see Choosing a Dog Sitter: What to Ask.

Prepare a written routine and supplies

Care quality improves when the caregiver follows your dog's normal routine. Write everything down and assemble a single box of supplies the caregiver can use while you are away.

Daily routine checklist (give this to the caregiver)

Feeding schedule: amount, brand and how to measure.
Exercise: typical walk times and duration, preferred routes or play games.
Bathroom schedule and cues your dog uses.
Behavior notes: what calms your dog, how to handle barking, when to ignore attention-seeking.
Sleep and crate habits: where the dog sleeps and how crate training is handled.

Supplies to leave (pack in one easily labeled box)

Food for the full trip plus an extra two or three days supply.
Leash, harness, two collars (one with tags), and a spare ID tag.
Medications with clear labels, dosing tools and a schedule (see the medication section below).
Comfort items: favorite bed, toys and a recent blanket with familiar scent.
Cleaning supplies: waste bags, stain remover, paper towels and instructions for accidents.

If you tend to travel with packing lists, compare this to your own list at What to Pack When Traveling with Your Dog.

Medication management: how to make it fail-safe

Medication errors are one of the most common problems when owners leave pets in others' care. A clear system reduces mistakes.

Step-by-step medication plan to leave with the caregiver

Label each bottle or blister pack with the dog's name and the exact dose and times to give.
Prepare a daily pill organizer or pre-filled syringes if liquid medication is required.
Write a short dosing sheet that shows dates, times and the caregiver's initials column so they can sign after each dose.
Include instructions for what to do if a dose is missed, and when to contact you or a vet.
Leave the veterinarian's phone number, clinic address and permission to authorize treatment if needed.

For more on compiling health records to hand over, see Pet Medical Records: What to Include.

Emergency planning and authorization

Prepare for emergencies with information and authorization upfront so caregivers can act promptly and correctly.

Essential emergency items and instructions

Primary veterinarian contact and an alternate emergency clinic near the caregiver's location.
Written permission for the caregiver to authorize emergency care and a credit card authorization if you want them to use yours.
Clear notes on allergies, chronic conditions and any recent health changes.
Photos of the dog and copies of ID tags and microchip details.

Put these documents in both printed and digital form so the caregiver can access them quickly.

Trial run and handoff: practical steps the week before you leave

A brief test reduces surprises. Use this step-by-step handoff to confirm the caregiver can follow your routine.

Schedule a play or overnight visit for the caregiver to learn your dog's cues and habits.
Run through the written routine together and demonstrate leash handling, feeding and medication administration.
Show where supplies are stored and where to find cleaning materials and emergency paperwork.
Give the caregiver one reliable method for reaching you and one for reaching a local contact if you are unreachable.
Agree on check-in frequency: daily text updates, photos, or calls for special needs dogs.

Common mistakes owners make — and how to avoid them

Under-communicating special needs: Omit nothing about anxiety, medical reactions or safe handling; write it down.
Assuming a friend can give medication: Demonstrate and have them show you on a trial run.
Skipping a vet release form: Without permission many clinics will delay care; pre-authorize emergency treatment.
Leaving with no contact plan: Designate a local emergency contact who knows the dog's routine and vet information.

Worked example: one-week trip for a dog with daily medication

Imagine Maria travels for six days. She hires a sitter to come twice daily, prepares a labeled medication organizer for each day, leaves a written routine and does an overnight trial with the sitter two days before departure. She also prints a one-page emergency form with her vet's number and signs a treatment authorization. The sitter checks in with a photo and a quick note each day. This reduces stress for the dog and prevents missed doses or decision delays if the dog needs care.

Closing: practical final checks

Before you leave, confirm the sitter or facility has your keys, the supply box and emergency documents, and that they understand the routine and medication plan. A short trial run and clear written instructions are the most consistent ways to ensure high-quality care for your dog while you are away. If separation anxiety is a factor for your dog, review strategies at Managing Dog Anxiety When You Travel to reduce stress during your absence.