Travelling with your pup may seem daunting, especially if you’ve never done it before. The key to success is preparation- as a wise old dog once said, ‘fail to prepare and prepare to fail’. So I have put my thinking hat on, and written a fool proof doggy suitcase list to help your trip run as smoothly as possible.

ID (and documentation): If you’re taking your dog out and about it’s always good to have an ID tag on them- and you could even make an extra ID with your holiday details on for while you’re away. Check what documentation you need for your pet before you travel, and carry it with you at all times.  The UK government have a lot of information up on their website to help you.

Harness: Our bestselling harness is now available with Cool Pup technology. Using lightweight and heat resistant SPF fabric with a cooling ice pack inside- that will keep your pup cool for up to 6 hours. Perfect for a sunny holiday!

Recent Photo: Every dog owners phone is full of pictures of their pup, print out a couple to keep with you in case your dog gets lost in an unfamiliar location.

Lead: Why not bring a spare too- you don’t know how far away you might be to a pet store if your lead goes missing.

Bedding: Bringing bedding from home that smells familiar is an excellent way to keep dogs calm during travelling and when they first arrive in a new location. A blanket that smells like home can be easily squashed up and carried with you for the journey.

Jacket: If you’re travelling to somewhere nippy bring a jacket with you- especially for thin or short-haired breeds like whippets or greyhounds.

Towels: Nobody wants wet fur all over the place when you’re a visitor, or to ruin guest towels with your pups muddy paws! Having a designated dog towel will help keep you in everyones good books.

Old Sheet: Easy to stuff in the bottom of your bag, you can use an old sheet to cover furniture or carpet, this is especially handy if you’re going to a hotel. Keep that cleaning to a minimum.

Lint Roller: A must for any furry pet owners bag, keep that dog fur off your bikini!

Food: Dogs are prone to an upset tummy when they travel, and you could risk making it worse by changing their diet while you’re away. Keep it simple and pack enough of their regular food to last while you’re away.

Bowls: Our collapsible travel bowls are perfect for the summer, they fold down small enough to pop in your pocket. Great for on the go.

Plastic Mat: Super useful if your dog is a messy eater.

Poo Bags: In your suitcase, hand luggage, rucksack, purse and pocket. Stuff these bad boys everywhere.

First Aid Kit: You can pack up a few essentials and pop them in a bag to take with you, or to be extra safe invest in a Hi-Travel Pet First Aid Kit. With everything from tweezers to a foil blanket.

Sun Screen: Our Luscious Locks 2-in-1 Aloe Vera and Tangerine Oil formula will detangle your dog’s coat and protect its sensitive skin from harmful UV rays all at the same time.

Life Jacket: Made of the same material as human life jackets, doggy life jackets will help keep your pup afloat in water. Our life jackets have a reflective stripe which will help you keep an eye on your dog in the water.

Let us know if you have any extra travel must haves for you and your dog- and Happy Travels!

It has been over a year since London’s first ever cat cafe opened, despite being over the moon with excitement when it first opened I have only just got a chance to pop in!

There are twelve cats at Lady Dinah’s, all beautifully looked after. This is not a place to come and bother cats, but a little oasis of furry calm in the middle of London. The cats were all very chilled, especially Wookie who I had the pleasure of cuddling up to mid-tea.

Although there are walk-ins allowed, I would recommend booking to make sure you get a spot (especially if there are more than three of you wanting to go).

I treated myself to a High Tea, and although I was there for the cats I was definitely more than happy to stay for the food. It was top notch!

One of the many perks of working at PetLondon is having the beautiful Marylebone High street on our doorstep- and this Sunday we are excited to be spilling out on the streets to take part in the Marylebone Summer Fayre. We will be carting off some really exciting bits and pieces to share with you all over at Blandford Street!

The Marylebone Summer Fayre takes place every year, with the whole community getting involved. It is the perfect place to spend your Sunday getting lost in, as there is something there for everybody, lots of food and drink, crafts, children’s activities and even a music stage featuring some of the most exciting new acts in the country.

Most excitingly of course, lots of local businesses will be there, we are super chuffed to be a part of this and would love to see as many of our canine chums as possible on the day. We will be selling our most popular items at incredible discounts, and will have more exclusive offers for everyone who comes by the stand. You will also have a chance to get your paws on our bumper hamper, through our exciting social media competition. At 2pm we will be giving away pup friendly ice cream to every dog who comes by, don’t be late, as we only have limited amounts!

It is going to be pawesome!

The PetLondon community is the best bunch of dog experts we know! So, when we wanted to write about the best doggie friendly spots we turned to Twitter to reach out to you all- and we weren’t disappointed. We have shortlisted your Top Five places to visit with your pup this Summer

Whitby Abbey- Recommended by Roary!

First up is the gothic splendour of Whitby Abbey, a stunning English Heritage Site in North Yorkshire, Whitby Abbey was the inspiration behind Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Just a short climb from the picturesque Yorkshire town of Whitby, you and your pup can sink your teeth into incredible history and views. Roary loves exploring the ruins of the abbey, and also recommended other English Heritage sites around North Yorkshire. We spoke to English Heritage and they wanted to add that all all pups must be kept on a lead- and that we should be respectful of dog waste.

Dalby Forest- recommended by Lady

Next up is Dalby Forest, a beautiful spot nestled in the North York Moors. No two trips to the forest need to be the same, there are miles of fantastic walks- dogs are welcome on all of their walking trails and outside the visitor centre there are dog bowls for a quick refresh after walkies! Dalby Forest were really pleased to have been picked by Lady, we spoke with the centre manager who wanted to add ‘Dalby Forest is a great place to spend time with your four legged friend, my favourite walk is the Adderstone Rigg Trail which starts and finishes in our open grassy field- so there is plenty of space for a game of fetch!’. Lady loves Dalby Forest, here is a pic of her looking windswept and interesting mid-walk.

42 The Calls, Leeds

Once an 18th Century Mill, 42 The Calls has been beautifully converted into an award winning- and dog friendly- boutique hotel. Each room has a unique character, a mix of quirky original features and luxurious modern touches, with many of them overlooking the River Aire. What makes 42 The Calls so special is the attention to detail, as well as the homemade fudge laid out for you, the hotel will provide you with doggy treats for your pup to tuck into! This was recommended by doggie owner Donna, who also tipped us off that many of the surrounding pubs are dog friendly too! The team at 42 The Calls are lovely, they were excited to be part of our list and commented ‘we love giving owners the flexibility to travel with their beloved pets’.

Salcombe Harbour Hotel and Spa

Another little gem for you, Salcombe Harbour Hotel and Spa is a taste of luxury for you and your pup. Recommended to us by Scooby, who loved his stay, and his owner Sarah who fell in love with her view of the Estuary. The hotel and spa are tucked into the Salcombe Estuary, you can wake up to stunning views of the Devon landscape. Spend the day with your dog exploring the coastline, before returning to snuggle up on the rooftop terrace, looking out across the water as the yachts sail by.

The Orchards Tea Room: Dogs, children and muddy boots are welcome in the Orchards Tea Room, nestled in a working apple orchard on the Cambridgeshire/Norfolk Border. Everyone in the team loves dogs, and they have plenty of dog biscuits and water on hand for canine visitors! Work up an appetite for the delicious freshly prepared food by exploring the orchard with your dog. They also host charity dog shows, the next one is the 4th July.

Thank you so much to every dog and owner who helped us out, and happy travels everyone!