Travelling with raw dog food in the UK is perfectly manageable, provided you plan the cold chain as carefully as you plan the lead, bed and poo bags. Take enough of your dog’s usual food, keep it properly frozen or chilled, defrost meals safely in a fridge, and avoid making last-minute changes to their diet while you are away.

The biggest practical issue is temperature. Raw food should not be left in a warm car, tent or holiday cottage kitchen for hours while you settle in. A decent cool box or cool bag with enough frozen ice packs can bridge the journey, but it is not a substitute for a freezer or fridge once you arrive. Check your accommodation’s facilities before ordering or packing food.

If your dog is staying with a sitter or boarding provider, ask well in advance whether they can store and handle raw meals safely. Clear, written instructions and pre-portioned meals make the arrangement much easier for everyone.

Travelling with raw dog food UK: the simple plan

Start by working backwards from your travel dates. Count every meal your dog will need, then add a small buffer for a delayed journey, an extra night away or a dropped portion. It is usually easier to take meals in the same format and proteins your dog already eats rather than experimenting with holiday-friendly alternatives.

Before leaving, confirm:

• Whether there is a working freezer at your destination, and enough room for your dog’s food.
• Whether there is a fridge available for defrosting the next meal safely.
• How long the journey will take, including likely stops and traffic.
• Whether your sitter, cottage owner or boarding provider has any food-storage rules.
• Who will feed your dog if you are delayed, and where the meals and instructions are kept.

For a short break, individually portioned complete meals are often the least fiddly option. They keep feeding familiar and make it straightforward to see exactly what has been used. If you need help choosing enough food for your dog’s trip, Raw Dogs Dorset can help you work out a practical order from our complete raw meals.

How much raw food should you pack?

Pack your dog’s normal daily amount, based on the routine that is already working for their weight and body condition. A long walk, beach day or countryside break may increase activity, but it does not mean every dog needs substantially more food. Some dogs are more excited, less settled or less hungry away from home.

Rather than changing the whole feeding plan, take a little extra food and monitor your dog as you normally would. Keep treats modest if your dog is having plenty of rewards on walks, and remember that richer chews and treats still count towards what they eat across the day.

A useful packing method is:

1. Label each meal with the day and whether it is breakfast or dinner.
2. Pack the number of usual meals required, plus one or two spare portions where practical.
3. Keep a separate bag for treats, feeding equipment and cleaning supplies.
4. Write down your dog’s usual portion if someone else will be feeding them.

For dogs that eat a mix of proteins, take that same familiar rotation if you can. A holiday is rarely the best time to introduce a new protein, a richer meal or a different feeding schedule.

Keeping raw meals cold on the journey

Transport food from your freezer in an insulated cool box or sturdy cool bag with plenty of frozen ice packs. Put meals in straight from the freezer, pack them closely together and keep the bag out of direct sun. In a car, the footwell or air-conditioned cabin is generally a better choice than a hot boot, particularly in summer.

Keep the cool box closed as much as possible. Every stop to look for a meal or treat lets warm air in, so keep non-food items in a separate bag. If your journey is long, or the weather is particularly hot, plan around the limitations of your equipment. You may need to stop and buy more ice packs, travel with only the first few meals, or arrange a delivery to your destination where suitable.

On arrival, put frozen meals straight into the freezer. Move only the next meal, or the next day’s meals depending on their size and the manufacturer’s instructions, into the fridge to defrost in a covered, leak-proof container.

Do not rely on a cool bag for the whole holiday

A cool bag is for transport, not long-term storage. Raw food needs to remain frozen until you are ready to defrost it, or chilled in a fridge while it defrosts. If food has thawed and has not been kept properly chilled, the cautious option is not to feed it. Do not refreeze food that has thawed.

Check the instructions on the food you buy, as thawing and use-by guidance can vary by product. In general, defrost raw meals in the fridge rather than on a worktop, and use thawed food within the time stated on the label.

Safe raw feeding away from home

Holiday kitchens can be smaller, busier and less familiar than your own, so keep the routine simple. Food safety guidance for raw pet food is based on avoiding cross-contamination: contain the food, clean hands and surfaces after handling it, and keep your dog’s bowls separate from human food preparation.

• Defrost meals in a sealed container on a low fridge shelf, away from ready-to-eat food.
• Use a dedicated bowl, spoon or feeding mat where possible.
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after handling raw food, bowls or packaging.
• Clean and dry bowls after each meal, and wipe down any surface that has come into contact with raw food.
• Dispose of empty packaging promptly so it is not left in a warm bin or accessible to your dog.
• Offer fresh drinking water, especially after travelling, walking or chewing treats.

Feed at roughly the usual times if it suits your plans. Many dogs settle better when the basics remain predictable, even if the scenery is new. If your dog is not interested in a meal immediately after a long journey, give them a quiet chance to settle rather than trying to tempt them with lots of unfamiliar extras.

Leaving a raw-fed dog with a sitter

Pre-portioned food takes away much of the uncertainty for a sitter. Put each meal in a clearly labelled bag or tub, state where it should be kept, and give simple instructions that do not require them to guess.

Your note can cover:

• Your dog’s name, normal mealtimes and portion size.
• Which meals should be moved from freezer to fridge, and when.
• How long thawed food can be kept, following the product label.
• Whether meals should be served straight from the fridge or allowed to lose a little chill briefly in the bowl.
• Any usual extras, such as a measured treat allowance.
• Foods and treats your dog should not have.
• Your contact details and your veterinary practice details for emergencies.

Keep the instructions short enough to follow on a busy day. If the sitter is uncomfortable handling raw food, do not assume they will manage it once you have gone. Talk it through beforehand, show them the storage routine and make another arrangement if needed.

Boarding kennels have their own policies, so ask before booking. Some can accommodate frozen or raw food with advance notice; others may not have suitable storage or may only accept certain feeding arrangements.

Natural treats for days out and travel

Natural treats are handy for recalls, settling in a new place and keeping your dog occupied after a walk, but keep them familiar. Take treats your dog already tolerates well, particularly if they have a sensitive stomach. Small, easy-to-carry rewards are useful for training around campsites, busy promenades and unfamiliar holiday accommodation.

For longer-lasting chews, choose an appropriate size for your dog and supervise them, especially in an unfamiliar environment where they may chew differently. Remove small end pieces if they could be swallowed whole, provide water, and never give cooked bones. A chew is best offered when you can keep an eye on your dog, not as something to leave with them in a crate or alone in a holiday cottage.

You can view our natural dog treats before you travel, but introduce anything new well before the trip rather than packing it as a holiday surprise.

What to avoid on a raw-fed holiday

• Changing food, proteins or meal sizes suddenly because it seems more convenient.
• Leaving raw meals in a parked car, conservatory, tent or warm room.
• Defrosting food on the kitchen counter or beside human food.
• Guessing how long a thawed meal has been in the fridge.
• Refreezing food that has thawed.
• Asking a sitter to manage raw food without clear instructions or suitable storage.
• Overdoing treats because your dog is more active, excited or practising recalls.

If your dog is on a prescribed diet, has a condition requiring a tightly managed diet, or has had previous digestive or swallowing difficulties, get individual advice from your veterinary professional before making travel feeding changes. The same applies if they become unwell while away: keep food handling safe, but seek appropriate veterinary guidance rather than trying to solve a persistent problem by changing foods repeatedly.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take raw dog food in a cool box?

Yes, for the journey, provided it is well insulated and packed with enough frozen ice packs to keep the food cold. Transfer meals to a freezer or fridge as soon as you arrive. A cool box should not be used as long-term storage.

Can I feed raw food that is still partly frozen?

Many dogs will eat a meal that is still a little frozen, but it is more practical to defrost it safely in the fridge and follow the product instructions. Avoid leaving it out at room temperature to speed up thawing.

How long can thawed raw dog food stay in the fridge?

Follow the storage guidance on the specific product label. Keep it covered in the fridge, use it within the stated period, and do not use food if you are unsure how long it has been thawed.

Should I feed more raw food after a very active day?

Not automatically. Activity, body condition, appetite and the number of treats given all matter. Take an extra portion if needed, but make gradual, sensible adjustments rather than doubling meals for one busy day.

Can a dog sitter feed raw food?

Yes, if they are willing, have suitable fridge and freezer space, and understand the basic handling routine. Pre-portioned meals and a written feeding plan make it far easier.

Make holiday feeding the easy part

A little preparation means your dog can keep eating the food they know while you enjoy the break. Order in good time, portion and label meals before departure, and check your destination’s freezer and fridge space before setting off. For longer trips, it is often worth having food delivered ahead of time rather than trying to carry a full holiday supply in the car.

Raw Dogs Dorset offers nationwide online delivery, along with collection from Moordown and Blandford. If you are new to raw feeding, or need help working out meals for a holiday or sitter stay, learn how to start raw feeding and get in touch for practical guidance before your trip.