How to Groom Your Dog Before a Summer Holiday or Road Trip
A calm, clean dog makes for a much easier journey. Here is how to get them ready.
5 min read | August 2026
Packing for a summer holiday is stressful enough without adding a shedding, smelly, or itchy dog into the mix. The good news is that a proper pre-trip grooming session takes less than an hour and makes the whole journey easier, whether you are driving three hours to the coast or flying off with your dog in tow.
A dog who is freshly groomed travels better. Loose fur stops flying around the car. Skin that has been checked and cleaned is less likely to flare up in a hot vehicle. And a dog who smells clean is simply nicer to have curled up next to you for six hours on the motorway.
Why grooming before you travel actually matters
Cars get hot fast in summer, even with air conditioning running. Warm, enclosed spaces make existing skin irritation worse and encourage more shedding. Dogs also pick up dirt, grass seeds, and tangles faster in summer because they are out and about more, rolling in gardens and running through long grass before you have even left the house.
A quick grooming pass before you go means you are starting the trip with a clean coat, trimmed nails that will not scratch car upholstery, and a dog who is genuinely more comfortable. It also gives you a chance to spot anything that needs sorting out before you are three hours from your own vet.
Travel Grooming Kit Essentials
Concentrate shampoo
Small bottle, no wasted space in the boot
Slicker brush
Catches loose hair before the car does
Quick-dry towel
For muddy paws at every rest stop
Nail clippers
Trimmed nails protect seats and floors
A simple pre-trip grooming routine
You do not need a full spa day. A focused hour, two or three days before you leave, is enough to make a real difference for the whole trip.
Work through the whole coat, paying extra attention to the belly, behind the ears, and under the tail where tangles hide.
Bathing too close to travel day can leave the coat slightly damp for the journey, so build in a little buffer time.
Look for redness, discharge, or anything that needs sorting before you are away from your usual vet.
Long nails get uncomfortable on long car journeys and can scratch upholstery, boots, and hotel floors.
A concentrate bottle takes up almost no room and means you are covered for a mid-holiday clean-up.
Managing shedding and smells on the road
Even a freshly groomed dog will shed a little in a warm car, so keep a small brush in the glove box for a quick once over at rest stops. This also gives your dog a moment to stretch and settle, which helps on longer drives.
If your dog gets a bit whiffy after a long day of walks, park visits, and general holiday excitement, a waterless or rinse-free option is worth having in the boot. You can freshen up the coat without needing a full bath in a caravan sink or hotel bathroom.
Settling in once you arrive
After a long journey, a short brush and a paw wipe helps your dog feel more like themselves again. New smells, new sounds, and a change of routine can be a lot for a dog to take in, so a familiar grooming routine gives them something recognisable in an unfamiliar place.
If you are staying somewhere with a garden, check your dog over each evening for grass seeds, ticks, or anything picked up during the day. Holiday spots often have plants and wildlife your dog is not used to at home, so a quick daily check is worth the two minutes it takes.
A little preparation goes a long way. Get the grooming sorted before you leave, keep a small kit in the car, and you will spend far less time worrying about muddy paws and far more time actually enjoying the trip.
Pack smart with a refill shampoo that takes up almost no space
Shop Mousse ShampooRelated topics: