You have packed the bags, planned the route, and booked the pet-friendly stay. Then someone asks: what is the dog eating on the way? For most Indian pet parents, this is an afterthought. It should not be. A 5-hour drive to Rishikesh or a 7-hour run to Bhimtal with the wrong food - or the wrong timing - can mean an upset stomach, car sickness, or a very unhappy dog in the back seat. Here is everything you need to know.
The Most Important Rule: Do Not Change the Diet on a Trip
Whatever your dog eats at home, that is what they eat on the road. A road trip is not the time to switch brands, try a new food, or give them something "special." Dogs have sensitive digestive systems, and the stress of travel already puts their gut under strain. Adding a diet change on top of that is the fastest route to loose stools or vomiting - neither of which you want inside a car.
Carry your dog's regular food. Pack more than you need. If you are going for 3 days, carry 5 days' worth. Running out of food in Lansdowne and trying to find Royal Canin at a local store is not a good experience.
Dry Kibble: The Best Travel Food
Dry kibble is the single most practical food for road trips. No refrigeration needed, easy to measure, non-messy, and familiar to your dog. If your dog eats dry food at home, this is all you need to carry.
Indian brands available nationally:
Drools Focus Adult - India's most popular premium domestic brand. Grain-free options available. Widely available at pet stores and online (Amazon, Flipkart, Supertails). Good value for quality. The Focus range (not the regular Drools Nutrition range) is the one worth carrying.
Royal Canin - Breed-specific formulas, the most widely recommended by Indian vets. Heavier on the pocket but the digestive formulas (Digestive Care, Sensitive) are excellent for travel because they reduce the risk of upset stomach. Available in most tier-1 and tier-2 cities.
Farmina N&D - Italian brand, widely available in India via Supertails, HUFT, and Amazon. Grain-free, high-protein, made with real meat. Popular among owners who want natural diets. Good for travel because the high protein density means smaller portions.
Canine Creek - Premium Indian brand, grain-free, manufactured by Abis Exports (same company as Drools). Better ingredient quality than standard Drools at a mid-range price. Available online.
Arden Grange - UK brand, hypoallergenic, no wheat, soya, beef, or dairy. Good for dogs with sensitivities. Available through select stores and online. If your dog has a sensitive stomach, this is worth trying before the trip.
Pedigree - The most accessible and affordable option. Available at nearly every pet shop and supermarket in India. Not the highest nutrition profile but reliable, familiar, and your dog almost certainly won't refuse it. Good backup option if you run out of your usual brand.
Wet Food: Use Carefully
Wet food is high in moisture, which is good for hydration, but it requires refrigeration after opening and is heavier and messier to carry. Single-serve pouches (Royal Canin gravy pouches, Drools wet food sachets, Farmina wet food) are the travel-practical option - one pouch per meal, no leftover storage problem.
Avoid feeding wet food right before a long drive stretch. It is harder to digest than dry food and may contribute to nausea, especially in dogs prone to car sickness. Wet food works well as a reward once you have reached your destination and your dog has settled.
Good single-serve options available in India: Royal Canin Mini Adult Gravy pouches (85g), Drools Focus Real Chicken chunks in gravy (415g, single can), Farmina N&D wet food (285g pouches).
Treats: Essential, Not Optional
Treats serve two functions on a road trip: reward for calm behaviour in the car, and mental engagement during long stretches. Pack a variety.
For training and rewards: Small, soft treats - Chip Chops chicken strips, Pedigree Dentastix (also good for dental hygiene on the road), Drools Absolute Biscuits. Keep these accessible in the front seat.
For longer engagement: Bully sticks, rawhide-free chews, dental chews. These keep a dog occupied for 20-30 minutes - useful when you are stuck in traffic on the EPE or waiting at a dhaba. Heads Up For Tails stocks good options.
What not to give: Human road snacks - chips, biscuits, namkeen, bread, anything with onion or garlic. These are either too salty or outright toxic to dogs. Also avoid raw meat treats that require refrigeration.
Meal Timing on the Road
This is where most pet parents get it wrong. Feeding your dog a full meal 30-60 minutes before getting in the car is one of the most common causes of car sickness in dogs.
The right approach:
Feed a light meal 2-3 hours before departure - roughly half the usual portion. Give the dog time to digest and relieve themselves before the drive starts. During the drive, offer small treats every 1-2 hours at rest stops. Feed the full meal only after you have arrived and your dog has had 30 minutes to settle and explore the new space.
For very long drives (6+ hours), one small mid-journey meal at a rest stop is fine. Give it during a 15-20 minute break where the dog walks, drinks water, and relieves themselves - not in the moving car.
Water: The Non-Negotiable
Dogs dehydrate faster than humans on long drives, especially in the back seat of an Indian car in April or May. Carry more water than you think you need - minimum 1 litre per dog for every 4 hours of driving, more in summer.
Use a collapsible silicone water bowl at every stop. Dogs often will not drink from a cupped hand or a bottle cap - a flat bowl is essential. The HUFT travel mat roll comes with straps; their collapsible bowls fold flat into a bag pocket. Available on Supertails and Amazon India.
Do not rely on roadside dhabas or petrol stations for clean water. Carry your own, from home.
Dogs with Car Sickness
If your dog vomits or drools excessively in the car, skip the meal entirely before a long drive. A small treat 2 hours before departure is fine; a full meal is not. Consult your vet before the trip - there are safe anti-nausea medications for dogs (Cerenia/maropitant is commonly prescribed in India) that can be given before travel. Do not give human anti-nausea medication.
Keeping the car well-ventilated, having the dog face forward (not sideways), and taking frequent breaks all reduce car sickness significantly.
Food for Dogs at the Destination
Many pet-friendly properties in India - including Emerald Trail in Bhimtal and Barefoot House near Mussoorie - can prepare simple home-cooked meals for dogs on request: boiled chicken, rice, and eggs. Always inform the property in advance if you want this.
However, do not switch to home-cooked food suddenly if your dog is on kibble at home. A sudden change causes digestive upset. Use the property's dog meals as a supplement, not a replacement.
The Quick Packing Checklist
- Main food (kibble) - enough for trip duration plus 2 extra days, in an airtight container
- Single-serve wet food pouches - 2-3 as rewards on arrival
- Small soft treats - accessible in front seat
- Longer chews - for traffic and long stretches
- Water - minimum 1 litre per dog per 4 hours, more in summer
- Collapsible water bowl - one per dog
- Measuring scoop - to maintain consistent portion sizes
- Poop bags - more than you think you need
Where to Buy Before Your Trip
- Supertails (supertails.com) - widest selection, fast delivery, vet advice available
- Heads Up For Tails (headsupfortails.com) - premium treats, travel accessories, collapsible bowls
- Amazon India - Drools, Royal Canin, Farmina all available with Prime delivery
- PetKonnect, Fluffyn - good for premium imported brands