Set up a feeding corner that stays tidy
Choose a bowl position that is easy to reach, easy to clean and outside the busiest path through the kitchen.
Start with the floor and the doorway
A dog bowl beside the cooker is likely to be in somebody's way just when dinner becomes busy. Look for a permitted washable surface with enough room around it for the dog to eat as usual. Keep access to doors and appliances clear. If the kitchen is tiny, another allowed room may offer a better arrangement than squeezing everything beneath the breakfast table.
Bring the bowls your dog normally uses, plus a suitable mat if useful. A familiar bowl is easier than improvising with the host's crockery, and your own mat helps keep splashes contained. Check the surface afterwards rather than leaving trapped moisture beneath it throughout the stay. Avoid using a household towel as a permanent floor protector without permission.
Leave the water bowl somewhere it can remain available without being kicked or repeatedly moved. A feeding position that is only usable while the kitchen door is shut may become inconvenient through the day. Walk the normal route to the fridge and table before settling on the spot, and check that another guest can understand the arrangement without a warning each time.
Make food storage straightforward
Keep food closed and clearly identified, especially when more than one dog is staying. Store it as required by its instructions, and confirm any essential refrigeration needs before travelling. Separate it from the group's own groceries so that the first person making breakfast does not have to move pet supplies around every morning. A compact container can be easier to manage than an open sack in a narrow cupboard.
Maintain the feeding arrangement that works at home. Holiday bustle is not a reason to crowd dogs together or let children play around the bowls. Tell other guests where the feeding space is and when to leave it clear. If an established veterinary diet or prescribed routine is involved, follow the professional instructions rather than adapting them to the cottage kitchen.
Clear the small things promptly
Wash and store bowls appropriately, wipe up spills and check for food beneath nearby furniture. Keep cleaning materials suitable for the floor and away from the dog. Before departure, look behind the mat and under the feeding corner: this is where a tidy room can hide the evidence of several meals. A little attention after each use makes the final clean much less of an event.