We are a pet-loving nation, through and through – and that fact doesn’t change when it comes to the holiday season, either. In fact, more than half of all dog owners take their dog on holiday with them, in order for all the family to enjoy the trip. If you’d like to take your dog on holiday but haven’t before, you might be wondering how to go about it. The following tips will help you plan the perfect trip, and ensure your dog is accommodated all the way.
Find Pet-Friendly Accommodation
The first step to ensuring an utterly successful getaway with your furry friend is to secure accommodation that accepts pets. Some hotels and private holiday lets can be very particular about what is and isn’t allowed on-premises, dogs included not checking ahead with your chosen accommodation can be a recipe for disaster in this case.
Meanwhile, some locations are almost aggressively pro-pet and may offer a wide variety of facilities and amenities to keep your dog happy and cosy throughout your stay. In some cases, you may be picking your holiday destination for this accommodation – so your dog can have as much pampering as you!
Pack for Your Dog
Whether you’re taking a short weekend break or an extended holiday with your dog, it is important that you pack for your pet – and do so separately from your own packing. A holiday isn’t merely an extensive walkies session, and your dog will have some essential requirements on top of any creature comforts.
Even if your accommodation has dog beds provided, bringing your dog’s favourite bed or blankets can help them get comfortable. There is also a range of dog travel accessories available to ensure your pet-accompanied holiday is a success, from travel bowls for easy drinking to harnesses and carriers for safe adventuring.
Plan Travel Carefully
As with accommodation, bringing a pet on holiday with you raises additional concerns and considerations. For international travel, there have been some horror stories regarding the treatment of pets in hold luggage on aeroplanes. Unless you can guarantee your pet’s safety, or place in the cabin with you, domestic holidays may be better suited for your pet and your stress levels!
Even for domestic travel, ensuring your pet’s comfort and safety during travel can be a little difficult. If you’re driving, you should allocate a large amount of room for your dog to get comfortable in – whether by moving the seats back or dropping them down to create an extended boot space.
Keep Your Routine
Even in a new environment, you should stick to a familiar routine to keep your dog grounded and happy. Try to get up and go to sleep at the same time as you normally do, and organise walks for the usual times of the day. Maintaining a normal structure will prevent your dog from acting up too much, allowing you to properly enjoy your holiday together!
