For many families, pets are very important. They are not just animals to care for but are considered already a part of the family. Therefore, it is understandable that families want their pets to join them on their vacations.
But it is not always easy to plan for Dog Friendly Vacations. You want to make sure that everyone in the family, humans, and pets alike, will actually enjoy it.
If you are planning on only going on a day trip, then it would be easier. You won’t have to think about finding accommodations for your dog since you will just be going back home by night time. But what about those times when you will be spending a few days from the house?
Aside from a regular vet checkup before the trip, you should also consider the benefits of having a pet plan like those from Bivvy.
Here are some other tips you can follow if you are planning on taking your pet dog on a vacation.
1. Call the hotels to make sure that you can bring your dog – Before choosing which hotel or accommodation you will be booking, you need to call them first. Aside from making sure that they will accept pets, you will need to know the exact restrictions of the place. Some hotels will ask you to pay a pet fee so you need to factor that in your budget. Other than that, you might want to know if they only allow small dogs in their hotel. Or perhaps only certain areas of the hotel will be available for your pet, so you can’t bring your pet to the swimming pool for example. You might also want to ask whether they have any sitters that can take care of your dog in case you want to leave the hotel for a bit.
2. Make your dog is comfortable if driving – If you will be traveling by car, it is important that you make it as comfortable as possible for your dog. If you will not be crating your dog, make sure he is used to wearing a seatbelt. For those who will be using a cage or a crate, try to bring them a chew toy or a blanket that they use at home. Traveling may be stressful for some pets so having something familiar might help them feel more peaceful.
3. Do some test drives to get your dog used to road trips – If you have never traveled far with your dog, it might become stressful on the day of your trip. To make it easier for you and the rest of your family, bring your dog with you from time to time and get him or her used to go around using the car. You can start with short trips then eventually making long travels so that they will not feel cramped while inside the car.
Schedule stops when going on a long road trip – If your trip will take at least four hours, it is important that you have some stops. This is beneficial not just for your pet but for you. While having bathroom breaks, take your dog for a short walk so that they can not only relieve themselves but also have a bit of exercise.
