Dogs are part of the family, so when we go away traveling or on holiday it can be stressful having to leave them behind in kennels. However, if you’re not planning on going abroad and will be traveling in the country you live in, why not bring them with you? Ask yourself these five questions before going ahead.
Are they generally relaxed, well socialized and in good health?
Not every dog is an ideal candidate for taking on holiday with you. If they’re nervous, can be aggressive or are in poor health then it could be a much better idea to put them in kennels or have an experienced dog sitter care for them while you’re away. If you’re getting to your destination by road but your dog hates the car then it’s going to cause them a significant amount of stress. If you’re traveling by rail or public transport and they get agitated or nervous in busy places then again, it’s not the best situation to put them in. If your dog is generally healthy, relaxed and you know you can take them anywhere without too much hassle then you could definitely consider traveling with them.
Where’s the best place to visit?
Because of quarantine and disease issues in animals, you can’t just bring your dog on a plane with you to a foreign country. So taking your dog traveling is almost always going to involve staying in your home country. Have a think about where you’d like to go, it could be camping, staying on a boat, staying in a pet friendly hotel or a vacation rental that allows pets.
What kinds of things will you do?
Once you’ve decided on your destination, you can start thinking about the kinds of things you’ll do. Because you’ll have your dog with you, this rules out certain activities and places you can enter. But there’s lots you can still do- days at the beach (just check ahead of time if dogs are allowed) walks in nature reserves and national parks, window shopping around cities. Lots of pubs, cafes and restaurants are dog friendly so again this is something to check before you set off so you know where you can go.
What will you need to bring?
Have a think about what you’ll need to bring for your dog. First of all, they should be chipped with the chip details checked- it all needs to be up to date in case you and your dog are separated. Put a tag on their collar with your phone number too, this is a legal requirement in many places now. Purchase a good quality harness and lead which is sturdy and comfortable for them as well as for you to hold. A doggy flask with water will allow you to give them a drink when you’re on the go, and some snacks and treats are a good idea too. If you don’t want to lug heavy tins or bags of dog food with you, you could always buy some when you get to your destination. A foldable crate is a good idea where they can sleep, if you need to leave them in the hotel room or vacation rental for a little while you can be sure that they’re not going to destroy the room.
Will you need pet travel insurance?
Finally, do some research and find out if you’ll need dog travel insurance or if you’ll need to update your pet insurance company. If the worst happens and they get injured or sick, you don’t want to be left out of pocket.
