Dog-Friendly Vacations: Bring Your Best Friend With You!
Some of the toughest dog-sitting decisions happen around vacation time. Just who should your little pup stay with? Is it a family member, a friend, or a kennel? It’s a hard decision, and rightfully so…
But have you considered taking your pup on vacation with you?
It’s not exactly an uncommon occurrence. But for many owners, the thought simply doesn’t cross their minds. So, we’re going to outline all the fantastic reasons you should think again and take your pets with you when you travel!
Trust us – there’s plenty of reasons you’ll want to. And plenty of things to do!
Why you should take your dog on vacation…
A vacation is a time for us to let our hair down and relax. For many people, it’s a time to step away from the chaos of everyday life and destress. For dogs, it’s a little different. They don’t have the same stressful day-to-day activities that we do – they don’t pay pills, work, or do other monotonous chores.
But our pups do get bored…
So, they’ll absolutely jump at the chance for new scenery, new experiences and just more time with you! And they often won’t really care what they’re doing if they’re with you – whether it’s going for a long hike, chilling by the beach or another dog-friendly retreat.
Not only that, but it can provide a bonding opportunity for the both of you. You’ll get to know your dog more than ever – and this includes understanding what parts of the vacation they like and the parts they’d rather miss out on! Though you might already have an idea about that before you head off…
Regardless of what your dog likes though, it’s no doubt you’ll have a blast when you bring your pup along!
How do you go on vacation with your dog?
If you’ve never taken your dog on vacation before, then you might be confused about where to even begin. After all, there are countless possibilities, but there’s also a lot of restrictions. And no one wants the added stress during a vacation.
Luckily for you, we’ve broken down ways to ensure your trip goes smoothly…
Know your destination
There’s a little more planning to be done when taking your pup with you. But it’s not too overwhelming. First, you’re going to need to pick your destination. This will likely be in line with what your dog’s preferences are. Are they an energetic dog or do they prefer to laze around at home? Do they enjoy the water or prefer to stay on dry land? These are the kind of things that might affect your decision.
Once you know your destination, you’ll have to look around for some pet-friendly activities. There’ll always be places to go for a stroll, but when eating out or getting involved in other tourist activities, you may want to do some research. So, it’s time to start googling the best pet-friendly restaurants and dog-friendly city tours! Just make sure your pup gets some rest time in, too.
Make sure the accommodation is pet-friendly
This is perhaps one of the most important things to ensure when booking your vacation. No one wants to be the person that resorts to sneaking their dog into their “no pets allowed” hotel room. There’s definitely pet-friendly hotels around, but just make sure you double-check!
Some of the most common accommodation bookings include spacious cabin and AirBNB rentals. These allow you both the space and comfort you need, while generally being a little more on the private side, too! The home-like vibe of a cabin or home rental can help put your dog at ease in an unfamiliar place, knowing they have a space to themselves. There’s also plenty of room for your dog’s bed, food, tasty dog treats and anything else you need to bring along!
Remember food and comfort
As we’ve just mentioned, bringing your dog’s bed and food is necessary when taking them on vacation. You may be able to acquire some of the things you need wherever you’re going, but it’s important that your dog has some of their comforts with them on the trip. So, whether they’re comfortable with their bed, crate, or blanket – remember to bring it along to help them feel at ease.
Additionally, making sure your dog has access to food and treats is essential. It’s a good idea to pack enough to get by. If your dog is on a specific diet (medical or otherwise), you’ll need to bring the stuff from home. Otherwise, you may be able to find what you’re looking for. But it’s always good to check what’s available in the local area before heading out.
Bring the doggie essentials
Beyond food and a bed, there’s a few other things you should consider bringing with you. You have the basics: treats, a food and water bowl, chew toys, a collar and leash, and so on… And, of course, anything that your dog deems “special” – a blanket or toy – might be missed if you leave it at home.
But another thing that shouldn’t be overlooked is the pet-specific first aid kit. Hopefully, you won’t need to use this on your vacation, but just like any other walk, there may be things your dog encounters that just can’t be helped. So, things like paw treatments, tick-removers, etc. will be good to have on hand if you need them. And you may want to consider keeping a copy of your vet records in the kit too – just in case.
Enjoy your doggie vacation
It may seem like there’s a lot to plan but going on vacation with your dog is not much different than going on vacation with family or friends. There’ll always be things that need researching.
The most important thing is that you remember to have fun and enjoy quality time with your four-legged best friend.
You’ll have time to do the things you both enjoy, while ensuring that special bond grows even stronger. So, enjoy your adventure and remember to show your dog how much they matter!
