Author: Allen Brown
If you’re considering taking your dog on a 2-week vacation, you first need to consider what’s best for them. Think about this, at home, your pup is comfortable. They have all their favorite toys, sleeping spots, and they know the routine. When you take your pooch on vacation, you’re taking them away from everything familiar to them. This isn’t a big deal for some dogs, while for others, it can be an alarming and anxiety-inducing event.
Will My Dog Travel Well?
If you want to know whether it’s a good idea to take your pup on vacation or whether it would be better for you to find a dog hotel, ask yourselves the following questions:
- Can you find pet-friendly attractions and accommodations? Some amusement parks let you bring your dog in, but what happens if you want to go on a ride? Will there be someone to hold your pooch while you ride? What about hotels? Does your hotel allow dogs? If your plans involve activities or hotels where your dog isn’t welcome, it’s best to leave them at home.
- Does your pooch enjoy car rides? Dogs that don’t do well in cars are poor candidates for vacation companions. Therefore, you’re going to want to make sure that your pup is comfortable riding in a car. They should also be able to hold their bladders and not be prone to chewing.
- Will you be traveling by air? Air travel can be challenging, if not downright hazardous, for many pets. Smaller dogs may be allowed in the cabin, but larger dogs will have to travel in the cargo hold. The cargo hold can be a frightening place for pups, especially if your dog has trouble breathing or is easily frightened.
- What happens if there’s an emergency? Are you going someplace where there’s easy access to a vet? Do you know basic pet first aid? The fastest way to ruin a vacation is for something bad to happen to your pooch. Also, how flexible are your plans? Can you change them if the worst happens?
- Does your budget accommodate pet fees? If you’re planning to vacation with your pup, you must consider the additional expenses that you will incur. For instance, airplane fees and hotel fees can be quite expensive. Therefore, you may be better off financially to leave your dog with a sitter or dog hotel.
What You’ll Need to Vacation With Your Dog
If you do decide to take your dog on vacation, there are a number of things you’ll need to bring.
- For legal and recovery reasons (if your dog gets lost), your dog must have proper identification while you travel. For starters, make sure they have a sturdy leash and collar. The collar should include a tag with your dog’s name, your phone number, and proof of rabies shots. You might also want to invest in a microchip. Lastly, you should carry a recent picture of a dog with you and a copy of his health records, including all his recent vaccinations.
- A Crate. Crates help keep your pup safe in the car, and they are required for airplane travel. It can also keep your pooch from getting into trouble in a hotel or a host’s home.
- Food and Water. To keep your dog healthy, you’ll need to bring a supply of his regular food. The last thing you want to do is introduce your dog to new food during your trip. This could severely upset their digestion and cause you problems.
- Games and Toys. Just like you, dogs like to be active and occupied. To make sure your dog doesn’t suffer ennui, bring along some toys, including a puzzle-type toy.
- Wee-Wee Pads. In case your pup gets jittery while traveling, you may want to have him sit on wee-wee pads. A wee-wee pad is like a diaper, it absorbs urine and feces. This will ensure that he doesn’t cost you cleanup fees.