Tips for Vacationing with a Dog

Dog Behavior

Dog Ready For Vacation

When planning for a vacation, it’s typical to create an itinerary and make a packing checklist for ourselves ahead of time. And when traveling with our furry friends, we need to do the same for them.
We’ve put together this guide to help make sure your pet’s needs are met while on vacation. We cover what questions to ask yourself before bringing your dog on vacation and what to pack if your dog joins you on your adventure.

Should I Bring My Dog On Vacation?

Before jumping into the car or plane with your pet, it’s important to ask yourself a few questions to determine if your dog is vacation-ready.

Questions to Answer Before Bringing Your Dog on Vacation

1. How well trained is your dog?
They need to be able to follow basic commands and be socialized around people and other animals. If not, they will likely have a hard time adapting to a new, strange environment. Moreover, they’ll quickly become a nuisance in crowded areas like airports and hotel lobbies.

2. What is the size of your dog?
While dogs of any size can usually be accommodated during car rides, larger dogs are often less manageable on planes. Most airlines only allow dogs to fly in the cabin if they can fit in a small carrier under the seat in front of you or in your lap. Otherwise, they will have to fly in the cargo hold with luggage, which most pet owners do not find desirable. If planning to fly with your pet, be sure to check with your airline to learn about their rules and regulations. There may even be paperwork you need to complete before flying.

3. How old is your dog?
Puppies are notoriously bad travelers as they aren’t housebroken and require much more active attention. Elderly dogs with decreased mobility, sight or hearing may have a hard time adjusting to a new location. On the other hand, some elderly dogs simply enjoy being with their humans, no matter the place.

4. Is your vacation destination dog-friendly?
Not only should your lodging accommodate pets, but your daily excursions should also account for and be welcoming to your dog. Keeping them pent up in an unfamiliar hotel room for multiple days is a recipe for disaster.

If you’re on vacation, that means your dog is too, which means they’ll want to have fun with you! If your furry friend does accompany you on your trip, be sure to research pet-friendly places like restaurants, dog parks and hiking trails beforehand so that you have a few places you can venture together.

5. Is your dog medically prepared for travel?
Always consult with your veterinarian before pet-related decisions. They know your dog’s health and history best and will let you know if your dog is ready for travel.

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What to Pack for Traveling with Your Dog

If you’re bringing your furry friend on your trip, you need to pack for them too! Make sure to prepare for a variety of situations; it’s better to overpack for your pet than to leave something behind.

Here’s an all-encompassing pet travel checklist:

– Contact information for your pet’s veterinarian
– Contact information for local vets within the area that you’re traveling
– An up-to-date copy of your pet’s vaccine record
– Pet’s medications (if applicable)
– First-aid kit with gauze, non-stick bandages and adhesive medical tape
– Updated I.D. tags on your dog’s collar
– Location-tracking GPS technology (collar, tag, etc.)
– Doggie seatbelt and harness
– Food
– Treats
– Water
– Washable, collapsible bowls
– Leash
– Collar
– Walking harness
– Poop bags
– Bedding
– Blankets
– Towels
– Dog shampoo
– Brush
– Nail trimmers
– Toys
– Paw booties

Always remember to pack for your specific destination. For example, if you’re traveling to a colder climate, be sure to pack sweaters or jackets for your dog if they need the extra layers. If you’ll be swimming on vacation, pack a doggie life vest and water toys. And always pack items that’ll make your pet feel at home.

At Pet Butler, we want your dog to live their best life and enjoy the time they spend with their humans. Use your free time to do things like travel and adventure with your pup, and leave the dirty work to us. We’ll scoop your pet’s poop on a regular basis, so you don’t have to. Learn about our pet waste removal services and more.

Tips for Traveling with Your Pet

Dog Behavior

dogs car traveling

Whether visiting your favorite beach during the winter or spending a long weekend with family on the coast, there’s always a reason to take a trip away from home. But what do we do as pet owners when spending time abroad? As hard as it is to leave them indoors, oftentimes it’s easiest to get a pet sitter or to drop them at a friend’s house. Frankly, that’s usually the best option, too. But what about when we really want them to come along for the ride? Here’s some tips for traveling with a pet.

1. Is Your Dog Fit to Travel?

If your dog gets car-sick or plane-sick, probably leave them at home. If they don’t respond well to new situations or environments – especially if they have anxiety or need more socializing – probably leave them at home. If they’re sick, too old or too young, or aren’t sufficiently trained, the better option would be to leave your dog at home and under the care of a pet sitter. In any of these scenarios, unless the trip is thoroughly planned for dog inclusion, it’s usually best to give them adequate temporary care and let them be comfortable in their regular surroundings. Most dogs are happier that way, anyway.

2. Is the Trip Right for Your Dog?

Dogs need attention and care throughout the day, even on vacation. If your schedule is full of activity and you can’t address their needs – playing, exercising, feeding, and eliminating – then you shouldn’t bring them along. Similarly, if parts of the journey are too taxing on your pet, whether it be the climate, travel time, or other factor, maybe think again.

3. Prepare Them for The Journey!

After the details above are fully considered, take them on a few short car rides as practice. Most pets have little or no experience with cars or planes, so giving them some experience with moving vehicles is always a positive.

4. Decide How You Want to Travel

As a rule of thumb, cars are the best.

Car Travel

If you take your dog in a car, you can secure them with a harness, seat-belt, or carrier. The more restrictive the better: it’s safer for them to be in a smaller space where they can’t hurt themselves, and it’s also easier for you to control. Thus, carriers are the preferred option. Regardless of the system you choose, make sure that they sit in the backseat and keep their head inside. Once again, this is for safety. Airbags can be dangerous for dogs in the front seat, and flying debris and forced cold air can hurt them through the window. Other rules for car travel include…

  • Stopping every couple of hours for a bathroom and stretch break
  • Using a collar and leash at all times, even when in the car
  • Never leaving your dog in the car unattended
  • Never putting your dog in the back of a pickup truck
  • Using rubber liners and waterproof seat covers when your dog is inside the car

dog in car

Plane Travel

For planes, there are a lot of uncontrollable factors. The most important tip for air travel with your pup is to call ahead.

  • Figure out if the airline allows them in the cabin – which is always preferable to the cargo hold – and if they need to pass extra security measures.
  • Prepare for a carrier scan and questions about immunizations.
  • Tell the pilot about your pet if possible; he/she might have additional precautionary procedures.
  • Feeding dogs on the plane should be avoided entirely, and don’t feed them within 4-6 hours of the flight.
  • Clip your dog’s nails and secure their collar so nothing can be snagged in the cargo hold (or onboard, both can result in problems).
  • Brachycephalic dogs should never be taken on a plane for respiratory complications.
  • Tranquilizers should never be used unless with veterinary prescription.
  • Above all, stay informed.

For all these concerns, which are just the tip of the iceberg, airplanes are riskier and more unsafe.

dog carrier

Other Forms of Travel with Your Pet

If you take them on a train or by boat, use similar logic. The carrier is king, and safety is number one priority. Call the railway or boat company to better understand their pet requirements. Satisfying their needs will result in happier travels for everyone.

5. Prepare Yourself

Bring your dog’s toys, food, water bowl, treats, brush, medicine, waste scooper, and baggies. The more objects you have from home, the more comfortable your dog will be on the road. It’s all about establishing a good atmosphere when experiencing new places or events. A favorite blanket or toy can be particularly calming for your pet. And bringing all of these supplies will make their care much easier. Some uncommon items you should bring include a first aid kit, bottled water, and their rabies records as well.

With these suggestions in mind, make the best decisions about traveling with your buddy. Make sure they’re microchipped in case of the worst and above all have fun!

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