Taking your pet along on vacation can be intimidating. Traveling to your destination, sorting out where you’ll stay, and figuring out where your four-legged friend is allowed is quite a task. In fact, it can be so daunting that you might opt to leave your pet at home.
While that’s the right choice for some, if your idea of a dream vacation includes your fur-covered best friend, we want to help you! Making a pet-friendly itinerary to include your family pet isn’t as hard as it may seem. Here are a few tips to help you as you begin!
Know Before You Go
When traveling with a pet, the itinerary starts before you hit the road! You’ll want to make sure your best bud gets a full check-up from your veterinarian, and get them up-to-date on all their vaccinations. Make sure you’re following your vet’s recommendations as far as flea and tick prevention – the last thing you want is a car or bedroom full of pests! Before you travel, look up vets, including emergency pet care, at your destination.
Decide What Travel Will Look Like
Will you drive to fly to your destination? If you fly, make sure to look up your airline’s pet policies before booking anything. The last thing you want is to realize that your pet won’t be able to join you, or that it will be prohibitively expensive to bring them along.
If you are driving, you’ll want to consider how your companion will travel in comfort and safety. A crate is a great way for pets to travel in the car, but you’ll want to make sure to get them accustomed to it before you hit the road.
Your road trip with your pet should include rest stops for them to stretch their legs and relieve themselves. A quick running game outside can keep your pet happily sleeping for the next few hours in your vehicle. You will also want to plan how you’ll eat on the road – leaving your pet in a hot car while you enjoy a leisurely meal in a restaurant is a no-go. Think about going picnic style, or stopping at places with outdoor dining where your friend can join you for a stretch in the sun.
Be Strategic About Your Plans
If you have an athletic pet that can’t get enough of swimming, hiking, and running, your itinerary will look very different than if you have a pet that wants to snooze on the couch all day. Many destinations, such as national parks, offer plenty of wonderful activities your pet can join you on. When you’ve got plans for the day that don’t include your pet, be sure to either work breaks into your day to spend some time with your furry friend or look up local pet walkers or pet-sitters that can keep your buddy company while you’re out on an adventure.