Leaving your pets behind at home while going on a vacation is always not a good experience. So why not bring them along on your next road-trip or a short vacation? But, bringing a pet along on vacation isn’t an easy task. You need to pay attention to their needs, which requires extra planning and few additional considerations.
To make your next vacation with your pet a delightful experience, we have provided some pet-friendly vacation tips. Read along to have a purr-fect vacation with your four-legged friend.
Check your pet’s health
It is a good idea to check your pet’s health by consulting with a vet before embarking on a vacation. The vet will carry out a complete health check-up and confirm if your pet is in perfect health to go on a trip. If they diagnose any issue, they will advise you on the appropriate measures you will need. They might even recommend giving your pets additional vaccinations depending upon your vacation destination.
In rare cases, the vet may even suggest you leave your furry friend at home or board them at an animal care facility while you are on vacation.
Decide the mode of travel
Depending upon various factors like your vacation destination, the travel time required, and your pet’s temperament, you will need to decide how the style of travel. Since you know your pet the best, you can decide whether to take them on a car trip or whether they will be comfortable with air travel.
If you decide to travel by road, you can either carry them in your own vehicle. If there are issues regarding carrying your pet along, you can hire professional pet transport services provider by comparing various pet ground transport prices and deciding the one that suits you the best.
Carry essential pet items
Make a list of all the items you will need to carry for your pet to make the vacation stress-free and enjoyable. Some essential items that you will definitely need to carry include:
- Leash
- Disposable food plates
- Toys
- Your pet’s collar and tags
- Pet food
- Grooming supplies
- Waste bags
- Treats
In addition to these items, you might also need to carry a blanket, bed, and other items such as medicines that your pet might require. Some places also require owners to carry vaccination records of animals and, hence, you should carry them if required.
Deciding the accommodation
Deciding on where you’ll stay is highly important if you have a pet along with you. But, when you travel with a pet, your accommodation options get limited. Not every Airbnb or hotel allows pets. Similarly, there are restrictions on the type of pet, including the pet breed, that you are tagging along. Some questions that you need to ask yourself before choosing a place to stay on your vacation are:
- Is the place pet-friendly?
- What kind of animals are allowed?
- Is there an additional charge for bringing a pet?
- What are the documents required regarding the pet?
Choose a place that proves to be the best option for accommodating your pet.
Stock pet food
Naturally, your pet will get hungry during travel, especially if it is a long one. Similarly, they will be needed to be fed regularly during the vacation. Thus, you will need to carry adequate pet food along. The food should last the entirety of the vacation. Or else, you will need to stop and buy pet food multiple times during the trip, and you even run the risk of running out of it midway through the vacation, ruining your holidays.
Make sure you follow the same diet and feeding routine as you do at home. Making any changes to the diet or the schedule can cause issues with your pet’s digestive system. This, in turn, will spoil your vacation as you will be searching for a vet instead of enjoying yourself with your pet.
Don’t leave your pet alone
It is important to include your pet in your vacation as much as possible, especially if you are going out in a group. Don’t let your pet feel alone and neglected while you enjoy your vacation. Try to include them in various activities you will be carrying out or spots that you will be visiting, instead of keeping them locked in the car or hotel room.
We hope that the tips mentioned in this blog will help you better enjoy your next vacation with your pet. The most important thing is to take care of your pet on the same level as you would normally do at home, but making slight changes as per your vacation plan.