Dogs are a cherished member of many families (and some may even prefer them to human members!), so it’s only natural that you would want to take them on holiday with you. Leaving them behind can seem unfair and put a dampener on your holiday; it’s normal to miss your pets when you’re away, so why not bring them with you? Fortunately, it’s now easier than ever to bring your dog on holiday with you as a lot of places offer dog-friendly accommodation.
So, if you’re considering treating your dog to the holiday of a lifetime, we’ve compiled a list of top tips for taking your dog on holiday too!
Before You Go
Before you travel with your canine companion, there are a few things to consider…
1. Consider the Needs of your Dog
Choosing the right place to stay for you should be important, as it should be for anyone else who is travelling with you. However, you should also give some thought to how suitable it is for the needs of your pooch too. Many websites say that they allow dogs, but you shouldn’t accept it as the full truth; always call ahead before any booking and confirm that their pet policy has not been changed (updating a website isn’t at the top of everyone’s list).
You should also ask questions that might relate to your dog if they have any specific needs. This is your chance to ensure that they are able to cater to the needs of your pet if necessary and welcome your animals with open arms. If you are taking more than one dog, you should also check if they allow multiple dogs per booking.
2. Visit the Vet
You should book your pet in to see the vet for a health check-up at least once a year. Arranging a trip to the vet before your trip is vital as your dog may come into contact with other animals that could potentially carry things like fleas, worms or ticks. By making sure that your dog is up to date with its flea treatment, you can help to keep them happy and healthy. Also, if your canine isn’t already microchipped, it might be worth having that done at the same time. When you are travelling and are in a new area, it’s very easy for a dog to get lost and having it microchipped will help you to find it if the worst does happen.
3. Plan For Emergencies, just in case!
Just like you should when travelling without your pet, you should plan for all emergencies with them. We understand that it may not be nice to think of this, but it’s certainly naïve to assume that everything will be okay when you are on holiday. After all, accidents can happen so it’s always better to be prepared than not! By planning for every emergency possible, you will be better equipped to deal with the situation if an incident arises. You should know where all of the nearest vets are to your holiday destination and it may be a good idea to print off the directions and keep them in the car; depending on where you are, there may not be very good mobile phone reception and you may not be able to get digital directions..
4. List Essential Items
Before you take your dog on holiday with you, we recommend making a list of the essential items that both you and your dog may need to guarantee that the trip is as safe and fun as possible for everyone involved. There are a lot of dog accessories out there that can help to make your trip easier so you should definitely do some research and look into things that can help. Some of the essential items include:
- A food and water bowl
- A leash and collar
- ID tags
- Waste bags
- A dog bed
- Towels
- Shampoo and other bathing products
During Your Holiday
During your holiday, there are many things that you should consider, including:
5. Settling Your Dog In
A new environment can sometimes be hard for your dog to get used to, so we recommend taking your dog for a long walk after you arrive to help them get accustomed to their new surroundings. A long car journey can also cause your dog stress, so a calm walk can help them relax and tire them out. You should also avoid leaving your dog alone for too long, as this can unsettle them even more. When stressed, a dog can act out and can often scratch and destroy furniture, which could be costly if you’re staying in pet-friendly accommodation!
6. Keep To Your Routine
Although you are on holiday, you shouldn’t completely change your routine. More often than not, dogs will adapt quickly to new surroundings but it’s not always the case; so if you are taking your dog on holiday with you for the very first time, you should watch them and monitor any behavioural changes.
Keeping to your routine will help to instill a little bit of ‘home’ into your pooch’s daily life when on holiday, which can ensure that they keep calm and have a great time with you! You can keep meal times as close as possible to what they are at home, for example.
7. Be Vigilant About Safety
When you’ve had time to unpack and your dog has fully acclimatised to their new environment, it’s very easy to switch off and not notice the potential dangers to your dog. Be careful when walking in areas that you don’t know very well, or where there are hazards including cliff edges, busy roads and being around other animals. Your dog’s attitude towards other dogs is a good indicator of when to keep them on their lead and when to remove them and let them run free.
If you are interested in travelling to Meadow Lakes with your canine, we would be more than happy to have you! All dogs are welcome in our luxury pet-friendly accommodation and we will even provide your dog with a blanket, food bowl and their own treat basket (filled with yummy dog treats!). Please feel free to contact our team if you have any questions about our pet-friendly accommodation in Cornwall.
Don’t forget to take a look at our special offers too to save on your pet friendly holiday in Cornwall!