Jenn Lee

Post Date: Jun 25, 2021

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Tips for Taking Your Dog on Family Vacation

Your dog is a member of the family. There’s no better companion and no one more loyal. 

This means, instead of leaving your dog at home, you should take him on your family vacation. Here’s what you’ll need to think about to make a vacation with the family dog a reality. 

Getting to Your Destination

First, think about transportation. How are you going to get to your vacation destination this year? Driving is the obvious option. Bringing the dog in the car can be much easier than working out the logistics of flying. 

No matter how you’re getting there, make sure your dog is travel-ready. If your dog becomes anxious on trips or when being away from home, you may need to work with your vet on managing that anxiety. You won’t want your pet to be in discomfort the entire journey, after all. You want them to enjoy the trip as much as you will. You’re more likely to enjoy it if your pup isn’t stressed and creating extra hassle. 

Driving with Your Pup

If you’re driving, make sure your dog is road trip-ready. Think about things like how long the car ride is and if the pup has recently been on a ride that long. Most dogs will take extended naps, but you’ll still need to stop regularly along the way for short walks and bathroom breaks. Be on the lookout for rest stops that make this easy. 

When driving, it’s pretty easy to pack some cheap backpacks with all the necessary supplies for the road. You’ll need  a water bowl, food bowl, enough food for the trip, leash, harness and treats. Make sure your pup has a blanket and room to be comfortable. Consider a doggy seatbelt as well. 

Flying with Your Doggo

Though it can be logistically challenging, generally there’s a way to take your dog with you on the flight. Though restrictions vary by airline, many will check your pets. Depending on the size and breed, some pups can be taken as carry ons. 

Airlines also restrict things like the total number of animals on each flight. You should also expect to pay a fee. Fees can vary from $75 to $200. You’ll also need to work with a vet  to make sure your dog is plane-ready and a sedative for the flight may be in order if you’re planning on checking your dog. 

Also make sure you’re looking for straight through flights. You don’t want the added stress of having your pup moved from one plane to the next. Plus, adding an extra airport in the mix makes it even harder to make sure the weather is okay when your dog is on the ground outside the plane. 

Finding Pet-Friendly Destinations

Whether you’re driving or flying, you need to consider if where you’re headed is pet-friendly. Many hotels offer pet-friendly options, but only for certain sizes and breeds. If you’ve rented a house or apartment, check with the hosts to see if they’re okay with you bringing your pet. Many rental sites outline whether it’s okay. 

In addition to the hotel, you’ll also want to know if there will be activities you can do with your dog. Is the city welcoming to pets? Can you take him to the local restaurant or coffee shops? Consider whether there are parks or trails nearby to enjoy with your pup.

If you’re hiking or headed to the beach, check restrictions for dogs as well. Even if every location isn’t pet-friendly, it can be relatively easy to find a place that has pet-friendly options nearby. Also check leash restrictions. Some places allow dogs off-leash and some do not. 

You’ll also want to think about what stores and resources are nearby. You may need to purchase dog food or treats. Make sure there’s a vet nearby in case you have an emergency as well.

It can be challenging to work out the details, but bringing your family dog on vacation this year will be a reward that is worth the challenge.


Jun 25, 2021

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