Take Spot with You on Vacation

When you’re going on a family vacation, you want to bring the whole family. If you have pets, that includes them. But until the last few years, that’s been all but impossible. You can take them camping and you might be able to rent a cabin or a private home where you could bring a dog or cat. Most hotels and motels, though, simply wouldn’t allow it and if you wanted to fly somewhere, you could only take a “companion” dog. For pet lovers across the United States, that’s rapidly changing.

Places Where Fido Can Stay with You

It’s important to remember that property owners have the right to prohibit domestic animals on their property. Interestingly, though it might seem that you’d be more likely to find a “vacation rental by owner” or timeshare that will allow your pet, the reality is that hotels and motels are currently more pet-friendly than vacation rentals. According to the American Kennel Club, about three of every four luxury, mid-priced and economy hotels and motels now permit guests to bring pets into their rooms, though almost always for an additional fee. Furthermore, those hotels typically label rooms as “pet-friendly” or “pet-free,” as some guests may have allergies.

Vacation rental owners have been much slower to allow guests to bring pets. Overall, statistics show that about 25% of all vacation rentals permit dogs or cats, and less than 10% of all Airbnb properties are pet-friendly. As a general rule, though, you can filter a search to show only those accommodations that permit pets.

Taking Rover On the Plane

It’s also becoming more acceptable to take a dog or cat on a plane. There are customarily size limits, and there’s typically an additional fee. It’s wise to contact the airlines in advance, so that you can ask any necessary questions and meet the guidelines.

Things to Bring Along with Your Pet

Dogs and cats can be creatures of habit, so traveling can be stressful for them. There are ways, though, that you can help them relax and enjoy the vacation:

  • Bring a blanket that has the smells of home. If possible, bring the dog’s bed.
  • Chew toys and rawhides can ease a dog’s fears and help pass the time on the road
  • You’ll want a leash and will want to attach it whenever your dog leaves the car. Your dog may generally be a homebody, but may take off running in unfamiliar territory
  • Always have plenty of potty bags, so that you can clean up after your dog
Wordpress Popup Plugin Free