Vacationing to your most anticipated spot can be an experience to remember for a lifetime. But planning for the said vacation comes with challenges, especially when you are not traveling alone. Traveling with family can make your trip a thousand times more fun, but there is a lot that you may need to consider. If your family includes a pet or two, the planning and considerations can drag on for a long while.
Taking your pet with you for a vacation can make your experience even more special, but only if you have thought and prepared for everything beforehand. Planning everything with your pet in tow can be difficult, so we have listed some ways you can make your vacation pet-friendly. Be sure to follow our tips to make your trip less stressful and more fun.
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1. Find pet-friendly accommodations
Imagine this: you traveled with your pet for hours and hours to visit the Great Smoky Mountains. You are tired, your pet is cranky, and at this point, you are ready to hit the bed. You reach the hotel you booked the room at only to find out your pet is not allowed entry.
Not planning accommodations while keeping pets in mind might be the most common rookie mistake many pet owners make, especially when it is their first time vacationing with pets. Research thoroughly regarding the pet policies of every possible accommodation before you go ahead with your booking. Knowing whether pets are allowed in a hotel is nearly not enough information. You will need to be informed about their breed restrictions, weight restrictions, and the number of pets they allow per guest.
Looking for hotels that offer the best pet perks may make your vacation even more fun and relaxed. For those striking off visiting the Smoky Mountains off their bucket list next vacation, try out pet friendly cabins in Gatlinburg for a worthwhile experience. Similarly, run a localized Google search for pet-friendly accommodations before booking a place to stay where ever you're headed.
2. Make safe travel arrangements
Choose your vacation place and style of travel according to your pet's behavior and temperament. Can you manage them throughout the plane journey halfway across the world? Or would it be better to drive on the road to another state? Choosing between the two is your decision to make.
If your pet has had experience traveling with you on the road, it may be easier to manage them in the car. However, it is advisable to keep them in a carrier. While leaving them room to roam around the vehicle may be an enjoyable prospect, it is far from safe. Without the carrier to offer them security, your pet may get hurt while traveling. If your pet is too big for a crate, harness it on its seats to avoid injuries.
As for airplane travelers, every airline has its own rules and policies regarding pet carriers, such as their size, weight, and material. You may need to research thoroughly and plan to fly with your pet accordingly.
3. Take your pet to the vet beforehand
You may be required to show your pet's health certificate when traveling to another state or country. It is best to be prepared and keep all the health-related paperwork necessary to make travel as smooth as possible.
Get your pet vaccinated if you haven't already, and get it tested for all possible diseases before leaving for your vacation. You don't want to get stuck in an unfamiliar place with a sick pet to take care of- that does not seem like an ideal vacation.
Ensuring your pet is healthy is essential to keep it safe throughout the journey and prevent any unfortunate events during the trip. In case of unfortunate accidents, having a first kit aid ready for use will be extremely helpful. Life is unpredictable, and while we do not mean to scare you, traveling with pets comes with risks. Therefore, double-check your pet's medicines and emergency kit to be safe than sorry.
4. Consider microchipping your pet
It may be painful to imagine, but getting separated from your pet during your vacation is not an unlikely event. To ensure you can find your pet in such emergencies, prepare your pet's ID and implant a chip if possible. Losing your pet in an unfamiliar place may be the worst nightmare ever for any pet owner. Therefore, make all the preparations necessary for such a situation so you can find your pet easily without much trouble.
First and foremost, make a collar for your pet and attach your name and contact information to it. Doing so would make it easier for the person who finds your dog to reach you. If you feel comfortable implanting a microchip under your pet's skin, arrange it before leaving. A chip will make your pet traceable wherever they may be, making it easier to find and bring them back.
5. Keep an extra stash of your pet's food
Many pets do not feel comfortable changing their diet. It is possible for your cat or dog's food to not be available at the local stores of your vacation place. Even if it is the same treat from a different brand, likely, your pet may not like it and refuse to eat it.
Ending up with a pet that refuses to eat anything you offer can be frustrating. To avoid such situations, you will be better off with an extra stash of pet food. A fed pet is happier than the hungry one, and a happy pet means an enjoyable vacation for everyone.
6. Be flexible with your plans
Pet owners know very well that following a schedule can become challenging when pets are involved. From ensuring they are hydrated, fed, and in the mood, you will likely end up running late to many pre-planned activities. Therefore, you will be better off freeing up space between activities in your travel itinerary.
It is not like you can reason with your pet and teach them the importance of time management when getting them ready for a day out. Hence, making a flexible schedule is the only way to save your vacation plans from spiraling.
Conclusion
If you own a pet, you may feel tempted to take your pet along with you wherever you go. The comfort of having your non-human companion around you is unmeasurable, so the need to take your pet with you on vacation is understandable. However, it is best to judge whether your pet is in a condition to travel before you make your arrangements. Aside from medical conditions, some pets are hard to manage in unfamiliar settings and prefer to stay at home. While it may be hard to separate from your pet, if it is best to leave it at home, you may have to say goodbye for a few weeks. The whole point of vacations is to have a joyful time, so remember to have fun with or without your pet.
