Traveling with Your Pet Without the Stress

By Jessica Brody of OurBestfriends.pet

Traveling with your dog often takes a lot of planning, but when a pet feels like an extension of the family, it can be important to include them no matter what you’re doing or where you’re going. Making sure your dog is safe and comfortable throughout the trip is crucial, but it can be stressful to keep their needs in mind when you’re away from home and off your regular schedule. Fortunately, if you begin planning early for your trip, there are many things you can do to keep your four-legged friend happy and still have fun yourself.

Start by doing some scouting online for pet-friendly accommodations, and think about what will make you and your pet most comfortable during your stay. For instance, you may find a hotel with great rates that allows animals, but if you’re going to be going out a lot during your trip, he may become anxious and bark, which won’t be appreciated by your neighbors. Renting a vacation home is an option, but you’ll need to make sure the owners allow pets. Look specifically at breed and size restrictions; knowing what to look for in accommodations is key.

Here are a few tips on how to avoid problems when traveling with your pet

Use Groupon Coupons to Find a Place to Stay

Finding the right accommodations for your needs can be tricky when you’re bringing a pet along, so it’s important to get started as early as possible. Look online for pet-friendly hotels and vacation homes, and make sure your pet’s specific breed is acceptable. If you’re going to be staying in the same spot for the duration of your trip, you should also look for pet-friendly restaurants and activities nearby so you won’t have to leave your dog behind when you go out. You can save quite a bit of money by looking for discounts, promos, and offers such as Groupon promo codes on both your accommodations and events, so do some research before you leave.

Plan Ahead

It’s never easy to foresee potential problems when you’re traveling with a pet, but you know him better than anyone. If he tends to get anxious in the car or when you’re separated, look for ways you can bring him along when you go out. Keep plastic clean-up bags with you so you’ll be prepared when he’s ready to go for a walk, and try to maintain your normal schedule to minimize confusion and keep him comfortable and happy. Bring his favorite toys and make sure his regular food and treats are accessible so he’ll have some familiar things while he’s away from home.

Give Him Lots of Exercise

Dogs need lots of time to run and play, so look for a park or pet-friendly beach that’s close to where you’re staying. Get active with him by looking for a local yoga class; just make sure you prepare well so he can stay hydrated, especially when exercising in hot weather. The more you allow him to exercise and burn off excess energy, the easier it will be for him to relax, and it may help to prevent destructive behaviors that can come about due to anxiety or stress. It will also help him sleep at night, which will, in turn, help you!

Keep Him Safe During Travel

It’s imperative that you keep your dog safe during the trip, whether you’re flying or driving to your destination. For shorter road trips, it’s probably okay to use a seat belt harness for your pup to keep him in place, but longer trips and flights will require a crate to keep him safe. Make sure you understand the airline’s policy on flying with pets and find out what their fees are. Having the right crate is important, so make sure you have what you need before you leave.

Traveling with your pet can be a lot of fun for both of you if you’re well-prepared. Taking steps to keep him safe and happy will reduce stress for both you and your pet and help him learn to love taking trips, so do some research to make sure things will go smoothly for the duration.

NOTE FROM PET PARENTS PLACE:

We loved all the great tips in this article – so many good things to know before you go on the road with your pet.  We would also like to remind everyone to be sure and microchip from the beginning of your friendship with your pet, but certainly before you travel with them.  Check out our article about mircrochipping.

Photo via Pixabay

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