Are you wanting to take the family dog on vacation while traveling this year, but unsure of whether that’s a good idea? Do you want to find a way to safely transport your pet with you to another country? If so, then you need to research how to vacation with pets.
Doing so can turn your dreams into reality. You can have a relaxing vacay and spends some quality time chilling out with your family dog. All you need to do is the plan.
See below for an in-depth guide on how to travel with pets, what the best course of action is for doing so, and how to find the ideal vacation rentals with pets.
1. Safely Arrange Your Pet’s Travel
Many people will tell you that flying with a dog is the safest way to travel with them, but that’s not necessarily true. It’s better to have pre-arranged plans that are dedicated to keeping your pet as safe and secure as possible to your destination.
For that reason, you should consider pet transport. This article outlines all of the requirements to make that transition as smooth as possible, especially if you’re flying from the United States to Columbia.
In order to travel to Columbia, you will need to get a USDA health certificate, as well as provide their rabies vaccinations and certificate.
Be sure to choose a reputable pet transportation agent. This can help give you more peace of mind while you travel. They can help you make the proper arrangements, organize the proper paperwork, and keep your travels as uncomplicated as possible.
They can also make any other accommodations as necessary. For example, if your pet is a bit higher maintenance, they can provide a bit more attention to detail to ensure that the pet remains as calm and peaceful as possible.
2. Gather the Essential Items
Before taking off with Fido to your next destination, it’s important to remember all of the essentials you’ll need for the trip. Looking into pet insurance costs and benefits is an excellent start. The following tips will help you plan your trip whether you decide to fly or drive.
First, don’t forget daily items such as the pet’s food and water bowl, treats, food, one or two toys, a leash, harness (if necessary), their collar, and tags with any contact information to get in touch with you.
You might also consider things like a towel or two for the beach, a blanket for their bed at night, their actual bed (if it’s transportable), their crates, a brush, and some dog nail clippers (depending on how long you plan to stay).
Try to put yourself in your pup’s paws. No one knows your dog better than you. What would be their ideal vacation? Is there a favorite toy that needs to come? Is there a crate that will make them more comfortable in an unfamiliar environment?
However, also remember not to stress too much. They just want to spend as much time with you as possible. As long as you’re on the beach, mountain, etc. with them, that’s the perfect vacation in their eyes!
3. Find Vacation Rentals With Pets Allowed
Imagine the horror of getting on a plane, meeting up with your dog after they’ve gone through pet transport, then finding out the place you reserved isn’t dog-friendly.
Fortunately, you can avoid this by planning ahead of time. If you plan to use a trip advisor, then they’ll be happy to accommodate and find places that are pet-friendly, as well as meet your other preferences.
If you’re wanting to save costs and plan the trip yourself, then there are several sites you can use to filter down to pet-friendly-only options.
Contrary to popular belief, this won’t limit your options too much. Many rental owners are aware of travelers’ interests in bringing their furry friend. In order to gain access to a higher consumer base, they’re happy to accommodate pets as well.
Make sure to check and see if there is a pet fee. If there is, ask whether the fee is refundable or not.
4. Planning the Trip
For some of you, this might be the most difficult part. If you like to spend your vacation site seeing and going from place to place, you’ll want to plan ahead.
Make sure to check whether the places you’re wanting to go to are pet-friendly. If not, you might have to schedule to see certain things on different days to make sure your pup isn’t in their crate for too long.
Having a puppy won’t damage your trip. You’ll still find time to knock off all the items and sites you’d like to see, even if they aren’t puppy-friendly. All it takes is a bit of scheduling ahead of time.
5. Think of Your Pet’s Health
No matter what you do, you want to make sure you aren’t sacrificing the quality of the dog’s nutrition in the process. They might be along for the ride, but they still need as much of a routine as possible.
Try to give them the same food that you normally would. Stock up on the treats that you usually use to reward them. Think about their normal routine as much as possible.
For example, if you usually try to take them for a walk in the morning, try to do the same during your trip. The closer to their routine you can be, the more comfortable they will be.
Vacation With Pets: Use These Tips for a Successful Trip
Now that you have seen all of the different ways you can plan a vacation with pets and still have a fully enjoyable trip, be sure to use them to your advantage.
Plan things out. Think about ways you can combine the pet’s usual routine with your vacation plans.
Be sure to browse our website for more articles on vacationing with pets, as well as many other helpful topics that you will enjoy reading.
