By Guest Author: Nick Burton
When you’ve opened your heart to a dog, it’s hard to imagine leaving your pup behind as you set off to explore a new city, state, or country. You may worry about whether your dog will be in good hands while you’re away, or you may simply miss the feeling of companionship your pup provides. To experience the many great benefits of traveling with a dog, however, you need to plan the trip down to every small detail—everything from where you’ll eat and sleep to how you’ll use a public restroom once you reach your destination. For some travel tips that will help you to plan an exciting, problem-free trip with your pup, without the need for spending a great deal of money, read on!
1. Choose a Dog-Friendly Destination Once you’ve decided that you’d like to take your pup along on your next trip, you’ll need to make sure that you’re visiting a dog-friendly travel destination. According to SmartAsset, some top dog-friendly U.S. cities include Las Vegas, San Francisco, Denver, and San Diego. San Francisco, for instance, is home to approximately 179 dog-friendly restaurants and four shopping centers that welcome canines. However, smartphone apps are also available for download to make traveling with a pup even easier.
2. Carefully Consider Your Accommodations In addition to choosing a pup-friendly travel destination, you’ll need to look for affordable hotels, campgrounds, or other accommodations that welcome dogs. While some budget-friendly hotel chains such as La Quinta Hotels, Red Roof Inns, and Motel 6 permit dogs and will even let your pup stay for free, specific pet policies vary by location. As such, it’s important to contact the hotel before booking your stay if you’re unsure about its dog policy or whether you’ll need to pay an added fee.
3. Find the Right Travel Gear for Your Pup To ensure that your pup has everything he or she needs to stay happy, safe, hydrated, and fed as you travel together, remember to purchase the right gear before setting off on your trip. When traveling with a pup, Allianz recommends bringing along the following essentials:
Portable dishes for food and water
Extra collars and leashes
Bottled water, treats, and pre-measured food
A comfortable travel carrier and bed
Chew toys
To save money on your pup’s new travel gear, shop online through pet-friendly retailers and look for discount codes and coupons before placing your order. Websites like Rakuten provide a collection of deals you can choose from while shopping.
4. Research Local Dog Policies Before setting off to your destination, you’ll also need to familiarize yourself with the dog and pet policies for the U.S. city or foreign country you’ll be visiting. Through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), you can obtain specific information about importing and exporting pets between foreign countries and U.S. states—but you’ll also want to contact a representative at your airline to see if there are any additional rules you’ll need to follow. Depending on where you’ll be traveling, the U.S. city or foreign country may require your dog to be microchipped and vaccinated prior to arrival. As proof of your dog’s good health, you may need to obtain a medical certificate from a licensed veterinarian as well.
5. Plan Bathroom Breaks In addition to ensuring that your dog gets plenty of bathroom breaks, you’ll need to pre-plan your trips to public restrooms—which may be slightly more complicated if you’re traveling alone. A portable toilet can come in handy if you’ll be camping or hiking with your pup, or you can look for dog-friendly establishments that have public restrooms. Several options include Petco, Home Depot, Lowes, Petsmart, and local veterinary offices.
6. Travel is Better with a Pup
Traveling with a dog can be an incredibly unique and enjoyable experience, but it can also lead to loads of complications and added stress if you’re not prepared. However, searching for affordable pet-friendly accommodations, researching the local area prior to your arrival, and packing everything your pup will need during your travels will keep your dog happy and safe as you explore the world around you with your best friend.
Have more questions about raveling with your dog, or are you interested in booking a dog-friendly trip? Contact me today and let’s begin planning.
Do you have additional tips for traveling with a pet? If so, please post in the comments below.