Helpful Dog Travel Hints
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A holiday with your dog can be a really fun time for both of you. But you will have to do a bit of forward planning.
You can start by doing your homework into what is required to take your dog to the countries you plan to visit. For some countries, these restrictions are severe. The UK for example enforces a 6 month quarantine on animals that are not on the PETS scheme.
But even relatively pet-friendly countries have regulations you'll need to comply with.
Then there's the accommodation issue. If you are planning on staying at a hotel or resort, you'll want to find a pet-friendly one at your destination and book early.
The good news is that more and more hotels are accepting pets these days.
Next up, there are travel arrangements to be made. If you'll be using air or rail travel, the best advice is to have a specialized pet travel company make the arrangements for you. Mistakes can be costly and even tragic, so don't take the chance.
If however, you are going to be traveling by car you can make the arrangements yourself, and there are quite a few things you'll have to take care of.
First up, you'll need to consider a dog carrier, or a special doggy seat belt to restrain your dog in the car. From a safety perspective this is a must, and in some countries it is even a legal requirement.
It is also important to remember that dogs become dehydrated quite easily. Take a water bowl and plenty of water along, and never leave your dog in a parked car, especially in warm weather.
Also, remember to pack leashes, harnesses, collars, toys, dog bed and anything else your dog will need.You'll also need to do some planning as to where you'll stop overnight, and find dog friendly accommodation there. And plan for regular stops so that your dog can stretch his legs and relieve himself.
But there is even more stuff to consider. At your destination, make sure that you buy a cheap dog tag, with your name and local number, for your dog. If you are traveling internationally your dog will have to be micro-chipped, but the id tag gives you extra peace of mind.
You should also carry a photograph of your dog with you, in case your dog gets lost.
Make a point of getting the number and location of a local vet. In a crisis, the last thing you want is to be doing is searching for this information.
Be sure to comply with local bi-laws and regulations. These will normally include keeping your dog on a leash and picking up after him. It’s common courtesy to do this anyway, even if there are no local laws in place.
At this point you're possibly thinking if all this work is worth it. For an enjoyable, stress-free vacation in the company of our best friend, I'd say it definitely is.
Read more about dog travel, facts about dogs, dog health and other interesting dog information at Dogs and Dog Training