Holiday trips should relax, recover and provide new freshness. Unfortunately, those who travel with their pets too often experience the opposite. This starts with the search for an animal-loving hostel, continues in a grueling journey and ends with the futile search for dog-friendly destinations at the resort. Anyone who follows a few recommendations, in the future goes with all the ease with a dog or cat in the well-deserved holidays.
Find pet-friendly accommodation
1. Four-legged friends in apartments and cottages often welcome
While in some hotels strict animal prohibition prevails, the nose is often seen in many holiday apartments and houses. Since there is usually more space there anyway and garden or terraces are available, the decision for such a domicile is not difficult.
2. Staying under the stars
Also on campsites, there are regulations on brought fur noses. Some do not, others do not, others have special areas for travelers with pets. For sensitive dogs and cats, holidays in a tent are of course too stressful. An alternative to bivouacs or caravans are mobile homes, where the furry family members may also rent depending on space regulations.
3. Club holiday with dog and cone
A hotel or resort vacation is not excluded for animal lovers. There are special search portals for those who want to travel with pets. There are only accommodations where pets are allowed. Alternatively, it is worthwhile to use holiday portals, which allow a search specifically for animal-loving holiday homes.
4. Four-legged friends always on vacation
For our Fifis, Bellos, and Wuffos the holiday home should be located so that always a small walk is possible or a dog lodge or place is accessible. Dog waste in the pool area or gardens is nowhere good. When vacationing on the beach or lake make sure that there are sections where dogs are allowed to be present.
5. Plan your journey flexibly
The shorter and less stressful the way, the more relaxing the holiday for our fur noses. The least exciting for them are road trips in the car. So that the kitties and puppies are not traveling sick, they drive sober. No food for a day is no problem for them. Cats, small dogs, and small animals must stay in a transport box while driving. Of larger caliber is a secured with separation net or grid area in the trunk, in which no luggage can fall over. With a harness, you can also ride on the seat.
6. Safe and satisfied on the way
Planning your car trips so that you can make gas breaks without time pressure. In general, the daily stages should be shorter than in car rides with purely human passenger groups. Breaks every two hours and regular water supply should be at least in there. Responsible animal lovers get their animal companion in advance for longer trips and test a few days before departure transport boxes and fuses.
7. Clarify import conditions before departure
Only because we two-legged within the EU can happily and freely cross the national borders, this does not apply to our animal family members. For them in the EU border crossing a chip for identification is mandatory, the EU vaccination certificate with proof of a valid rabies vaccine must also with.
Anyone leaving the EU with their pet must carefully check the entry and quarantine conditions. Depending on the destination country, the prescribed quarantine may take longer than the actual stay. Also on the return journey to Germany. In these cases, our furry companions are better off with trusted friends or family.
8. Transport on site
For flight and package travel, it is worthwhile to book a pet-friendly rental car at the place of arrival, so a stress-free journey from the airport to the accommodation as well as excursion destinations is possible.
9. Known food reduces physical stress
For our faithful companion vacation trips are not exclusively relaxing holiday fun. They do not understand what’s going on, they may not tolerate a climate change well and have to settle in at the resort. To make the transition as easy as possible, it is advisable to bring the usual food and water for the ride from home. Smaller aches and pains can be provided by a veterinarian with a specially brought first aid kit. In addition, one should inform oneself about possible infection risks in the respective vacation country, in order to prevent bad surprises and unwanted souvenirs. Information is available from your veterinarian.
10. Security through well-known travel companions
To instantly create a confidence-inspiring environment in the holiday home, put the usual dog or cat bed, a blanket and your favorite toy in a tight corner, in which there is not too much operation. So the fur nose can arrive in peace and set up. Cats must also be shown in addition the litter box, so it does not come to “accidents”.
For traveling with pets, a good preparation is already half the battle. They like the usual activities and daily routines, so it is a good idea to practice long car trips in transport boxes, overnight stays in foreign flats and feeding in a foreign environment in advance. Those who pack smartly and are prepared for eventualities can look forward to a relaxing holiday. And remember: If the destination is far away, hard to reach or the pet is too sensitive, a carefree stay with relatives may be more enjoyable for the four-legged friend.