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Pet Friendly Vacation Planning & Activities
Posted by Michael Shine
Need help deciding where to stay, play, or eat with your dog? Get the scoop on our favorite pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, and activities around the world below!
You will need first to decide what kind of vacation you want to take. Much of this will be determined by what type of pet you are bringing…dog or cat. It is easier to go where there are the most activities and amenities you and your pet can do together.
If you are planning to take a dog, you have many more options. Why? Well-mannered dogs usually make for the perfect travel companion. They are naturals when it comes to traveling, which is why you will find more pet-friendly hotels that allow dogs only rather than dogs and cats. Hotels see more pet travel with canines than with cats, so they typically aren't as prepared for cat pet travelers.
There are many more pet-friendly restaurants, activities, such as pet events, on- and off-leash parks, to do in any given city for dogs than you will find for cats. Cats tend to be homebodies. But you can teach a cat to travel, and the best way is to start them out early. So think about what kind of vacation you want.
What You Will Need to Bring
The first thing to consider is how you will get to your destination. Taking a car is the easiest: just pack up the pets in their carriers, along with some food and water bowls, old sheets and towels from home, and a few favorite toys.
Packing Right for Your Pet-Friendly Vacations
Traveling by plane, car or RV, you will need to bring staples for your pet:
- Vaccination records
- Pet tags in case your pet gets loose
- Photos of your pet in case of separation
- Medications
- Car restraints
- Pet carriers
- Strollers (especially for cats)
- Water bowl and feeding container
Prepping for Car Travel
Road trips involve a decent amount of time in the car, so it's essential to consider how your dog will ride. A crate or specially designed seat belt (that is well fitted) will help keep pets safe in the event of an accident, while also preventing distractions for the driver.
The crate or seat belt should be set up in the backseat, away from airbags, which can be fatal. The cargo area of hatchbacks and SUVs isn't ideal because of crumple zones. Still, I often put a crate there because I don't have space elsewhere with multiple people in the car.
Also, be sure to get your dog used to their restraint ahead of time by easing them into longer rides. You don't want a multi-hour road trip to be their first time in a crate or seat belt!
Load everyone up in the car and go! Taking a plane or train takes just a little more planning. When researching flights, check out the websites for the airlines under consideration to see what their policies are for animals. Some will stow all crates in storage; others will allow cats and toy breed dogs to stay with you in the cabin.
Dog-Friendly Hotels
There are thousands of pet-friendly hotels. You'll find all the most popular pet-friendly hotels, vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts, and campgrounds below.
Dog-Friendly Restaurants Near Me
Don't leave Fido in the hotel room when it 'sits time for dinner. There are tens of thousands of dog-friendly restaurants. A handful of our favorite sidewalk cafes, coffee shops, bars, and other eateries that welcome Fido to join at an outdoor table are listed below. Bon appetite!
Emergency Dog Services Near Me
When traveling with dogs, one thing is sure. Poop happens. Luckily, there are pet services that can help you out with emergencies (or anything else you may need). You'll find information on the most popular pet daycare, pet sitters, animal hospitals, and other pet businesses below.
Dog Activities Near Me
When you want to spoil your dog or meet other dog owners who are as crazy about their pets are you are, there's no better place to bring Fido than a dog event. Get out and play! There are so many dog-friendly activities. You'll find information on our favorite dog parks, beaches, hiking trails, tours, stores, and many other "animal attractions" below.
