Vacationing with Your Dog

Yesterday we shared a top 10 packing list for vacationing with your dog that we received from Dr. Donna J. Spector with VCA Animal Hospitals. Today we’ve got some of Dr. Spector’ favorite tips for having a smooth and safe vacation this summer with your dog:

1. What type of trip are you taking? If you plan on spending most of your time outdoors; on the beach, hiking in the woods, taking long leisurely bike rides and having dinner on the grill….your dog will have a great time. If you are planning on touring buildings (museums, etc), taking guided tours, visiting the spa, and dining out on the town….your dog may be bored to tears….or worse, destruction of a hotel room. Even well-behaved dogs can exhibit unsavory behavior in strange places.
2. Inquire about local leash and dog laws…can your dog be on the beach? In the woods? On or off leash? Is he allowed at outdoor cafes and restaurants?
3. Have you inquired about pet friendly hotels or facilities in your vacation area? Facilities run the gamut from being “no pets allowed” to “pet tolerant” to “pet friendly”. Pet tolerant facilities often require a deposit and there is usually no special treatment for your dog or cat. Pet friendly hotels and facilities usually go out of their way—offering special treats at check-in, play programs, day care and sometimes even special spa treats and turndown service for your pet. Call ahead to get details and to reserve a space for your pet.
4. Is there a local pet day care in the places you are going? This may be fun for your dog while you are out to dinner or getting that massage!
5. If you are flying, call the airline and reserve a space for your pet. There is a fee and there are a limited number of pets on each flight. Depending on your pet’s size, they may be unable to fly in the cabin and this will require further information from the airline. You might also be interested in checking out Pet Airways, the world’s first pet-only airline!
6. Visit your VCA veterinarian. Make sure your pet is current on his vaccinations, as well as flea, tick, parasite and heartworm prevention. Make sure your pet has been micro-chipped. This will enable identification if he ever gets lost. Get a health certificate and all of his vaccination tags. If your pet has a medical condition, take a copy of pertinent medical records in the event of an emergency. If possible, identify a veterinarian in the area where you will be vacationing. VCA Animal Hospitals are located nationwide: http://www.vcahospitals.com/main/directory.html

About Paris Permenter and John Bigley

DogTipper publishers Paris Permenter and John Bigley are a husband-wife team of full-time writers. The couple has authored over two dozen books and 2,500+ magazine articles.

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