It’s no secret that Britain is famous for being a nation filled with animal lovers. We LOVE animals here at S&LC. Millions of people in the UK own pets like dogs, and some people have two or more canine companions. It’s only natural that those individuals treat their pets as part of their families.
Often, many dog owners would like to take their pets on holiday with them, and it’s far easier to do so within the UK than going on a trip abroad.
You’re likely reading this article today because you’ve got one or more pet dogs, and you’d like to take them on a staycation adventure. The thing is, you’ve never gone on holiday with your canine companions before.
The following information details everything you need to know about having a successful pet-friendly holiday within the UK:
Preparation
Firstly, it makes sense to spend some time preparing for a holiday adventure with your pampered pooches. If you own a vehicle, you’ve probably already got everything you need to keep your dogs comfortable on car journeys.
Otherwise, you’d need to think about how best to transport them. Generally, you’re allowed to take well-behaved pet dogs on public transport. Always check with any transport providers beforehand to confirm their pet policies.
Another thing to do as part of your preparation is to ensure your dogs have up-to-date vaccinations. If in doubt, consult each pet’s vaccination records or talk to your vet. If your dogs take medicine regularly, ensure there’s plenty available for the duration of your holiday.
Additionally, make sure you’ve got plenty of food and snacks for your dogs, along with things like toys and poo bags.
Accommodation
You’ve probably settled on a destination for your holiday, but have you looked into pet-friendly accommodation? It’s worth remembering that not all campsites, B&Bs, hotels, and self-catering apartments and cottages allow dogs unless they’re assistance animals.
Websites like The Inn Collection Group and TripAdvisor can help you locate suitable pet-friendly accommodation for the duration of your holiday. Of course, you can also conduct some Google searches to broaden your search.
Planning your journey
You want to make your trip to your holiday destination as relaxing and comfortable as possible, both for you and your canine companions.
With that in mind, plan your journey to include a few rest stops where your dogs can stretch their legs and answer any calls of nature. Like humans, dogs can only hold things in for so long before needing a toilet stop!
Ensure that you have some bowls accessible to provide your dogs with fresh drinking water during each rest stop. The last thing you want is for them to become dehydrated and anxious.
Carry out a risk assessment
Lastly, once you reach your destination, you should check that all fences and gates are secure and that there is nothing that could get easily broken by dogs inside your accommodation.
It’s also worth having the details of a local vet to hand in case of any emergencies.
Good luck – and remember to have lots of fun!
