The weather is improving as spring is finally here and many of us are loking forwards to going on holiday. In this post I hope to give you some advice on taking your dog with you on holiday from how to take your dog on a long journey to getting a pet passport.
There are some vital points to consider when taking your dog on holiday, length of the journey and temperature at your destination are key considerations. This post will look at holidays abroad with your dog and same country holidays. The information on taking your dog abroad is mostly relevant to UK residents although there is useful information regardless of where you live.
Taking your dog abroad with you has been made much simpler with the introduction of the Pet Passport Scheme. Your dog will have its own passport but will need to go through various procedures to get this including a rabies vaccination. You can`t travel to all EU countries with the pet passport, but the easily accessible countries are compliant including France. Any much further afield and you should consider the affect the long journey will have on your dog. For more information on the Pet Passport Scheme, visit www.defra.gov.uk. The most important point to note is that you cannot return to the UK within six months of the blood sample (test that the rabies vaccination was successful) being taken. Because of this the whole pet passport process should be initiated a minimum 7 months prior to your expected return.
European countries are usually much warmer than the UK, take into consideration whether your dog will cope well with the increased heat, especially during summer months. Most dogs coats will have grown to protect them from UK temperatures and will not be able to adapt quickly enough for a short holiday.
Beach laws in European countries are also more stringent than the UK, many beaches simply do not allow dogs. Would you be leaving your dog alone for periods of time? Will the area be air conditioned? Your dog should definitely not be left in a car, the temperature rises immediately even in the shade and can kill your dog in just a few short minutes.
Many dogs become travel sick on long journeys. My own dog is fine with trips of up to an hour but over that she begins to pant heavily. There are plenty of products available over the counter and via prescription for dog anxiety and travel sickness. If you prefer to go natural, a product I hear recommended often is Scullcap & Valerian. Have a chat with your vet and provide as much information as possible so they can gauge what strength medication will be right for your dog. Does your dog become anxious immediately upon entering the vehicle or it is after a sustained period of time, does your dog pant, does your dog vomit are all questions your vet is likely to ask.
The remedy of car sickness may be even simpler, they may just need company. Try a journey sitting with your dog instead of putting them alone in the boot of the car for example. You could also bring a comfort blanket or a favourite toy (you might not want to take a squeaky toy in a confined space though) or a filled Kong.
plan your route with plenty of stops along the way. there should be plenty of toilet stops with fresh water available and the ability for a leg stretch. A five minute walk around the perimeter of a car park may be good enough for another hour of your journey. Remember though not to leave your dog in the car during stops, the break should be for them too and again remember the heat of the car can kill your dog.
There are lots of dog friendly hotels, B&Bs and campsites across the country and abroad. A quick search will bring up specific websites dedicated to dog friendly accommodation for a variety of budgets.
Thousands of dogs go missing each year, especially in an area the dog is not familiar with. A dog tag with your telephone can reunite you with your dog, but if your dog is anything like my terrier those tags often get lost themselves, this is where micro-chipping is essential. Most vets and dog rescue have a microchip reader should your dog be found. If your dog is already micro-chipped make sure the details held on record are correct and up to date.
Dogs love beaches and the sea but swimming in the sea can be very different to paddling in the local pond. The sea current can be hard for your dog, sudden differences in ground level and not to mention sea life. Last year my dog was having a leisurely swim in the sea off the east coast when a seal came over to say hi. Molly didn’t seem too phased by it but I had a mild panic, luckily the seal was an inquisitive soul and after a few minutes watching casually swam away.
If you are worried about your dog in the sea or are going to an area with particularly rough water, you may want to buy your dog a dog life vest. They help your dog stay afloat and visible giving you piece of mind.
Both you and your dog will also be in unfamiliar surroundings, you don`t know what is around the next corner, be particularly weary of hidden cliff faces. Dogs are lower to the ground and what looks like an endless field to a dog may have a very steep drop suddenly without warning. The south coast around Devon on especially bad for this.
Are there any other considerations you would like to add when taking your dog on holiday? Let us know using the comments field below, or on twitter or our facebook page.
Happy holidays!
Nice article! I have never taken a dog on holiday I have always worried about not being able to go out for the day due to dogs not being allowed in certain places. Next time we go to the east coast however I am thinking of taking him!
When I am planning a trip I always have 30 minutes on google first to find out where the dog beaches are, what times of year they are dog beaches etc.
On a recent trip to Cornwall I booked a house for the week that was on a dog beach, made for an amazing holiday.