Should I Bring My Dog on Vacation? The Ultimate Vacation Dilemma for Fur Parents
To dog or not to dog? That is the question of a traveling dog owner. On one paw, you’ll miss your four legged friend and worry about them the entire time you are gone. But if you bring your pooch along, will you get the chance to relax and enjoy yourself?
Even if your puppy is your favorite travel buddy, it’s important to ask yourself this simple question before each trip; SHOULD I bring my dog on vacation? The answer may not be as straightforward as you think!
Between your desired travel plans, your dog’s health and personality, and your budget, there are a lot of important factors to consider before you make the final decision. This post will help you weigh the pros and cons of taking your pup on vacation and other important factors so you can decide if it’s a good idea for your furry friend to join you on your travels.
Pros and Cons of Taking Your Dog on Vacation
One of the first steps to deciding whether to bring your dog on vacation is to simply weigh the pros and cons. We’ve started a list to help you compare the whys versus why not. If you feel that one side greatly outweighs the other, then you have your answer.
Pros of Taking Your Dog on Vacation
- You get to have your canine sidekick with you- no guilty feelings from leaving your doggy behind!
- Save money and have peace-of-mind because you don’t have to board them or try to find reliable pet-sitting services.
- Your pup gets to experience new places, smells, and activities.
- Traveling gives your dog fantastic socialization and training opportunities.
- New adventures create the chance for wonderful bonding time for you and your fur friend.
- You get to experience new dog-friendly places and activities you would have missed if you didn’t have your dog with you.
Cons of Taking Your Dog on Vacation
- Not every place or person is dog friendly or appropriate for pets.
- There are additional pet fees at some pet-friendly attractions and lodgings.
- Potential added stress on you and your pups.
- Extra time and effort are required when planning a dog friendly vacation
- Your itinerary needs to revolve around your dog.
Should I Bring My Dog on Vacation?
If you still want to vacation with your dog after weighing the pros and cons of pet travel, it’s time to dig a little deeper. You’ll need to decide whether your upcoming vacation is pup-appropriate. Though there are several fantastic reasons to vacation with your dog, sometimes it’s best for everybody if they stay home.
When you decide between packing a bag for your pup or calling a pet sitter, there are several factors to consider first. Your ultimate decision should be based on pet safety, practicality, and budget.
Are your vacation plans safe and humane for your pet?
As a pet parent, your dog’s safety is your main concern, especially on vacation. So, step one is making sure they are healthy enough to travel. Depending on your vacation plans, your pup might need a health certificate from a veterinarian. This paperwork proves they are fit to travel and are up to date on all required vaccinations.
You will also want to ensure your vacation plans won’t put your doggie at risk or cause them high stress. Pets suffering from high anxiety can make themselves sick to the point of needing a vet. Even well-behaved dogs can act out in destructive or aggressive ways when stressed. This is why it’s important to take steps to help your dog if they suffer from anxiety. As dog owners, it’s important to keep your pets out of unsafe situations so they don’t pose a risk to people around them.
When deciding whether to vacation with your pup, be honest about what they can handle. For example, if your dog doesn’t handle crowds well, don’t take them to a festival or into a big city. Instead, consider taking them on a nature-based trip.
The same goes for deciding where you should book your stay. Dogs sensitive to noise or do a lot of barking would do better in most campgrounds than in a busy pet friendly hotel. If you know what situations your dog struggles with, you can decide if your upcoming vacation plans will be a good match.
The weather and temperatures during your upcoming trip also affect how safe the trip will be for your pet. Extreme temperatures are dangerous for everyone, so you need to be able to take proper care of your pup wherever you go.
Certain dog breeds are more sensitive to extreme temperatures than others. This will come into play when you decide if your pup should go and the type of activities they can participate in. If you would like some tips on dealing with dramatic temperatures we have a Winter Dog Tips post and Summer Tips for Dogs.
Is it practical to have a dog on your upcoming vacation?
Dog travel is becoming more popular and the idea of bringing your doggo on all your trips is a dream come true. Unfortunately, us dog lovers should remember that this may not be the best thing for our four legged friends.
There are a few questions you need to answer to figure out how practical bringing your dog on vacation would be:
- Will the vacation be a good experience for your dog? Remember, pets are not allowed everywhere. And some of the places that allow pets don’t have the best environment for all dogs.
- Are there certain requirements you and your pup have to meet like quarantine or getting a health certificate before you go?
- What is the pet policy? You will want to look at the pet policies and restrictions for all of the places you plan on traveling to.
- How dog friendly are the activities you plan on doing? Would your dog be okay in that situation? If the place isn’t pet friendly, how long would you be gone for? Would your dog be able to be left alone for that long? Is there a good doggie day care nearby that you could use?
We have some great tips on leaving your dog unattended in a new place so you can have some doggy-free time on your vacation. But, if your dream travel plans include lots of flights or lots of visits to non-dog-friendly places like high-end museums and art galleries, it might be better to get your pup a pet sitter.
Will your vacation budget allow you to bring your dog?
The last thing to look at is your travel budget and decide which option is more affordable for you. If you leave your pet at home, you have to pay for boarding or a pet sitter. But if you take your pet with you, you will have to make sure you have money to cover any pet fees needed during your travels.
Depending on the location, activities, and length of time you’ll be gone, one option may be much more affordable than the other.
To Dog or Not to Dog: The Final Wag
As you can see, there is no straightforward answer to the question “Should I take my dog on vacation?”. This means that as loving, responsible pet owners, we need to make this decision on a trip-by-trip basis. Not every vacation will be ideal for your canine companion and that’s okay!
As long as you make your pet’s safety a priority and do your best to set them up for success, they will be fine. This is especially true when you take the time to properly plan a dog-friendly vacation and get the chance to make wonderful new memories together.
And please remember that there is no shame if vacation plans are too much for your furry family member and you have to leave them behind. Every parent deserves a chance to take a break from their kids once in a while! As long as you set your pet sitter up for success, your pets might not even notice you’re gone!
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