Our canine companions are a precious part of our families, so it’s no surprise that many of us want to take them on holiday with us. Our trips away can even be enhanced by our four-legged friends, as they encourage us to get out and about and explore the world around us. They also provide comfort and companionship, which can be especially helpful when you’re travelling on your own.
But travelling with a dog isn’t as simple as putting on their lead and heading out the door. In this post, we look at some of the items you’ll need to pack to ensure that both you and your beloved pooch have a fantastic time.
Their Bedding
Dogs rely heavily on the sense of smell, with noses that are 1,000 to 10,000 times more acute than us humans. Not only can they detect things far better than us, but they have a ‘scent memory’, meaning that they can recognise if they’ve smelt something before.
Taking your pup’s bedding with you on holiday will therefore provide them with a familiar scent and sense of comfort. There will be lots of new smells in your holiday accommodation, which can make it hard for your dog to switch off and relax. Providing their own bedding can create a safe space that they can retreat to when they need it.
A Backpack
Going on holiday gives you a chance to explore, unrestricted by your work or home schedule. You may go out for day trips or long walks with your dog, and you’ll need to ensure that you’ve got everything you both need. A sturdy rucksack can mean you can carry food, water, poo bags, toys and treats, without having to stuff your pockets full of gear. For extra usability, opt for a waterproof one to ensure you and your canine can get out and about no matter the weather.
Travel Tubs and Bottles
At home, you likely have your dog’s food and treats in larger tubs or bags. But you won’t want to take all of this with you on holiday, especially if you’re going to be doing a lot of walking or using public transport. Instead, invest in some secure tubs to hold smaller portions of kibble and treats which you can take with you in your rucksack. That way, you can reward your pet or give them something to chew when you’re on your adventures.
A travel water bottle and bowl can also be a good idea. Insulated ones will keep the water cool and fresh for your pup, and carrying one avoids reliance on public water bowls.
Insurance Details
Whilst no one wants anything to go wrong on holiday, accidents do happen and you may need to take your pup to a vet that is local to your destination. In this case, you’ll want to have their medical and insurance details to hand as they won’t have them stored on file. It’s best to keep a downloaded or paper copy of these documents handy rather than relying on logging into an online portal, just in case there isn’t any signal.
Be Prepared for an Amazing Holiday
By preparing in advance, you can enjoy a truly memorable holiday with your canine companion. Follow our top tips and set off on your latest adventure together.
This is a guest post from author: Emmie Fletcher
A lifelong lover of dogs, Emmie currently has a Labrador Retriever. Together, they enjoy hiking and then coming back to their holiday accommodation to curl up with a good book and a snack.