• Disclosures
  • Media and Contacts

Dog Mom Days

Inspiring Millennial dog moms to live modern, meaningful lives.

  • Home
  • About
    • Media and Contacts
  • Blog
    • Blogging
  • DIY
    • Homemade Dog Treats
  • Traveling With Dogs
  • Wynston’s Resume
    • Dog Modeling

Tips for Vacationing With Your Dog

August 28, 2017 By Amanda 4 Comments

tips for vacationing with your dogI much prefer vacationing with my dogs than without. Having my dogs’ company adds a whole different dynamic to traveling. Much like parents do with human children, I point out sites, take pictures of my dogs next to landmarks, and showcase our journey for the social media world to see. I’ve taken Wynston on an airplane and on several road trips, so I wanted to share some of my tips for vacationing with your dog. I hope you find some of this information helpful as you head out on your adventures!

Tips for Vacationing With Your Dog

Flying With Your Dog

Research airline restrictions and prices: Every airline is different when it comes to traveling with dogs (visit DogStruggles for more info). Typically there is a fee for flying with your dog, but it differs depending on which airline you’re traveling with. Some airlines have a weight limit for bringing your dog in the cabin, others just want your dog to fit comfortably under a seat. Certain airlines also require an “airline approved” pet carrier. These are all variables that you should look into before even booking your trip.

Calming supplements: Flying can be extremely nerve-wracking for dogs. Consider a calming CBD oil from like HempMy Pet, or ask your veterinarian for anxiety medication. It could make flying with your pup much easier.

Bring updated vet records: When at the airport with your dog, officials may want to see a health certificate or updated vaccinations. You should also make sure your pet is healthy enough to fly to begin with. Your vet can help you with all of that!

Have a comfortable carrier: I got the most comfortable carrier I could find when I first flew with Wynston – the Sherpa Deluxe Pet Carrier (affiliate link). Wyn was SUPER cozy in this carrier and it fit well right under the seat in front of me. Whatever carrier you use, make sure it’s airline approved. A majority of Sherpa carriers are airline approved but make sure to do your research.

Bring the necessities: Make sure you bring food, water, collapsible bowls, treats, chews, a blanket and your dog’s favorite toy. Since flying is stressful on dogs, make them feel at home by putting their favorite items in the carrier. And of course, you always want to be prepared with food and water.

Potty breaks: If you have a layover, check your connecting airport to see if they have an indoor area where your dog can go potty. I’d recommend making a potty break for your dog a priority when arriving at or leaving an airport.

Hotel Stays

  • When booking your trip, be sure to research dog-friendly hotels. Ask about pet fees and weight limits. Also, just because one hotel of a major chain is dog-friendly, doesn’t mean they all are. Double and triple check!
  • Wherever you decide to stay, research local and emergency vets in the area. You want to make sure help is nearby if you need it.
  • Bring a kennel so your dog has a safe place to rest if you need to leave the hotel room without them.
  • Update your hotel preferences by asking for a ground floor room or one close to an elevator. I know from experience how difficult it is to take your dog on a “quick” potty break when you have to walk super far just to get outside!
tips for vacationing with dogs
Courtesy of offmetro.com

Dog-Friendliness

Look into dog friendly restaurants: I love taking my dogs out to eat. Arizona has dog-friendly restaurants everywhere, but that’s not the case in a lot of places. I don’t like leaving Wynston in the hotel room alone, so I enjoy researching new dog-friendly joints for us to try together!

Research dog friendly tourist attractions: One of my favorite things about traveling with dogs is hitting up dog-friendly tourist attractions. Nothing is more fun than taking photos of my kids at unique places! Google, and websites like Bring Fido, are great places to research potential dog-friendly locations in the area you’re visiting. I also like the Bark Happy app for Android and iPhone.

Basics

  • Whenever you’re traveling you should always make sure to have updated vaccines, microchip info and ID tags.
  • Bring all of the basics: leash, harness, collar, waste bags, dog shampoo, blanket, food, water, treats, toys, chews, medications and anything else you may need!
  • If you’re taking a road trip and you fear your pup may get car sick, as your veterinarian to prepare a prescription medication for you. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
tips for vacationing with your dog
Photo: Igor Normann/Shutterstock

Have you traveled with your dog before? What tips would you share for safe travels in the sky or on the road?

Filed Under: Dog Friendly, Dog Mom, Traveling Tagged With: flying with dogs, road trip tips for dogs, tips for traveling with small dogs, tips for traveling with your dog, tips for vacationing with your dog, vacationing with dogs

Comments

  1. Brandi Lytle says

    August 29, 2017 at 7:16 am

    We LOVE to travel and often take Maddie with us. We bought a playpen (with the bottom sewed in so she can’t get out) to leave her in at the hotel if she has to stay by herself. The playpen is bigger than a pet carrier, but it folds up nicely and doesn’t take up much room when packing. Also, we like to research doggie day camps in the areas we are traveling. That way, if we want to explore something that isn’t puppy friendly, Maddie can still have fun playing!

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      August 29, 2017 at 3:42 pm

      Great tips! Thank you!!!

      Reply
    • Ivana Kinsley says

      July 20, 2019 at 5:25 am

      Thanks for the great tips about a playpen.

      Reply
  2. Cindy Grant says

    September 5, 2017 at 12:50 pm

    Such great tips! Sometimes I do got in a mess when I hadn’t prepared well enough travelling with my dog. I’d be sure to keep in mind these helpful tips for our next trip!
    Thanks a lot for this post!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Meet Amanda!

My name is Amanda, and I'm a dog and cat mom who has been writing in the pet industry for 8 years. Let's work together! Email me at amanda@dogmomdays.com
Adventuring With Amanda on YouTube

Connect with me!

Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest
LinkedIn

Looking Around?

Browse the site!

Try Nom Nom Dog Food!

Support Our Travels!




Honest Paws Hemp Oil!

Get a Breed T-Shirt!

Animal Inspired Clothing

Recent Posts

  • Update on What We’ve Been Up To!
  • How to Keep Your Black Cat Safe on Halloween
  • Top 6 Best Kitten Foods of 2021
  • We Adopted a New Family Member!
  • We Bought a New Van!
Dog Mom Days

Archives

Copyright © 2022 · Dog Mom Days, LLC · WordPress · Log in