Taking your pet on holiday with you can be easy if you do a little research before you go. Plus, when you put plans in place for getting there and accommodating your pet accordingly, you’re all set for a holiday that everyone will enjoy.
Your dog is a member of your family, so it’s natural to want to take them on holiday with you too. A road trip to one of our holiday parks can be the perfect retreat for you and your furry best mate. Plus, taking your pet with you means you can avoid the cost of a boarding kennels, not to mention any separation anxiety they might suffer. Just think of the wonderful time your pet will have checking out all the new sights and smells!
Remember – taking a pet on holiday can impact every part of your trip, including:
- how you travel
- when you travel
- where you stay
- what you do on the holiday
If you’re planning your first holiday with your pet in tow, follow our 12 top tips so you can all enjoy the holiday and return home relaxed and ready to prepare your next location.
#1 Do a short test run holiday with your pet if they haven’t travelled before
If you haven’t travelled with your pet before, try a short weekend trip for the first one just to see how your pet behaves. You don’t want to find yourself hundreds of kilometres from home, only to discover that your pet suffers from car sickness or becomes stressed about the temporary living arrangements.
A test run will give you a good idea of what you can expect in the future, and what you’d need to pack for your pet on an extended trip. If you’re also going to change your pet’s diet while travelling, start introducing the new food slowly by mixing it into their current meals at home, so they get used to it gradually.
Before you leave home, make sure your pet is wearing a tag or embroidered collar featuring their name and your mobile number. That way, if your pet is lost during the trip, hopefully someone will find them and make contact with you. Make sure your pet has a microchip too, and your contact details are up to date with Central Animal Records.
This tip was provided by our mates at HIF, providers of health insurance AND pet insurance. HIF is offering Family Parks members two special offers on insurance.
