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.
#10 Be aware of extra dangers to your pet’s health when travelling
Being out and about on holiday is different to being at home. There are several extra risks to your pet when travelling that you wouldn’t usually need to be concerned about. For example, if your pet is going to be in the great outdoors with you, they’re at risk of everything from snake bites, ticks, dog fights, bait poisoning, campfires and injuries that they would rarely encounter in the safety of their home. Forbidden human foods like chocolate are often in easy reach of your dog when camping, so make sure you keep these foods away or leave them home.
After a couple of days on the road, it’s easy to get complacent about letting your pet roam around on their own. However, walking just a few metres into scrub or bush is all it takes for your dog to eat poison or be bitten. Keep your dog on its leash and accompany them everywhere. If you’re near any roads, secure your dog’s leash when you’re busy, so they don’t run out in front of traffic.
Before you travel anywhere, make sure your pet is up to date with their vaccinations. Put on a flea collar or treatment during your trip, and use repellent if they’re likely to get bitten by flies or mosquitoes. Check your pet regularly for ticks and grass seeds while you’re away and again when you return home.
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.
