5 Ways to Prepare to Take Your Dog on Vacation

Summer vacation for many families is quickly approaching. For most, the planning has already begun, and the excitement has started to build. If you want to take your dog on vacation, there are additional arrangements that have to be made when making Summer vacation plans.

PIN IT!

Many families enjoy taking their pets along with them on their family vacations, especially if they have a dog. It is also turning out to be a lot cheaper to take your dog on vacation rather than boarding your dog. If you’re looking for where to leave your dog when on vacation because you can’t take him with you for whatever reason, check out this post.

Disclaimer: Affiliate links are in this post. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

5 Ways to Prepare Your Dog for Summer Vacation

If you plan to take your dog with you on Summer vacation, there are several things that you can do to prepare when making your vacation plans.

Suitcase Just For Your Dog

Your dog will need their own luggage so that they can have all of those little items that they will need. A small duffel bag that you probably already have at home will work well for packing your dog’s food, as well as their chew toys, treats, bowls, pet first aid kit, vitamins, pet health and vaccine record book, and any other things they may need. This way, all of your dog’s items will be easy to find when you need them the most.

There are also plenty of dog suitcases for travel to choose from that you can purchase. They are quite convenient and made specifically with a pet in mind. Make sure you purchase a dog travel bag and a pet carrier that is airline-approved if you and your dog will be flying to your destination.

Travel Dog Bed

When traveling, your dog should have a bed of their own that they are comfortable sleeping on. If you buy them a new dog bed, then allow yourself a few weeks to break in the new bed. You can let them sleep on their bed for a few weeks and then pack it away when you are ready for the trip.

You can also use this same method to allow your dog to get used to a pet carrier if they’ve never been in one before. A dog’s travel bed should be easy to fold up and move around when you take your dog on vacation.

Check The Policies Of Your Destination

Depending on where you plan on spending your vacation, there may be certain regulations that you have to follow with your pet. Make sure you verify if your dog is allowed to stay at the hotel, resort, Airbnb etc before for your trip. Good sites to use to find pet friendly hotels, pet friendly restaurants, and more are BringFido.com and PetsWelcome.com. On hotel sites, there is usually a filter for ‘allows pets’ so make sure you check it.

You should research the area before you take your dog on vacation, to see what sections you are allowed to take your pet. Some areas of your destination may be pet friendly, but other areas may not be, so be sure to check. I know pet friendly places can be hard to find, but if you do your research before you leave, I’m sure you’ll be prepared.

Have a Place For Your Dog to Stay During Activities

While you are out doing family activities during your vacation, plan on where you will leave your dog during this time if you can’t take him with you. If there is a place to board your dog for just a few hours, do your research. Make sure that they have a good reputation and that the prices are reasonable.

We’ve used Rover before and highly recommend them. Click HERE to book now and get $10 OFF your first Rover pet sitting when you take your dog on vacation. You can also arrange for a family member to be the designated dog sitter if needed. If you’re only going to be gone for a few you can simply crate your dog until you return. Check the rules of where you are staying to make sure this is acceptable.

Vet Exam

Take your dog to the vet a few weeks before you leave for vacation. This way, you can be sure that your pet is as healthy as possible. There is nothing worse than having a sick pet while you are on vacation. Getting a clean bill of health from the vet is worth the peace of mind before you take your dog on vacation.

Dog Travel Bag Packlist

Want to know exactly what you should pack your dog when you take your dog on vacation? Just sign up by clicking HERE to get access to our dog packing list and ALL of our free pet parent printables.

Simply print the dog packing list out on regular paper or cardstock paper. Check the item off the list once you have it packed. I also included a bonus page where you can add extra items you would like to pack.

I hope you have a fun and safe Summer vacation with your dog!