At Take Your Pet, we’re clearly passionate about family holidays that include your pet. From accommodation to dining, services to experiences, we know that travelling with your fur-babies can really add enjoyment and depth to the entire vacation. But we also know that not every pet is suited to #vacationlife and not every location is suited to pets.
Not sure whether you should take your pet on holidays with you? Wondering what options you have if you choose to leave them behind? No worries! This blog post will tell you everything you need to know to make the best decision for the whole family, four-legged members included!
Should you leave your pet behind?
Your pet:
Not every pet is suited to packing up and exploring new places. First, consider their age. If they’re getting on in years and prefer the quiet life indoors, a road trip is not likely to be received well. Extreme changes in weather and environment may also cause discomfort.
Think about their temperament and how they react to unfamiliar situations, new people or interaction with other animals. There are plenty of ways to train your pet to behave in these scenarios – we recently wrote a blog post on this very topic. But if your fur baby is highly anxious or hyperactive, a change of scenery may make it difficult to avoid sensory overload. Consider other scenarios like how they travel in a car or how they sleep when not in their usual quarters.
Some pets do much better when surrounded by the familiarity and comfort of home turf, and you know their capabilities best.
Your holiday destination:
On the other hand? Even if your pet is accustomed to being on the road, some holiday locations just aren’t ideal for a four-legged family member. While we always reccomend seeking out the pet-friendly cafes, beaches and parks, you may not have the time or people-power to really utilise these alternatives. Plus, you may be stuck for choices when it comes to more remote destinations.
Consider the kinds of holiday activities you’ll be taking part in. Will there be a lot of sightseeing and day trips? Are you spending a lot of time around national parks or beaches? Do you have the capacity to exercise your dog, or spend a lot of time with them? Different holidays call for different activities – and that’s ok! But it’s worth honestly assessing whether it’ll make sense to take your pet on holidays if you can’t give them the TLC they’ll need.
A Note on Separation Anxiety:
If your pet reacts badly to being left alone on a day-to-day basis, it’s likely they have separation anxiety. A little anxiety can be quite normal and easily treated. But at it’s most severe, it can result in dangerous or destructive behaviours like chewing, digging, wrecking property, barking, howling or urinating uncontrollably. Prolonged anxiety will affect your dog’s sympathetic autonomic nervous system and can be detrimental to their overall health and wellbeing.
To learn more the causes and treatments of this condition, check out our blog post on effectively managing separation anxiety.
Pet-Sitting or Boarding House: What Option Works For You?
If you’ve made the decision to not take your pet on holidays, it’s easy to go into a spiral of guilt. Especially if this is your first time separating, it’s totally normal to be nervous.
But that doesn’t mean it has to distract from your holiday! With a little bit of research, you can easily find the right care option for your pet while you’re away.
The Pet-Sitter Option:
This is great for the pets who do better on home turf. You’ll need to decide on the frequency of your pet-sitting services. Some animals will only need a daily visit, while others (particularly dogs) may need multiple check-ins. Their disposition will play a big role in this, and if your pet is particularly prone to separation anxiety, there are plenty of pet-sitters who can stay at your house for the duration of your holiday.
A great idea is to ask for recommendations from family and friends, or check out a trusted directory (like this one right here!) Make sure you feel confident in their ability to care for your specific pet. Consider their breed, temperament and energy levels and whether your potential pet-sitter can match them.
As with anything pet-related, preparation is key. Start by writing clear, explicit instructions for your pet-sitter. Providing all necessary documentation, contact details, medication and money, you’ll ensure that you’re covered for any potential emergency.
For more tips on prepping for your pet-sitter, have a read of our blog post Purrrrfect Match – Choosing The Right Pet-Sitter For You
The Boarding House Option:
This is an excellent choice if your pet is more comfortable around new people or animals. With an array of kennel and cattery options out there, you’ll be spoilt for choice (you can search the Take Your Pet directory here). And speaking of spoilt? Many boarding houses offer luxury facilities, with services ranging from grooming treatments, training, pick-up and delivery, to special structured play. Your pet might end up not wanting to come home!
When choosing a kennel or cattery, it can give you peace-of-mind to visit the facility prior to booking. When you’re there, consider whether the premises are clean, spacious and well-cared for. Observe whether the pets appear happy, social and engaging with active, experienced owners/employees.
For more advice on choosing a kennel or cattery, have a read of our blog post Five Star Ratings For Fido: Choosing a Kennel Or Cattery