Ultimate Guide to Pet-Friendly Travel

By The DINKs

Taking a vacation with your pet can be incredibly rewarding, allowing you both to explore new places together. However, planning a trip with your pet requires extra preparation to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey. From choosing pet-friendly accommodations to packing the right supplies, these tips will help create a seamless travel experience.

We’ve taken our dog, Dakota, on a five-week cross-country road trip and long weekend beach getaways, learning from many mistakes along the way. Whether you’re embarking on a road trip or flying to a new destination, a little foresight can make all the difference in keeping your pet comfortable and happy throughout your adventure.

Planning Resources

Planning a trip with your pet requires extra steps to ensure a smooth and enjoyable journey for both of you. Thankfully, numerous resources can help you find pet-friendly accommodations, attractions, and services. Our go-to is BringFido.com.

BringFido (www.BringFido.com): BringFido is an essential resource for pet owners planning a vacation with their furry friends. This user-friendly website and app provide detailed information on pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, attractions, and events worldwide. Whether you need accommodations that welcome pets, dog parks to visit, or pet-friendly activities, BringFido makes it easy to find and book options. While we use this site for research, we often book through other discount websites. It’s a good idea to double-check information on the actual hotel or venue website to confirm.

Booking Websites: Many booking websites offer filters for pet-friendly accommodations, making it easy to find deals on places to stay with your pup. Check out our blog on our favorite travel websites for planning travel.

The Ultimate Guide: Websites and Resources for Planning Your Travels

Packing

Packing for a trip with your dog requires careful planning to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey. Bring all necessary items to keep your dog comfortable and healthy while on the road. Key items include food and treats, a sturdy leash, proper identification, a first aid kit, toys, and any required medications.

Medical Docs & Supplies: Ensure all vaccinations are up to date and bring any necessary medications. Discuss anxiety remedies with your vet if your pet is nervous about travel.
Food and Water: Pack enough of your pet’s regular food, a portable water bowl, and bottled water. We like to bring regular bowls and a travel water bowl for daily adventures.
Comfort Items: Pack favorite toys, a familiar blanket, and bedding to help them feel at home. We use a “couch blanket” for hotel stays, which our dog loves.
Crate: Some hotels require a crate. A metal crate is recommended over a tent-like travel one, as our dog has chewed through the latter.
Leash and Collar: Ensure your pet wears a collar with ID tags and bring a sturdy leash for walks. We always bring a backup leash.
Poopy Bags: Keep rolls in the car, attached to the leash, and in your purse to always have extras handy.
Treats: Having extra chewy treats helps keep our dog distracted and content during outings.
Clothing & Shoes: While our dog doesn’t wear clothes, he has sensitive paws, so we bring shoes for certain environments like the salt flats in Utah.

Hotel & Lodging

Where to Stay:

We often use points for our hotel stays, so we only need to cover the pet fee. Most Hyatt and Marriott hotels charge a $75 fee for stays up to six days. This allows us to stay nearly a week with our dog for just $75 when using points. For single-night stays, we look for hotels with no or low pet fees. We start our search on BringFido and then book through the hotel’s website.

Hotels without a Pet Fee: These are rare in our preferred hotel category. Aloft is one brand we’ve found that sometimes doesn’t charge a pet fee, though it varies by location.
Confirm Before Arrival: Always ensure your accommodation is pet-friendly and has a pet-friendly room available. We call ahead to confirm, as some places have limited pet-friendly rooms.
Amenities: We request the first floor for easier access and avoid elevators, which our dog dislikes. Our dog loves balconies, so we look for rooms with this feature.
Camping: Most campgrounds are pet-friendly. While we’re not avid campers, we’ve enjoyed RV camping with our in-laws. Our dog loves exploring the campground and meeting other dogs.

Tips for Making your Dog at home:

Traveling with your dog can be a wonderful experience, but it also requires some extra planning to ensure they feel comfortable in new surroundings. Here are some tips to help your furry friend settle into a hotel:

Create a Cozy Space: Set up a designated area for your dog with their bed, food, water, and toys. Choose a quiet corner where they can retreat and relax. If your dog is crate-trained, bringing their crate can provide them with a secure, familiar space.
Stick to a Routine: Try to maintain your dog’s usual feeding, walking, and playtime schedule. This sense of normalcy helps your dog adjust more quickly to the new environment.
Exercise and Explore: Take your dog for regular walks around the hotel and surrounding area. Exploring new smells and sights can burn off energy, reduce anxiety, and help them feel more at ease in the hotel room.
Manage Noise Levels: Be mindful of the noise in the hotel. Sudden loud sounds or unfamiliar noises can be stressful. Consider using a white noise machine or a calming playlist to create a soothing environment. My dog gets concerned when someone enters or exits the room next door, thinking someone is in our “house.”
Use the Do Not Disturb Sign: Place the “Do Not Disturb” sign on your door to prevent housekeeping from entering unexpectedly. This avoids startling your dog.
Provide Contact Information: Give the hotel front desk your contact information in case of emergencies or any issues with your dog while you’re out. Most hotels require this upon check-in, ensuring you can be reached quickly if needed.
Keep Them Entertained: Leave your dog with some form of entertainment while you’re gone. A treat puzzle or leaving the TV on can help reduce stress. My dog loves looking out the window, so we make sure to leave the curtains open.

Driving with your dog

Driving with your dog on a road trip can be a fun and rewarding adventure with thoughtful planning and attention to your dog’s needs. Ensure your dog is comfortable with car travel, and consider using a harness or crate for safety. My dog prefers the floor of the passenger seat. While it may seem uncomfortable to us, he feels safe and happy there.

Safety First: Ensure your dog is comfortable with car travel. Use a harness or crate to keep them secure.
Regular Breaks: Plan regular stops for exercise, bathroom breaks, and water to keep your dog happy and healthy. Some Love’s gas stations even have small “dog parks” where your dog can run off-leash.
Avoid Leaving Your Dog Alone: Never leave your dog alone in the car, especially in hot weather. When you stop for gas, have one person walk the dog while the car is turned off.

Dining

You’ve taken the time to research pet-friendly restaurants and cafes so you can enjoy meals together without leaving your pet behind. Here are some tips for easy sailing or eating as it maybe:

Confirm Pet Policies: Before heading out, double-check that the restaurant allows pets. Many places have outdoor seating that welcomes dogs. While BringFido, Yelp, and other sites are helpful, it’s always best to confirm as policies can change due to local laws.
Plan for Bad Weather: Since dining with your pet often means eating outside, have a backup plan in case of bad weather. If it’s cool enough, you might need to leave your dog in the car for a short time, or consider eating in the car.
Choose the Right Seating: Pick a shaded area away from heavy foot traffic. Even if your dog loves people, being too close to the action can be distracting and make it harder for them to relax.
Bring Essentials: Pack a travel water bowl, a bottle of water, and a small bag of treats. While many restaurants provide water bowls, it’s easier to have your own in case the restaurant is busy.
Exercise Beforehand: Give your pet some exercise before dining out to help them relax and stay calm during the meal. A hike is ideal, but even a short walk can work wonders.

Activities

Including your pet in your travel experiences can make your trip more memorable. With more destinations becoming pet-friendly, it’s easier than ever to find activities to enjoy together. Many places offer pet-friendly tours and attractions, providing great opportunities to include your pet in the fun. Always verify pet policies in advance, respect any pet restrictions, and follow all guidelines to ensure your pet is a good ambassador for pet-friendly tourism.

Walking Tours: We love creating our own walking tours in cities allowing us to explore new locations and exercise our dog. From the Civil Rights March in Alabama to Rhode Island’s Cliff Walk, our custom tours ensure our furry friend can join in the adventure.
Hiking: Hiking with your pet is rewarding but not all trails allow dogs. Understand your dog’s abilities and be mindful of wildlife and trail conditions to ensure a safe and enjoyable hike.
Beaches: Enjoying the beach with your pet requires finding dog-friendly areas and adhering to specific beach rules. Spring and fall are ideal for all-day beach outings, while summer is best for early morning or evening visits.
Lakes and Rivers: Lakes and rivers offer a refreshing change of scenery for dogs. While our dog prefers staying on land, a life jacket is recommended for water-loving pets.
Breweries & Distilleries: Many breweries and distilleries welcome pets, often providing water bowls and treats. Check their pet policies in advance and choose outdoor seating areas for a relaxing visit.
Vineyards: Some vineyards are pet-friendly and offer outdoor seating. Confirm the vineyard’s pet policies beforehand, and bring essentials like a leash and water to ensure a comfortable visit for your pet.
State and National Parks: Visiting state and national parks with your dog can be delightful. Research park regulations, stick to pet-friendly trails, and keep your dog leashed to protect wildlife and natural resources.
Wildlife Viewing: Our dog enjoyed driving through Yellowstone and Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, where he watched buffalo herds and sniffed out black bears. Keeping him in the car ensured his safety and comfort.
Baseball Games: Many ballparks host “Bark in the Park” days for dogs to join the fun. Check event schedules and pet policies, and ensure your dog is comfortable with large crowds and noise.
Outdoor Music & Festivals: Outdoor festivals and music events can be enjoyable for pets if they’re pet-friendly. Arrive early for a shaded spot, and monitor your dog’s comfort in crowds and loud environments.
Other Activities: Pets are welcome in a variety of unexpected places. Always check pet policies in advance and be prepared with necessary supplies to make the most of your outings.

For more details on pet-friendly activities, tips and places we avoid taking our dog, check out our full blog on Pet-Friendly Travel Activities.

Traveling with Pets: Activities Both You and Your Dog Will Enjoy

Our Dog, Dakota

Incase your were wanting to know more about our dog, Dakota here is some background on him.

Breed: Siberian Husky
Age: Born in 2016
Does he talk?: Not as much as some Huskies. He saves his voice for demanding treats and excitingly greeting new people.
Is he friendly? Overly. He sometimes gets too excited and we have to hold his collar to insure he doesn’t jump or aggressively give kisses.
Does he get along with other animals? Yes, so far we haven’t found an animal he hasn’t liked. Except maybe the toad that made him sick – both lived.

Summary

Traveling with your pet requires extra effort, but the joy of experiencing new places together makes it all worthwhile. By preparing thoroughly, maintaining routines, and seeking out pet-friendly activities, you can ensure a safe, enjoyable, and memorable vacation for both you and your furry friend. Happy travels!

Doubletake Travel