Who wants to leave their best four-pawed friend behind when they go travelling around the UK? We know we wouldn’t. And if you’re reading this, then you’ve made the decision to take your dog on holiday too.
There’s plenty to consider when planning a bit of R and R for your dog. He needs to be in your thoughts in the lead up to the special day so that you organise accordingly – you might need to think about how your dog will react to long journeys to get to your destination, and also you’ll want to ponder what to do whilst on holiday with him.
Most importantly, you’ll want to ensure that your home-away-from-home is a dog-friendly haven with everything a four-legged guest could want.
Arguably, the most important of the sections; how you plan before you go can set the tone for the whole holiday. Create yourself a dog holiday checklist full of dog travel essentials and you’ll be set up for the entire vacation. After all, if your holiday of choice is a wooded retreat set in an idyllic yet isolated location, you may find it difficult to locate somewhere to buy additional poo bags or another tennis ball to replace the one that got lost in the river.
These are just a couple of the dog holiday essentials that we would put on a dog holiday packing list. For more ideas, click below.
- Dog bed
- Food and water bowls
- Adjustable length lead
- Travel water bowl and bottle of water
- Dog treats and dental chews
- Toys (for the journey and for on holiday)
- Dog towels
- Poo bags
- Grooming products – this can include shampoos, brushes and also tick-removing tools
- Stain remover – for those accidents that sometimes happen
- Dog jacket – if your pup isn’t used to being outside for long spells or is a ‘single-coated’ dog breed
- Tie-up spike – in case you go somewhere lovely for a picnic
On the way: travel tips for car journeys with your dog
You’re all packed up and on your way. But travelling with dogs who aren’t used to car journeys can be somewhat challenging and you’ll be wanting to know how to keep your dog calm in the car.
Introduce them slowly
In fact, let’s just take a step back and talk about introducing your pup to the idea of a long journey slowly. Start by allowing them to explore your parked car at their leisure, letting them climb into the front and back to explore and sniff their surroundings. Next, take them on a short car journey to get them used to how they are going to travel (see next paragraph). Increase the journey time gradually as you approach your departure date.
Keep them secure
You may think that letting your dog roam free will keep them happy, but by having a crate stuffed with their very own comforting bedding and toys, you’ll be creating a safe environment for them to relax in, and you won’t have to worry about them getting loose and causing a hazard inside the car. In any event, it is a legal requirement to have any pets suitably restrained whilst journeying in the car.
Stick to a routine and take breaks
Dogs are creatures of habit and therefore it’s important to be mindful of any routine they may have when they’re at home so that you can try and replicate it when on the road. Take regular breaks when driving – this is good for your concentration and allows all four furry legs to get a good stretch too. Try and coincide these breaks with the time of day you would usually take a walk at home. It’s also good to remember to put the lead on your dog before you open the doors, in case you stop in a busy car park or somewhere else hazardous.
Be mindful of the heat
When you do take a break, make sure you never leave your dog inside your car for any length of time. It can become unbearable even with the windows open and even during the winter. In the summer months, it can take as little as 15 minutes for dogs to suffer from a fatal heatstroke. Something you can do is take hot weather precautions such as installing sunshades to keep the sun off their furry faces, just as you would with a small child.
As you’re travelling, consider the weather. If it’s hot, open some windows or turn on the air-con to help your pup regulate his temperature. If it’s cold, have extra blankets to hand to make him extra snuggly.
Remember the water
As you’ve already seen from the checklist section, you’ll need to remember a travel water bowl and some water. Don’t forget some treats too in case he’s hungry or if he’s just been a good boy.
Avoid the cliché head out of the window
Although it looks like a perfect Instagram moment and undoubtedly your dog would enjoy sticking his head out of the window to enjoy the wind in his face, it can be quite dangerous, especially if you do not know the roads you are on. Aside from eye irritation or getting injured by something outside, there is the small chance they could get too excited and slip out of the window altogether, so it’s best to only open the window a crack. Again, it is also a legal requirement for heads to remain inside the vehicle at all times!
Consider a dog first aid kit
This is a ‘just in case’ sort of thing. You may have one in your car anyway but by bolstering it a little with extra bits for your dog, you’ll be sitting pretty should there be accidents of any kind.
Seek help for anxious pups
If you know that your dog is anxious, you might be best off seeking the advice of a vet prior to making your journey. Products such as pheromone bandanas, which deliver a scent believed to be similar to what mum would have released when your dog was a pup, can be a great stress reliever and can keep dogs calm for hours. If you think your dog might be prone to car sickness, lay a waterproof sheet down in their crate, try to avoid travelling just after feeding time and drive with care, avoiding harsh braking and swerving.
On holiday: how to keep your dog calm on holiday
On the topic of anxious dogs - whilst it can be immediately exciting to some dogs to be in a new place, it can be disconcerting to some pups to have such a sudden change of scenery. This is why it’s important to keep your dog calm and learn how to settle your dog on holiday.
Medicines
In order for your dog to have the most amazing time on holiday, you’re going to need them to be healthy and happy. And it goes without saying that for this to happen, they are going to need to continue to take any medication they are on. This will also ensure your own peace of mind, as it’s unlikely you’ll be able to obtain replacement medicines whilst on holiday if they are specific to your dog.
Keep to a routine
Just like during the car journey, it’s important to keep up your normal habits whilst away at your holiday home. Make sure dinnertime is the same as it is at home and that the food is the same, this will provide a level of comfort if only for the first few days until you need to buy more dog food. You’ll likely be out for walks a lot but if you nip out for toilet breaks whilst staying in your cottage, try to take said breaks at a similar time to when you would at home. Additionally, have the dog bed and all the toys from home on hand straight away to make that first night as pleasant as possible.
Don’t leave your dog alone whilst on holiday
As we’ve discovered, some dogs may find new surroundings somewhat stressful, so it’s vital that they are not left alone in the cottage or anywhere else on your holiday. Your accommodation will no doubt be lovely and any points of interest you visit are likely to be beautiful, but to your dog, they are strange new places, and it will panic them if their human counterparts are not by their side.
Help your dog relax
Now that your dog knows you’re here to stay, they should start to relax. Even a reassuring pat on the head can do wonders to a dog’s mental state, but of course, you can go much further and give them a doggy massage or play with them indoors and out to really get them familiar with their surroundings under your watchful eye.
On holiday: keeping your dog safe
There are many things you can do to keep your dog safe whilst on holiday but many of them start at home. Things such as microchipping, getting pet insurance and making sure his collar contact information is up to date all need to be sorted prior to leaving.
Of course, there are other, more holiday-centric things that can help you and your dog stay safe whilst having the time of your lives. These include safety whilst out walking and also safety in the water.
Read about all these tips in our blog on dog safety.
On holiday: what to do with your dog
Once your dog has got his bearings and he knows where he wants his bed to be when evening comes, it’s time to start exploring the area you’ve come to visit and begin making memories. From the wooded paradises, valleys and mountains of our national parks to the coastal treasures that make the British seaside what it is, you’ll never be short of a dog-friendly day out in the UK.
No dog needs to be left behind when going on days out in the UK. You may decide on locations with mesmeric views such as Cheddar Gorge or the Fairy Pools on the Isle of Skye, where you and your pup can stroll around in the open air or, in the case of Cheddar Gorge, explore the caves too.
Dog-friendly beaches
With such a miraculous coastline on offer, you might find yourself gravitating to the shoreline to experience some of the world-renowned beaches the UK has to offer. Many of them are dog friendly or have restrictions on certain parts of the sand, so you’ll be spoiled for choice on where to leave foot and paw prints.
There are pristine stretches of sand in the South West, including the famous beaches of Devon and Cornwall, along with the fossil-filled bays of the Jurassic Coast. The Welsh coastline is a dramatic one with craggy cliffs and rockpools to explore. The beaches of Scotland are awe-inspiring and seem untouched, due to their remoteness and crystal-clear waters.
Guide to the UK’s best dog-friendly beaches
Dog-friendly days out
Other examples of amazing dog-friendly days out around the UK include English Heritage sites and castles such as the castles of Pembroke, Tintagel and Bamburgh, and if your dog got a taste for travel whilst in the car, why not treat them to a trip across the water on a Windermere Lake Cruise, a gentle kayak excursion or a dog-friendly railway adventure? You can try out the Wells Harbour Miniature Railway at Wells-next-the-Sea or experience the life of the Railway Children at Keighley and Worth Valley Railways, all with your dog by your side.
Dog-friendly days out around the UK
Dog-friendly pubs
After all these escapades, you will have certainly built up an appetite. Fortunately, the UK is packed to the rafters with pubs, restaurants and cafes that welcome muddy boots and muddier dogs (just ensure paws are wiped on the mat provided!) Whether you find yourselves by the lakeside in Cumbria, in a cosy country inn in the Cotswolds, or taking a detour from the coastal path in Wales, you’re sure to find a welcoming pub with added dog-friendly features such as specialised doggy menus, doggy beer and firesides perfect for warming chilly fur.
Guide to the UK’s best dog-friendly pubs
Preparing your dog for travel
Here are some top tips on preparing your dog for a UK break which have been written and compiled by holidaycottages.co.uk’s pet expert, Dr Emma Scales-Theobald.
Loose lead walking will make your trip a lot less stressful for you. Many dogs can walk nicely in familiar environments but get overexcited and pull in new environments. Teaching your dog to settle can help your dog feel more relaxed in a new place. Brushing up on your dog’s recall as well can give you confidence when travelling in case they get loose in a new environment.
Ensuring your dog is up to date on their vaccinations, flea and worming treatment is important to check before your trip. If your dog is on any medication, ensuring you have enough stocked up for the duration of your trip is very important before you travel. When looking for your nearest vet, searching the internet for the one closest to your location can save you time and make sure you get there quickly, particularly in an emergency. For non-emergency trips, it can also be helpful to read up on their reviews, the size of the practice and which might be most convenient for you. It may be worth travelling a little further to reach one better suited to you and your dog’s needs.
Double-check that your details are up to date before you travel in case your dog gets lost.
If you plan to travel much further than you have before with your dog, or use public transport for the first time, do some practice journeys first so they’re ready for the big trip.
Calming products, such as treats, diffusers and collars can be important for keeping dogs calm who are anxious about travelling. Depending on the product, it might be worth starting to use them in advance to give time to take effect.
If your dog gets travel sick in the car, make sure you feed them well in advance of the journey so they have time to digest their food and are less likely to feel unwell. Alternatively, speak to your vet about getting motion sickness medication to help your dog before you go.
When thinking about visiting beach and coastal destinations, it’s important to check any beach bans and restrictions. During peak season, many beaches will not allow dogs on the beach, to keep the sand clean for people. Some beaches will allow dogs, but only on selected parts of the beach, so it is important to find this out before visiting. Travelling off-season can be helpful to give you and your dog more freedom on where you can walk. The beach and a coastal town will also be significantly less busy! If your dog struggles with other dogs and/or people, travelling when it is quieter will be much more relaxed for your dog. You might get the whole beach or walk to yourself.
Have a great dog-friendly holiday
Hopefully, we’ve made planning your dog-friendly getaway a little easier and maybe you'll take our advice on places to go whilst on holiday too. All that's left to do is pack, strap the dog in and have the time of your lives!