Top 5 tips for taking your pet on holiday
A cottage holiday is the perfect fit for you and your pet, and with our wide range of featured pet-friendly cottages and villas, you are not only spoiled for choice across the UK but also throughout France, Italy and Ireland too. Many of our properties do not charge extra for taking pets, so now is the ideal time to plan your next holiday with your special friend. To help you, here are 5 top tips for taking your pet on holiday.
1. Make sure your pet is micro-chipped
Whilst new places are exciting, they also can be confusing for animals. These days micro-chipping your pet is easy and will help get you re-united quickly and with the least amount of fuss and stress. If you haven’t got your pet micro-chipped yet, going away is a great cue for getting this done and will provide extra peace of mind both at home and whilst you are on holiday. If you have already had your pet micro-chipped some time ago, booking your holiday is the ideal time to check and make sure all your details are up-to-date.
2. Prepare your pet checklist
One of the great benefits of taking your pet on holiday is that you do not have to worry about someone else looking after them while you are away. In order to help make sure things run smoothly prepare a checklist for your pet identifying all the essentials before you go. This should include basic things like leads and pet food, but, remember, if you are travelling abroad EU pet passports are required for travel to France and Ireland. Sit down and think in order to get everything noted down and checked off so that you can avoid that sinking feeling half way down the road!
3. Plan your journey with your pet in mind
Travelling to your cottage should be exciting – as you embark with eager anticipation on a journey to your next ‘home from home’. To make the experience as stress free as possible it is a good idea to plan your pit stops ahead of your journey. Try to avoid feeding your pet a couple of hours prior to setting off, and, if you have a long way to go, make sure you break up your journey in places where there is plenty of opportunity exercise your pet. It is a good idea to keep simple snacks and bottled water easy to hand, and for that extra re-assurance, make sure your pet’s favourite blanket and/or toy are close by.
4. Check out the locality before you go
Be prepared and check out the local dos and don’ts as you identify the best walking opportunities in the vicinity. Whilst we are a nation of pet lovers, be aware that certain parts of coastal Britain impose restrictions on which times of the year pets have access, particularly beaches. Avoid disappointment and pin-point where restrictions apply before you go. Familiarise yourself with local pet friendly amenities. It is also a good idea to note down local veterinary telephone numbers ahead of time.
5. Have Fun!
With beautiful countryside in the UK, France or Ireland awaiting your arrival, your cottage or villa break is sure to be memorable for you and your pet. We all live busy lives these days and our holidays are precious but this is special time for your pet too. All those exciting new smells and sights to explore will make your cottage holiday exhilarating for your four legged companion too. Be prepared and take a few simple steps to ensure you make the most of your holiday together. Enjoy!
Visit our pet friendly page for the latest news and information on holidaying with your four-legged friends.
