Summertime is the best and most popular time for family automobile travel. Unless your pet is a poor traveler, or your accommodations will not permit it, there is no reason to leave the family pet at home or in a kennel while you are away. Just remember that spending the night at a hotel or other accommodation with your pet is like being invited to someone’s home. If you want to be invited back, then you need to be a considerate pet friendly hotel guest.
Occasionally we hear from a hotel, inn or bed and breakfast that will no longer accept pets. In almost every case it is because they had a bad experience with a traveling pet owner, and now all pet owners have to be punished for the sins of one.
Prepare for Your Trip
In advance, confirm the size and type of your pet with the hotel or motel or bed and breakfast. A hotel may state that they are pet friendly but when you show up with a 100-pound dog you may find that they limit their guests to small pets. Many of them do have weight limitations. Also, a health certificate may be required by the hotel in order to certify that your pet does not have ticks or fleas or any diseases communicable to humans.
Many pet friendly hotels often do not include cats in their pet policies for a couple of reasons. Cats have claws which may be the target of hotel furniture and also cat dander which some people are allergic to. Be sure to ask first before you book. A pet friendly hotel may also accept ferrets, birds, even snakes, but again, ask first.
Request a ground floor room by the exit for easy access to the outside grounds.
Groom your pet before your travel. Not good to leave fleas or ticks behind after your stay.
Checking In
Remind the desk clerk that you will have a pet in your room, and they need to notify the housekeepers. A hotel door hanger can be useful in ensuring that the housekeeper does not knock on your door while your pet is in the room.
Inquire at the desk what areas of the hotel are appropriate for your pet. Also be familiar with the hotel’s pet policy.
Don’t Leave Them Alone
Don’t leave your pet alone in the room unless you are just going down to the lobby or the pool for a few minutes. Consider crating your dog if it is crate trained and is comfortable in its crate. Put up the door hangar or the Do Not Disturb sign on the door when you go out. If your dog is not accustomed to traveling, it is best not to leave them. A barking dog can be a major disturbance for other guests. Remember that your dog or cat is in a new environment and may be unsure of themselves without your company.
If you are going out to dinner or to a place that does not accept pets for the day, then you need to hire a pet sitter. They will either sit with your pet in your room or take it back to their house while you are gone. There are also many businesses that offer doggie day care. Be sure that your pet is up to date on all vaccinations including rabies and Bordetella to use these services.
Take Care of Hotel Furnishings
Keep your dog exercised before settling down in a hotel room. Long walks will give them the opportunity to fully relieve themselves lessening the chances of an accident in the room. If your pet likes to sit on the couch or bed with you to watch television or read a book, then put down a sheet or towel for them to lie on. Otherwise, if they sleep on a pet bed, then put it where they can see you.
If you are traveling with a cat, put their litter tray in the bathroom for easy clean up.
If your pet does have an accident, carry plenty of paper towels with you. Protect your pet deposit, if refundable, and give the cleaning staff a break. Don’t leave a mess behind.
Time for a Walk
Ask the hotel front desk for a recommendation on a good place to walk your pet. Research any pet friendly dog parks nearby. Take along not one, but two litter bags, and use them. Walk your pet often and always pick up after your pet. Many hotels will furnish bags for this purpose.
Keep your pet leashed at all times when outside your room. Don’t take your pet in common areas like pools, restaurants, meeting rooms or gyms according to your hotel’s pet policies.
Not Everyone Loves Pets
When on the street, or in the hotel’s common areas make sure your pet is securely leashed and be aware that not everyone loves animals. Yes, it’s true. Keep your pet close to you and do not allow them to approach others unless you are sure that both your dog and the other person (or their pet) is comfortable with the meeting. No harm in asking
Remember that your dog is out of its environment and may be overly protective of you during this time. Unless you have socialized your pet, it is best to keep them away from other guests.
You and your pet can have a great time on your next vacation and still be considerate pet friendly hotel guests. Who knows, if hotels do not have issues with their canine and feline guests, they may make their deposits less expensive! Let’s keep pet friendly hotels pet friendly!
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