Hello, my name is Luke and as director of pet relations for The Fairmount Hotel, I would like to discuss something very important to us canines: the family vacation.
Fortunately, traveling with your pet is getting easier. More and more hotels are pet-friendly and big dog friendly as well. I’m proud to say we do not have a weight limit on dogs here at The Fairmount – we love pooches of all sizes. I weigh in at a healthy 125 pounds myself.
Bringing your pets on vacation with you requires a little extra packing. Here are some items you will need:
- Extra leashes
- Food bowls and pet food
- Water
- Toys and treats
- Comfortable bedding and a blanket or bed sheets
- Plastic bags for picking up after your pet
- Medication – some pets get upset stomachs traveling
- Pet shampoo and brush
- Pet crate
Remember to have your dog’s brand of dog food. Changing a dog’s diet, on top of the stress of being away from home, might have an unpleasant effect on your dog’s stomach. Also, chew toys and rawhides are great attention diverters (and they are yummy).
It’s a good idea to have pet shampoo on hand if your dog gets into something. Human shampoo is not formulated for our skin. Also, make sure all the tags on your dog’s collar are correct in case you get separated.
If you haven’t taken your dog on a trip before, call your vet for some tips. If your dog is nervous, talk to your pup in a soothing voice to calm him. If you are calm, it will help your pet be calm. Put them in a place where they can see you and see out the window, but are still safe in case you have to brake suddenly.
Before taking your pet anywhere call ahead to make sure the hotel allows pets and what the fees are. Also, make sure there is a good place to walk them nearby and ask about pet-friendly restaurants and attractions. Here are some Web sites with dog-friendly recommendations:
http://www.dogfriendly.com/
http://www.tripswithpets.com/
http://www.pettravel.com/
Woof,
Luke Tips
