It’s finally vacation time! But what do you do with your beloved pet? Whether it's a dog or a cat, your loyal companions are an important part of your family. We’ll show you how to ensure that your pet feels comfortable and safe, even when you’re away.
Holidays Without Dogs or Cats – How to Ensure They Are Well Looked After
Which pet owner hasn’t experienced this? Saying goodbye to their dog or cat on the day they leave for vacation is incredibly difficult. If you know your pet is in good hands, you can go on vacation with peace of mind. Here are our tips to help ensure your pet feels comfortable in your absence:
Leave Them With Familiar People
Many pet owners have the option of leaving their dog with familiar people, such as relatives, friends, or pet sitters while on holiday. Those who do not have this option often look for a reputable dog boarding facility.
Cats, on the other hand, can be more challenging to accommodate during the holiday period. Especially if they are outdoor cats, they prefer to stay in their familiar surroundings. To allow your cat to stay at home, consider installing a cat door. The petWALK pet door not only ensures that your cat has the freedom to move around but also maintains familiar structures and a comfortable atmosphere.
What Alternatives Are There to Being Cared for by Relatives or in a Kennel?
If you have a pet door, your cat will likely be especially happy to be cared for by a friendly neighbor. After all, home is always the best place to be! Additionally, there are pet sitters who can come to your home and take care of your pet. Depending on the agreement, this can include feeding, cleaning, playing, and more. Dogs are often taken for walks or cared for at the pet sitter’s home.
Pet care is a freelance profession and can be offered by anyone, so it’s essential to check carefully who you entrust your pet to. Above all, consider the chemistry between the caregiver and your animals. You should also inquire about the pet sitter's experience: How long have they been providing these services? How do they treat the animals? Are the animals viewed as individuals with special needs? What additional tasks might they perform (like play dates, vet visits, or administering medication)? How much time will the pet sitter invest? Do they have appropriate professional liability insurance?
Provide a Familiar Environment
Home is the best place to be – this is especially true for cats, but even anxious dogs feel most comfortable in familiar surroundings. With their own petWALK pet door, your cat can stay at home, and with good care, your dog can too.
Prepare your home so that the pet sitter can find everything easily, providing plenty of opportunities for your pets to stay entertained. Activities can include toys, chews, or even intelligence games. If you want to set different entry and exit times for your pet, adjust the settings on the pet door before you leave so that your animals can gradually get used to the new rules.
Of course, it is essential for outdoor cats, as well as for dogs that remain with a pet sitter, to have access to the garden. There, they can follow scent trails, do their business, and pass the time observing their surroundings. Write a short instruction manual on how to operate the petWALK pet door and provide access to the app.
Familiar Processes
Have you found the ideal holiday replacement? Then use every opportunity to help your pet and the pet sitter become familiar with each other.
Please note that dogs should never be left alone for more than six hours, and only if they have been properly trained. With the petWALK dog door, your four-legged friend can come and go at regular times that you decide in advance, which is great for walks. Show your pet sitter how to use the petWALK door and explain the preset rules. Once your pet becomes accustomed to its newfound independence, it won’t want to go back! 😉
Additionally, provide the caregiver with the following information about your pet:
- What peculiarities does your animal have (e.g., fear of certain people or animals, places where it does not like to be touched)?
- Are there fixed rules for the animal (e.g., no dogs on the sofa)?
- Are there established rituals, such as playtime in the morning, feeding in the afternoon, or nap time at 2 p.m.?
- What commands does the dog know?
- When does it get food, how much, and what treats are allowed?
- If your pet has any intolerances or allergies, how should the caregiver respond in case of an incident?
- At what times is your dog or cat allowed outside, and when must they stay indoors?
- Give the caregiver access to the app for your petWALK pet door.
Holiday with Dog – Tips for a Successful Trip
To avoid stress and hassle, it’s essential to gather all necessary information in advance. Your vacation begins with the necessary preparations, which depend on your destination. Research as much as you can about your holiday location and its regulations regarding dogs. Different countries have different customs!
Health Check
Before you can go on holiday, you should check your dog’s health to ensure they are physically and mentally fit for the trip. It’s best to plan these health checks 3-4 months before traveling, as some countries may require a rabies titer test and possibly follow-up vaccinations.
The Right Accommodation
Have you found a travel destination that suits you, your dog, and your fellow travelers? The next step is to find suitable accommodation on-site. Whether it’s a holiday apartment, hotel, or campsite, make sure that dogs are expressly allowed! To avoid unpleasant surprises, double-check in advance whether you can indeed bring your dog. Be aware that additional fees may apply for dogs in hotels, and some establishments may impose restrictions based on breed or size.
If dogs are allowed, the next step is to check for sufficient opportunities to run around in the area. A holiday home with a garden or at least a ground-floor holiday apartment with a little green space out front is highly recommended. A camping holiday with a tent, caravan, or motorhome, where your dog can spend plenty of time in the fresh air, is also a great idea. It’s also helpful to find out in advance if there’s a vet nearby in case of emergencies. And who will take care of your dog if you want to explore without them? Check if local dog care services are available.
Package Holidays with Dogs
A relatively new trend is package holidays and guided day trips for dogs and their owners. Simply book and enjoy the experience without worrying about anything else - this makes your holiday even more enjoyable. Offers are vetted by specialized tour operators to ensure they are dog-friendly. The advantage? No nasty surprises or included activities where dogs are not allowed.
For the rest of your free time, you’ll receive plenty of tips on excursion destinations that are a real treat for dog owners. Austria is an ideal destination for a holiday with your beloved pet. Would you like to spend a few relaxing days in Austria with your dog? Check out www.velaontour.com; all offers have been tested by Ulrike Miestinger and her golden retriever Pepa, who have also accompanied several excursions. You can find current travel dates in their newsletter.
Dog Hotels
More and more accommodations are specializing in overnight stays that offer wellness for both animals and humans. The best dog hotels provide a variety of dog-friendly services and create a welcoming experience for pets. Some facilities offer not only dog walking services but also daycare, training courses, guided dog walks, fenced exercise areas, dog bathing areas, grooming services, and veterinary care.
Traveling Abroad with Your Dog
When traveling abroad, it’s crucial to find out the entry requirements. Which vaccinations are required in your destination country? Is microchipping mandatory? Do other treatments, like deworming, need to be performed?
When traveling to non-EU countries, consider the re-entry regulations. What diseases are present in the country that could be dangerous for your dog? What pre- and post-treatment measures should be taken? When traveling internationally (including to non-EU countries), pets require an EU pet passport, which can be obtained from any veterinarian. This passport shows that the animal is microchipped and has been vaccinated against rabies.
Checklist – What Does Your Dog Need on Vacation?
Dogs also have their own luggage when they travel. To be prepared for all eventualities, there are a few essentials that should not be overlooked. Whether it’s sun protection for a summer vacation or thick coats for winter, the contents of your dog’s suitcase should be adapted to the season and climate of your destination.
When you book with VelaonTour, you will receive a travel checklist prepared in collaboration with a veterinarian.
First Aid Kit for Dogs
It’s important to check your dog’s insurance coverage in advance. Since injuries or illnesses cannot be predicted and may occur while on vacation, a basic first-aid kit is essential. The following items should be included:
- Disinfectants for initial wound treatment
- Thermometer
- Antidiarrheal medication
- Gauze bandages for dressings and bleeding wounds
- A pair of flat tweezers for removing splinters
- A tick removal tool
- Flea spray or powder
What Else Needs to Be in the Dog Suitcase Besides the EU Pet Passport?
- Chest harness (it’s best to have a contact number on it!)
- Leash
- Muzzle
- Dog food
- Chews
- Dog bowl and drinking bottle (Tip: consider a foldable water and food bowl for on the go)
- Dog blanket or bed
- Dog waste bags
- Brush
- Dog towel
- …and of course, plenty of treats! 🙂
If your four-legged friend knows and likes a mobile transport box , he can travel comfortably in it and at the same time the box serves as a retreat in the hotel room.
Traveling with a Dog: The Right Means of Transport
Car Travel
The best option for a holiday trip is the car, as your dog is already accustomed to it. The most important consideration is ensuring your dog is safely secured in the back of the vehicle. Seat belts, barriers, or transport crates not only protect both dogs and owners but are also required by law in most countries. TÜV-tested transport crates are the safest choice for this purpose. Ideally, you should begin acclimating your dog to traveling in the crate several weeks before your trip. If your dog isn’t used to car travel, it’s essential to train them in advance.
Tip: To make the most of your practice drives, associate these trips with positive experiences, gradually increasing the duration.
It’s advisable not to feed large meals before departure and to plan regular breaks for drinking and walking during the journey. In warmer weather, ensure the temperature in the car is comfortable. To protect against harsh sunlight, consider installing sunshades on the windows. If you need to stop for a meal, never leave your dog in the car! The risk of heat stroke is far too great during summer.
Air Travel
Flying can be stressful for most dogs—after all, it’s not an everyday occurrence! You must check in advance whether the airline permits animals to be transported and under what conditions. Some airlines allow smaller dogs (up to 8 kg) to travel in the cabin in a transport crate.
Before deciding to fly, consider whether it’s reasonable for your dog. Is your four-legged friend healthy? Can they stay alone in a transport crate and remain calm in the presence of unfamiliar animals and in a noisy environment? Ensure your dog is physically and mentally stimulated before the flight and has the opportunity to relieve themselves. Your furry companion should only eat a small meal the day before, and it's best to limit food intake as much as possible on the day of the flight.
Tip: Chewing and licking in the transport crate can help equalize pressure during the flight and have a calming effect!
Public Transportation
Whether it’s a bus, train, cable car, or gondola, dogs are generally allowed on all forms of public transport, but they must be kept on a leash and muzzled at all times. It’s essential to show respect for other passengers by ensuring your dog does not disturb or annoy them.
Very small dogs in a crate and service dogs registered under a disability pass can travel for free on most trains in Austria. If your dog is not in a crate, you’ll need to pay 10% of the full price (equivalent to a standard ticket), with a minimum charge of 2 euros. In this case, dogs must remain leashed and muzzled, and your furry friend should only sit on the floor under your supervision. Be sure to check the relevant connections in advance!
Arriving at Your Destination
It’s essential to take your dog for a walk as soon as you arrive. After that, make your dog comfortable in the hotel room, holiday home, or campsite by removing any items they could potentially damage. Offer your furry friend water and some food, allowing them to settle in and rest without overwhelming them after the long journey.
Once the initial stress has subsided and both you and your canine companion are feeling at ease, it’s time to explore the surroundings and enjoy your holiday together!
Michaela Strohmayer
The recommendations come from Michaela Strohmayer, a qualified dog trainer in animal welfare and a state-appointed therapy dog examiner. If you’re looking for someone with experience and the right skills to help you and your dog become a true team, be sure to visit her website.
