Going on vacation with your dog is a great way to spend time with your best friend. However, not all dogs adapt quickly to their new surroundings so at first, they may not have as much fun as you.

But once you start doing a few things to make the change easier, they will be wagging their tails like there’s no tomorrow. 

Here are 5 ways to take care of your dog while traveling.

1. Keep Up With The Regular Routine

Going on vacation with your dog is a great way to bond and spend some quality time together. But for those of you that are going on vacation for a break (and perhaps get away from that same old routine), you should know that your dog won’t appreciate the change as much as you.

No matter where you’re going, try and get into the same routines as you would back home. This includes things like taking them for walks, feeding them and taking them for a toilet break all around the same sort of time. 

For example, if you’re going to an oceanside resort and they need an evening walk, take them along the beach. This works both ways: you get the relaxing vibes of an empty beach to take in the ocean breeze while your dog gets all the exercise they need.

On the other hand, if you’re going on a city break, a nice morning walk around town allows you to explore what the place has to offer while your dog stays happy knowing they’re getting some time outside to stretch their legs.

2. Keep Their Diet The Same

The next important way to take care of your dog while traveling is ensure they are on the same diet as back home. Going abroad may give you the chance to explore some exciting, exotic foods but sudden changes to a dog’s diet can give them an upset stomach. The last thing you need is for them to get ill.

So, there are a couple of ways you can ensure they stay on track.

First, head to the store and stock up enough to last you for the entire time you’re away. You’ll probably need to pack them in a suitcase so make sure you have one that’s large enough. Remember to consider all their meals.

If you’d prefer to pack light, make sure to do some research into where you’re staying and look for a local store or supermarket that sells very similar foods to what they’re eating already. Don’t be afraid to splash out even if it costs a little extra than back home. At the end of the day, you can’t put a price on health.

3. Pack A Familiar Smelling Item 

This is really important to help your dog feel safe in their new environment. Pack a familiar smelling item and place it somewhere that they’ll spend a lot of their time in, such as their bed in their special dog carrier as seen on giftwits.com. It could be a favorite chew toy, a blanket or even part of the bedding they sleep in back home. 

The more secure they feel, the more likely that they will adapt to the new surroundings. When they’re having a good time, it’s impossible for you not to. Happy dogs mean a happy you.

It may be a good idea to pack a couple of such items. You could have one you always keep in their bed, another that you put in the carrier and have an extra one in your wardrobe for peace of mind. Plus, it always helps to have a spare just in case you or your dog lose one. 

4. Allow Your Dog To Explore

Just as they need something similar for security, make sure you allow your dog plenty of time to explore your new area. They will be less likely to pine and encourage you to take them back to your room – or even go back home.

This way to take care of your dog while traveling goes hand in hand with keeping them up with the same routine. On the first couple of walks, try extending the walking time for a little longer than usual so they get a real feel of the place.

Of course, this also means that you must have some essentials on you. Make sure you have a leash, a bag to collect their business and a dog water bottle to keep them hydrated. The water bottle becomes particularly important if you’re going somewhere hotter than what they’re used to.

Plus, this gives you an awesome chance to check out the area yourself. You may discover some hidden secrets that the tourist guides miss, only making your vacation even better than you envisaged.

5. Give Them Plenty Of Time To Rest

The final way to take care of your dog while traveling is to ensure you give them plenty of time to rest and recuperate. Dogs may be very active animals but they can’t quite keep up with humans.

Rest is just as important as exercise for a dog and this shouldn’t be ignored while you’re on vacation. It gives them the time they need to process all the new information they’ve learned about their new environment.

They should also have somewhere quiet to rest and where they won’t be disturbed. Create a section in your accommodation dedicated to their alone time that they can just sleep and recover from the day’s activity. Build a corner in your bedroom so they know you’re nearby, or give them more space in the living room.

One common sign that your dog is tired is when they start to misbehave more than usual. It’s similar to how a toddler reacts to too little sleep or overstimulation.

Conclusion

These 5 ways to take care of your dog while traveling ensures that both of you have the best possible time. There’s nothing like going on vacation with a dog, so getting into these habits will go a long way to forging memories that will last for a lifetime.