With summer in full swing, many Brits will be looking at how they can get away and enjoy the sunshine. With 12 million Brits estimated to be owning pets, many of these will be wondering how they can take their furry friends on holiday with them.
Travelling with man's best friend is on the rise. In 2017, it was found that 287,000 dogs travelled abroad with their owners, a figure which has doubled since 2012. However, travelling with pets is no simple task. Another study found that 76% of dogs returning to the UK were carrying ticks.
Pet specialists, Paws, provide insight into the best places for your pooch to holiday with you:
- Dalmatia - Where best to start than the place that gave its name to the dalmatian. The Croatian region has plenty of dog-friendly accommodation and there are a variety of walks and beaches to let your pooch loose on.
- Paris - Why not take your dog to the famous city of love? There are plenty of parks to take your dogs for walks on and the capital has more than 1000 dog friendly hotels, establishments and apartments.
- Cornwall - You don't have to go abroad to go on holiday. Why not get in the car and take your dog to England's idyllic coast. Cornwall is packed with beautiful scenery and is full of beaches and forests for your dog to explore.
- Wallonia - In Belgium's Wallonia, you can find over 1300 pet friendly hotels and some beautiful medieval sites for you and your furry friend to explore.
- The Lake District - The beautiful national park is a great place to go exploring with your dog. Hike around the hills, take in the beautiful sites and enjoy the views whilst throwing sticks for your dog to catch.
Dog expert and Vet at pet specialists Paws, Steph Wenban, provides the following six tips for when travelling with your dog.
- Keep your dog cool - Dogs cool themselves by panting and evaporation. In high humidity this is less effective
making your dog susceptible to heat stroke. In these conditions, shade is not enough so try and seek out somewhere with ample air conditioning. - Read up on local parasites before you travel - For example, The Lake District will have high numbers of of ticks between March and November which can cause Lyme disease. European countries such as Spain and Portugal have sandflies, which can spread Leishmania, a blood borne parasite. Check with your vet if you need to alter your regular worm or flea prevention methods.
- Keep as much routine as possible - New places and long journeys can be unsettling for dogs. Try to keep some routine like usual walk times and pack some home comforts such as your dog's bedding.
- Print out your pet's most recent medical history - This is especially needed if your pet has any ongoing medications or illnesses. This information should never be needed, but it is useful to have to hand in an emergency.
- Take lots of breaks on long journeys - Give your dog plenty of opportunities to go to the toilet and stretch their legs. If stopping at a service station, make sure that your dog is on a short lead as there is usually a lot of fast moving traffic.
- Pack suncream - If your pet has any white fur and pink skin, for example on their nose or the tip of their ears then use suncream to prevent burning. Normal suncream will work as long as it doesn't contain zinc oxide (which can be poisonous to dogs if eaten), but you can also buy dog specific suncream.
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