Taking your dog on holiday in the UK

Most responsible dog owners will have insurance in place, but if you haven’t taken your dog on holiday before and haven’t got insurance this is a good time to start. The most obvious reason for having insurance is to cover veterinary bills but another very important aspect is third party cover. The Dogs Trust recommends Petplan with a very comprehensive website detailing all the different policies on offer. When you have chosen your cottage and destination check out local vets in the area by using the RCVS website listing all accredited practices, particularly if your dog has any special requirements.

A self-catering holiday with your dog should be happy and fun filled and with a little preparation you can make sure this is the case. When travelling your dog should be secured by a harness or in a secure dog carrier or crate, to avoid eye injuries don’t let your dog put its head out of the window or sun roof. They should always be on a lead and ideally get in and out of the car on the safer pavement side, or the back of the car. Take lots of water and stop frequently on the journey so they can stretch their legs and go to the toilet as necessary. Some dogs get travel sickness (try not to feed them just before a long journey), or get very stressed and anxious. There are many ways to manage your dog’s fear of travelling naturally, try Preventivevet , with lots of help and advice to make the journey as pleasant as possible for everyone.

If flying with your dog you will need to check with the appropriate airline on their requirements but they will all insist on a purpose made travel container. It is essential to purchase one that is large enough to accommodate the animal comfortably, they should be able to stand up and turn around, and give them time to familiarise themselves with it before the journey. A blanket or cool mat should be provided for extra comfort. Allow plenty of time so your dog can exercise and relieve him/herself before the journey. Check with the travel company about available exercise areas.

Everyone loves a trip to the seaside, a run on the beach or splash in the sea, what could be better! Not all beaches allow dogs all year round and to check up on accessibility visit the UK Dog Friendly Beach Guide website. Generally speaking you are in for a great day out on the coast but take care if walking along cliff paths, keep your dog on its lead and don’t go too near the edge. If you let your dog go swimming watch out for rough seas and strong currents even if your dog is a strong swimmer. Look out for broken glass or rubbish and use a Frisbee rather than a stick when playing with your dog on the beach, sticks can cause serious injuries. If hiking or mountaineering take lots of water and food plus a coat for your dog as some can tire very quickly and get hypothermia if the weather suddenly becomes very cold and wet.