It’s time to begin planning the family holiday again and the kids won’t hear of it that you are leaving their pet behind. Actually, that’s quite alright with you because if you take their dog along, you don’t need to pay someone to mind it while you’re on holiday. However, it also leads to another concern. How to plan for a holiday for kids and a place to stay where pets are welcome. It’s easier to do than you might think. Check out the following tips.
Location Is Everything
Have you considered going on holiday this year to someplace remote enough to be relaxing for mum and dad but active enough to keep kids and dogs entertained? If you’ve brought Peter rabbit along, there is no need to concern yourself but chances are you’ll be toting the family dog. Cornwall is said to be the best of all worlds when it comes to meeting the above-mentioned criteria. There are quite a number of Cornwall dog-friendly cottages that will give you a lovely self-catered place to stay with the kids and dog. You might want to look for cottages at Dog Friendly Retreats who have an extensive selection of stunning cottages if you want to see what is available.
Can You Comfortably Fit Everyone in Your Vehicle?
It is no secret that estate cars are amongst the most popular family vehicles and these typically have room for mum and dad along with the kids. However, will you need to bring along a dog crate or kennel? If so, you might want to hire a larger van or SUV to take on holiday with you.
Don’t forget, you’ll also need to pack the kinds of apparel the entire family will need, as well as any dog toys and special foods for your pets. This might be especially important if you are booking a country cottage retreat where there might be a lack of pet stores in the vicinity. Always make sure you have the kinds of food your pets are accustomed to so that their ‘toilet’ habits aren’t cause for concern. One change in food could lead do a horrid case of diarrhoea and you certainly don’t want that on holiday!
Vaccines for Kids and Dogs
Another thing many parents should look at before going on holiday is whether their kids and family dog are up to date on their vaccines. Your children probably are in the UK, but if travelling out of the country you may need to ensure they’ve had the vaccines required to travel to that specific country. Dogs will need to be up on their shots, especially rabies, and they are now required to be microchipped as well. Don’t forget to see if the breed of your dog is allowed in a foreign land and whether there will be a quarantine time. This is one of the major reasons why so many parents prefer that cottage in Cornwall. There isn’t much to do medically before embarking on holiday and that makes for a much less-stressful time leading up to the happy day.
Search for Attractions Where Pets Are Allowed
If you are really going to make this a family holiday, you certainly don’t want to leave the kids’ dog back at the cottage crated whilst you are out and about. What fun would that be for the fur baby or the kids? Don’t forget to search for several adventures the dogs can attend right along with the kids. It might be a day at the beach or a hike in the park; as long as dogs are welcomed, you can be certain the kids will have a great time.
Sometimes it’s enough just to visit a park where there’s plenty of room for the dog to run when playing fetch and other times the kids love to jump in the water with your Labrador who just loves the water at any time of year. The point is the more attractions and places you go where the family pet can come along, the more it will ‘feel’ like a family holiday. It never does when you need to leave someone behind and that dog is a person too, isn’t he?
Planning and Timing
From planning where to go, where to stay, and what to do, it’s always good to start making arrangements as early as possible. Some of the best dog-friendly retreats might be well booked before your date of arrival. Others may not be close enough to the attractions the kids want to enjoy. Make a checklist of items you will need to bring. Have it all packed and ready days before you intend to leave. Make this year a family holiday where everyone comes along – that includes the family dog. See if it isn’t the best holiday ever.
