Last year, over 4.5 million people in the UK headed overseas during the Christmas holidays. As we head full swing into the holiday season, more and more people will begin to flock to airports in order to escape the cold and experience holiday magic further afield. Whether you’re heading to the beach with your pup to spend Christmas in the sun or want to visit family in another country and simply can’t leave your furry best friend at home, there are easy ways to make international holiday travel with a dog easy and stress-free.
Ensure Your Dog is Ready to Travel
If you’re travelling outside the UK with your dog, they’ll absolutely need a pet passport and they’ll also need to be up-to-date on their vaccinations. Assuming you’ve got all your bases covered in that area and they’re ready to fly, you’ll want to factor in a few things. First, airports tend to be much busier around the holidays, meaning you’ll need to make sure your dog can handle the crowds and all of the excitement. Second, you’ll want to be mindful of the change in climate if you’re heading somewhere that’s drastically different, either hot or cold. Some dogs can exhibit changes in their mood and severe lethargy if they aren’t used to the new climate, so if you’re going from London to the sunny beaches of the Canary Islands, you’ll want to give them time to adjust to the change in temperature.
Don’t Forget About Your Dog’s Safety
Often overlooked as it might not seem like something too important when you’re focused on enjoying a holiday filled with fun, pet travel insurance is just as helpful as normal travel insurance. These types of plans are particularly helpful when taking your pet abroad to different countries, especially outside of the UK or EU. Some plans even include coverage if your pet strays away during the holiday or manages to get lost or sick. If you’re investing in the right type of safety precautions for yourself during a holiday getaway, you might as well invest in coverage for your furry friend to ensure your entire family is protected and safe while travelling.
Don’t Allow Your Dogs to Indulge in Holiday Treats
While everybody uses a holiday as an excuse to indulge in delectable desserts, buffets and way too much wine, it’s best to ensure that your dog isn’t indulging in too much food that’s not normally in their diet. Christmas dinner will be a particularly tempting evening regardless of where you travel but you should avoid sneaking bits of chocolate, raisins, currants, bones and fatty foods to your pup as these can cause digestive problems and much more. Not only will your dog’s digestive system likely be a little out of whack already due to the travel, but the change in schedule and time zone can affect this as well, so it’s best to allow them to stick to a more consistent diet during your holiday.
Tis the Season for a Paw-fect Holiday
As a dog owner and lover, you’ll undoubtedly understand the wonders of travelling with your dog. During the holiday season, it’s important to ensure that your dog feels loved and is given the proper attention they need and deserve even amidst all of the hustle and bustle. So, when you’re planning your next holiday getaway, be sure to make space for your pup while also ensuring they’re well prepared for the adventure.
