To holiday with or without your pet – that’s the question. We think there are many great reasons to take your pet on vacation. For starters, you’ll get to spend lots of quality time with your animal pal. Secondly? You won’t have to make the decision of who to leave your cute companion with. And thirdly? Exploring the world with your pet is fun.
Of course, taking a pet on holiday might not be right for everybody. The type of holiday you’re going on and its location will be a deciding factor. For example, if holidaying with a pooch, it’s worth discovering the best travel destinations for dogs.
You’ll also need to know how to travel with a dog or cat safely. It’s also worth considering if your pet is well enough to travel, and whether taking them away from their home comforts would be in their best interests. But no matter whether you're heading home for Christmas or looking for some winter sun, discover the benefits of taking your pet on vacation below.
32 reasons to take your pet on vacation
1. It will provide you with a sense of companionship
From the unconditional love they provide us with to a boost in mood, the sense of companionship we feel from our pets is a feeling like no other. Just by being close to an animal can provide you with some type of emotional relief.
2. It will be positive for your mental health
It probably comes as no surprise to learn that pets can have a positive impact on your mental health and well-being.
According to Kennel Club data ,91% of dog owners said their pooch has boosted their wellbeing. Meanwhile, 61% said they found more comfort in their fur friend than humans. This is just one of many ways having a pet can lower your stress levels.
3. Quality time
A vacation can bring out the best in both of you. Switching up your environment, downing work tools, and putting that out of the office on can give you both a break from the busyness of a usual working week.
This will give you some quality time to focus on each other and get to know more about one another.
4. Meet like-minded people
Whether it's visiting a dog park, a training class, or just a walk in a new area, ticking off pet-friendly plans on vacation will offer you more chances to socialize with other pet parents.
Who knows, you might just make some new friends thanks to your furry companion, and being out and about together can help them do the same.
5. It keeps you active
Thinking of taking your dog away on vacation with you?
Well, you’ll most likely be out and about exploring with your four-legged friend in tow. This can help you clock up some extra steps which is beneficial for your overall health.
6. It’s an increased opportunity for exercise for them
Exercise isn’t just important for humans. It’s important for our friends of the animal kingdom too.
Helping our pets maintain a healthy weight, improve their overall health, and build muscle, a holiday gives your pet an increased opportunity for exercise.
7. Gives them new smells to follow
Did you know that taking the time to allow your dog to sniff around during your walks could significantly benefit their overall well-being?
It might sound simple, but the act of sniffing can have meaningful effects on your fur friend’s mental and physical health. So if you need another excuse to take your pooch on vacation, let this be it!
8. Give them new sights to see
If you want to mix up your walkies routine, taking your dog on vacation will help you tick this box.
We know it’s easy to become a creature of habit and some dogs will favor walking the same routes on repeat.
However, this can reduce the feeling of exploration and novelty for you and your pooch. To help make your dog walks fun, give them new sights to see such as one of the US landmarks to experience with your dog.
9. Make memories as a family
Pictures might fade, but memories last a lifetime. And going away on vacation with your pet can help you (and them) collect core memories that won’t be forgotten any time soon.
10. Deepen your bond
Spending quality time together away from the stressors and strains of a busy working week will help you improve your relationship with your pet.
For example, dogs are highly perceptive animals that rely on cues and signals to navigate their environment. By building a deeper connection, you can better interpret your fur friend’s needs, emotions, and behaviors.
11. It’s fun
Vacations are meant to be fun. And taking a vacation with your pet is no different. Having some time away from screens and the hustle and bustle of everyday life can provide you with a relaxed environment to be in each other’s company.
12. Peace of mind
Nobody likes getting left behind. But if you take your pet on vacation with you, you’ll have peace of mind knowing where they are, how they are doing, and who is looking after them, as they’ll be right by your side.
13. You’ll feel safe and sound
Some pets, like the best guard dogs, can offer a level of protection like no other. Dogs have very quick reactions, more so than humans, and will most often act immediately upon detecting anything unusual. And when you’re exploring a new place, this can make you feel safe and secure.
14. You can have a furry snuggle friend on vacation
In our eyes, there’s no such thing as too many snuggles. Especially because stroking a pet can provide a sensory experience for you both, and help to lower your heart rate and promote relaxation.
To help ensure it’s a comfortable experience for you all, read up on the correct way to stroke dogs and the things to remember when petting a cat.
15. Improved sleep
Exercising and having a balanced diet can help set you up for a solid night of sleep. But another thing that can help, is having your pet right by your side.
Pets, like dogs, provide a certain sense of security. For example, they can bark to alert you if something is amiss. But having them share a holiday with you means you won't spend the night worrying about them and what they're up to.
16. Improved quality of life
We’ve already touched on how a dog can improve your stress levels. But did you know having a pet can improve the overall quality of life?
Providing you with a sense of purpose, lowering your blood pressure, and boosting your mood, pets can help you improve your life in more ways than one and this doesn’t stop just because you’re on holiday.
17. It will help you both try new activities
A vacation is the perfect place to introduce your pet to new hobbies you can do together.
Perhaps it’s going for a bike ride? Maybe you’ve always wanted to try wild swimming. Or could it be that you’ve found a new passion for running and would love to do so with your pet pooch? A holiday is the ideal time to explore your options.
18. It will provide loads (and loads) of enrichment
If you’re looking for ways to keep your dog entertained, nothing quite beats a holiday. The best dog enrichment ideas will help to satisfy a canine's eager mind. And taking your fur friend on holiday pretty much tops that list!
19. Cost saving
Instead of having to pay out for a pet sitter or consider pet boarding, making your pet your plus one means you won’t have to fork out for either.
Of course, you will still have to stump up the cash for any additional pet-related excursions you go on. But you won’t have to pay for the additional cost of an expert looking after your four-legged friend while you’re away.
20. It reduces separation anxiety
Separation anxiety is a condition that occurs when your pet becomes anxious during your absence. Not only can this be extremely disruptive for you and your fur friend, but it can also be difficult to overcome.
But taking your pet on holiday can help you treat separation anxiety. For example, one tried and tested way to reduce separation anxiety in dogs is by providing lots of mental and physical stimulation. And a holiday can help tick these boxes.
21. It doesn’t take much extra planning
If you’re heading off on a staycation, taking your pet with you isn’t as hard or tricky as it once was. In fact, loads of hotels and places to lay your head are pet-friendly and the same goes for restaurants. It’s all about finding the hotspots that work for both of you.
22. Less guilt
No matter whether you have left your pet with your friends, family, or with a certified dog sitter, there’s always a small sense of guilt that comes with leaving your pet behind. So, if there’s one surefire way to banish this guilt, it’s by taking your pet along for the ride.
23. You’ll have more company
It’s no secret that dogs have been named as man’s best friend. And it’s for good reason. These lovable creatures are there through the good times and the bad. So no matter whether you’re taking a solo vacay or you’re doing a one with the whole family, with your pet pooch by your side you’ll never feel lonely.
24. Keep the kids entertained
There’s nothing worse than hearing the dreaded words ‘I’m bored’ escape from your kid’s mouth. But that’s where a pet, like a dog, can help bust some boredom because there’s always something to do. Whether it’s taking them on a walk, teaching them new tricks, or engaging in some good old-fashioned fun with the best dog toys.
25. Explore new destinations
It’s always fun exploring new places – and the levels of fun double when you take your pet along for the memories. Heading into the big wide world with your four-legged companion gives you the chance to visit places you might have not necessarily thought of before, like the dog-friendly area of Carmel-by-the-Sea or the dog-friendly beach, Lake George in New York.
26. It encourages you to slow down
You can always count on a holiday to help you kick back and relax. The same goes for spending quality time with your pet. Along with promoting relaxation and mindfulness, taking your pet on holiday can help you (and your fur friend) focus on the here and now instead of thinking about what’s next on your to-do list.
27. You can see the world through their eyes
You might have been for a walk along the beach before, but your pet might not have! It’s always fun seeing the world through your pet’s eyes and taking them to new places, be it a dog beach, bark park, or long walk through a forest, can help you do that.
28. Just think of the picture opportunities
Whether it’s a photo of your pooch running along the beach or splashing in a lake. When you’re on a vacay, the photo opportunities are endless. Teach your furry friend the best pet poses and we’re sure they’ll take pride of place on your walls for years (and years) to come.
29. It will bust any boredom
We all need a break and our pets are no different. A holiday provides the perfect place for your fur friend to get excited about new things and take a break from the monotony.
Plus, when you’re exposing your dog to new environments, it will help them learn new boundaries, strengthen their resilience, and take their obedience levels to new heights. It’s a win-win.
30. It will give you a reason to seize the day
Both dogs and cats are crepuscular creatures, meaning they'll be most active during dawn and dusk.
So if you take your pet pooch or purr friend on vacation, they’ll give you a reason to get up and go and make the most of the day and your time off.
31. Test the waters
Thinking of moving further afield? Heading on vacation with your pet can help you scope out the area and determine whether it works for you and, perhaps most importantly, whether it works for the fur friend in your life.
32. They’ll thank you for it
As you’ve seen, there is a seemingly never-ending list of benefits that come with taking your pet on holiday.
Not only will they feel refreshed from a change of routine and enjoy more outdoor time than ever before, but your pet will thank you for it. They might not be able to tell you this, but they'll show you their appreciation through all their tail wagging, eye contact, or licking.
Need some tips on how to have a fabulous time camping with your dog or how to travel with your dog? Or if you're looking for expert advice on how to prevent sunburn in dogs, burned paws and what to do if you spot a mosquito bites on dogs, check out our vet-approved top tips.
