Traveling with your pet can be complicated—but it’s still possible for you both to enjoy your vacation. Rover is teaming up with travel booking app Hopper to offer a free trip for two (humans), with a complimentary Rover pet sitter while you are away. Because the only thing more important than enjoying your vacay is making sure your pet is in good hands. Enter here!
If you’re planning on bringing your pet with you on your next getaway, keep these tips in mind to make sure your trip is an incredible experience for both of you.
1: Book Flights in Advance
Last-minute travel plans make traveling with dogs or cats much harder. When you have a pet to consider, plan well in advance before booking your next vacation. Not only do you need to have ample time to make arrangements to travel with your pooch, but it’s also important to book early enough so that the airline can accommodate your furry friend.
Pro tip: when you’re in trip planning mode (or even just dreaming), put your ideal dates and destination into Hopper and set up a “watch.” Hopper will monitor prices for you and send you alerts for the best time to book based on availability and pricing. You can start to plan your trip as early as you want with lots of time to plan for your pet.
2: Research Before You Go
While your next trip may be a dream vacation for you, it doesn’t mean it’s going to be a dream for your pup. Many important factors can make or break your trip when traveling with a dog. For instance:
- Is the place you’re traveling culturally accepting of dogs or other pets?
- Is your accommodation pet-friendly?
- Is the neighborhood good for pets?
If they aren’t used to a big city, pets might be stressed by bustling streets. Wherever you go, look for good walking trails or dog-friendly parks, especially if your pet isn’t used to a busy sidewalk.
And then there’s getting around with your dog. Does the public transit system allow pets? Can you take a cab or rent a car with your pet? If not, are the things you want to see and do walkable? Are the activities you want to do pet-friendly?
Thanks to the internet, it’s pretty easy to do this research in advance. The more you know, the more likely you are to enjoy your trip with your dog.
3: Talk to Your Vet
Even if your dog is a seasoned traveler, it’s important to check with your vet before taking your pet to a new place. Ask about regional differences in vaccines, for instance, along with any medical concerns involving travel.
Your vet may also have good tips for keeping your pet from feeling overwhelmed during travel and arrival in a new place. If there is a time zone change, you can also ask for their suggestions on keeping your pet’s schedule stable.
4: Check Pet Travel Laws in Your Destination
If your next trip with your dog involves crossing a border, it’s extra-important to do meticulous research before boarding a plane. When taking pets to new countries there are often requirements that involve showing proof of immunization, and sometimes even a quarantine period.
This is also the time to check whether the airport you’re flying into will accommodate your pet through customs and immigration.
The Bottom Line
Whether or not you decide to bring your pet along on vacation, your bond with each other is unbreakable. If your dream destination simply isn’t dog-friendly, never fear. Book a loving, local pet sitter and rest assured your dog is happy and thriving, too.
Enter here to win a chance for a free trip for two (humans), with a complimentary Rover pet sitter while you are away. Don’t forget to share a photo of you and your pet your public profile on Instagram for an extra entry. Caption it with your story of why you need a vacation and tag @roverdotcom and @hopper.
Further Reading
- What to Do with Your Dog on Vacation
- 7 Tips to Get Your Dog Ready for the Pet Sitter
- How to Choose the Best Dog Sitter for Your Dog