How to prepare for your pet-friendly holiday

How to Prepare for Your Pet-Friendly Holiday WhAT YOU NEED TO REMEMBER, BEST TOOLS and TRICKS I am currently preparing for our little trip to Wales with our dog, and I thought it would be a perfect time to write a post on how best to prepare for your pet-friendly holiday. I’m more of a person who learns by doing, but maybe someone will find it useful to read about what I’ve learned over the years. Disclaimer: Our experience only revolves around Europe and the US, so I base my tips on those locations, but some of it may be relevant for other parts of the world as well. Alsace wine fields, Ribeauvillé 2023 1. Research the Location While this may not be the case for my trip to Wales, as the majority of the UK is very pet-friendly and regions are fairly similar, whenever I plan to travel somewhere new with my furry companions, I always take a bit of time to research the location. Some important questions you want to ask are: How pet-friendly is this place? I usually try to be quite specific with a city or region, not only the country name, as I’ve found some regions may be different from others. What’s the stray situation in this country? I’m personally quite wary of countries with a high population of strays, either when I travel with my dog or on my own. I just can’t handle the sadness of watching them. I’ve chatted with a few people who travelled with their dogs to more ‘stray-heavy’ locations, and they said the strays are rarely aggressive to other dogs or people. It’s still better to be aware and careful. Do I need any additional checks or vaccinations for this country? It’s always important to arrive in the country with appropriate paperwork to avoid stress and delays. Wherever you travel, you need to have a valid rabies vaccine in your pet’s passport, but there are countries that will require more than that, e.g., tapeworm treatment or titer test. And never forget checking your home country as well. While most EU countries will not require tapeworm treatment for dogs, you will have to obtain it when returning to the UK. Laws and regulations. This will strongly depend on your journey plan, but it’s also important before you start deciding on the details. How are you going to travel? If by train, are dogs allowed on trains in this country? If you’re a museum hopper, are dogs allowed in museums in this city? And if you’re planning an outdoorsy retreat, do not always assume dogs are allowed on all trails. Just to give you an example – Poland does not allow dogs in National Parks (silly, I know). Dog area on P&O Ferry in Dover Train station near Abisko, Sweden, 2020 2. Plan Your Trip Once you know where you’re going and more or less what you’ll be doing (or at least what restrictions you’ll face when you get there), it’s time to get down to more detailed planning. Focus especially on your accommodation and transport. Since pet-friendly accommodation is still much more limited, I’d suggest booking that in advance, especially if you’re visiting a popular spot during a busy period (but you already know that, don’t you?). When booking my accommodation, I usually rely on search engines as they do really well with the ‘pet-friendly’ filters. Once I find the accommodation I like and book it, I then make sure the place knows to expect pets with us. Airbnb is great as you can specify the number of pets same as guests, but with others like Booking.com, I usually message the property directly. Sometimes you should expect an additional cleaning fee for the pet. Of course, if you want, you can go the old-fashioned way and just use Google. Often websites will mention if the accommodation is pet-friendly, and if not, you can just message or call them. Camping near Bled, Slovenia, 2022 In terms of transport, that will require a bit more research, all depending on the mode: If you’re travelling by car, it’s quite easy; all you need to worry about are ferries (if you need one). When travelling by train, most EU countries will allow dogs on trains (usually with a muzzle on or in a pet carrier), but there are some exceptions on certain routes, so make sure you research your specific train. Coaches are much harder; I personally haven’t heard of a coach that would allow pets on board, but again, you should research it further, depending on your location. I will not cover travelling by plane here, as I do not have any personal experience with flying with my dog, due to his size and my tremendous anxiety over putting dogs in cargo. 3. Pack up I briefly covered what I usually pack for my pets when travelling in my post about how to start travelling with your pets, but for the curious, here is my packing list for camping in Wales with my dog: Five-litre dry-food container (I’m travelling by car, so I’m spoiled with a lot of space. If travelling by train or with less space, I would pack it in smaller bags and the specific amount he needs for the duration of the trip) Cooler with his wet food Pair of bowls Walking sachet with poo bags, portable water bowl, and treats Sleeping bag (I just use my old sleeping bag, and he likes it) Raincoat (Sorento hates being wet, and it’s Wales, so…) Treats Toy Muzzle (Just in case) Spare lead Towel (again, it’s Wales, but I carry a towel with me wherever I go) Travel bed (we use the cheapest one of Amazon and. it’s great for trail stops, restaurants etc. I know, my dog is spoiled) Some items that I won’t pack now but I would normally pack on other trips: Passport Boots (whether for cold or hot weather) Warm coat (again, if travelling somewhere cold) LED

Travelling with a cat- a few small tips to get you started

Travelling with a cat A few small tips to get you started Whenever I post anything about my travels with my cats, I usually get a lot of questions: “How did you teach him to walk on the lead?” “How do you take them travelling, aren’t cats territorial?” So I figured it is time to share a few things I have learned from taking my cats on adventures, and maybe they will help you decide if and / or how to start adventuring with your cat.  1. Respect their character There is this amazing quote a heard a while back: “There is no ‘normal’ – it is a lie taught to us by a system so flawed that it is threatened by the awesome diversity of nature.” I believe this applies not just to humans but to cats as well. The first part emphasizes that there is no “normal” cat, and the second part highlights that every cat is unique. Just like humans, every cat is different. How would you describe yours? Are they an individualist or a social spirit? Are they an explorer or a homebody? Do they greet people enthusiastically or prefer hiding under the bed? It’s important to understand your cat’s personality before deciding if and how to take them along on your adventures. For example, while Napoli is more like a dog—he loves exploring and greeting people—Richie is shyer and usually needs time to adjust. We approach traveling with each of them differently. 2. Use appropriate gear When traveling with cats, the gear you’ll need depends on their personalities. Napoli, for instance, loves to hike, while Rysio prefers watching the world from the safety of a backpack. Some cats thrive in campers or boats, while others might feel miserable the moment they’re taken away from home. My go-to is always a backpack carrier—it’s a lifesaver, especially on days when even Napoli prefers the comfort of being carried. Bringing along toys, favorite beds, and snacks can also make a big difference if your cat enjoys them. For camping or situations where they might get overwhelmed, we use a soft pet crate. It’s easy to pack and gives the boys a secure space to retreat to when they need a break. 3. If possible- start teaching them early on From my experience, the earlier you start training a cat with a harness and lead, the better they’ll understand and adjust to it. Just like dogs, cats can learn with training and consistency. Even older cats can get accustomed to walking on a lead, though it might take a bit more patience. The key is to make the experience positive and stress-free, so they associate the harness with good things, like treats or playtime. Remember, every cat is different, so go at their pace and celebrate the small victories along the way. 4. Always listen to them I probably sound like a broken record, but I’ll say it again—just like humans, cats have better or worse days. It’s crucial to always listen to your cat and adjust if you can. Pay attention to their body language and vocalizations; if they seem stressed or uncomfortable, it might be best to take a step back. Remember, your cat’s comfort and happiness should be a priority, so be flexible and patient, and be willing to adapt your plans if needed. I hope this sheds a bit more light on how you can start preparing to take your cat on an adventure. With a little patience and preparation, you can create unforgettable experiences together. If you feel ready to embark on your own journey with your feline friend, be sure to check out my post on travelling with pets and where to start.  Happy pawventuring!

So you want to take your pet on an adventure?

So you want to take your pet on an adventure? TRAVELLING with pets and where to start I believe the most important thing about traveling with anyone—whether it’s your pets, your kids, or your parents—is being able to listen to them. If you want everyone to enjoy the trip, you need to recognize when they are stressed, tired, or unhappy and be ready to adjust. Another key point to remember is that everyone is different. One cat might be more adventurous than many dogs, while another cat will hate the moment you put them in a carrier. Keep these individual preferences in mind before you set off on your adventure. Pets are not travel accessories; they are companions, and we need to treat them as such. With that in mind, if you have a pet who shares your passion for adventure, you know what makes them happy or stressed, and you’re ready to take them on their first big journey, here are a few simple tips to get you started on your pet-friendly trip. 1. Plan accordingly Just as you would when organizing a trip for your friends or parents, you need to make sure that your itinerary is fun and appropriate for everyone. A city break and museum hopping may not necessarily be a good trip for a dog who might not be allowed in most museums. However, if you always wanted to visit that one museum, there might be a fun doggy daycare nearby. Or you want to hike this 20-mile loop around the mountain, but your dog has short legs and wouldn’t manage the whole hike. Packing a nice dog backpack might be a great idea then. But you want to be spontaneous, you say? Be my guest, just make sure that all your spontaneous activities are pet-friendly, or you may end up stressing a bit more than necessary. 2. Pack accordingly While traveling with a pet may be cheaper and easier than traveling with kids, you still need to take some time to think about what to bring with you. Of course, what you need will always depend on where you’re going, how long you’ll be there, whether it’s summer or winter, and whether it’s a city break or an outdoor adventure. But the basics are usually the same: You’ll need your pet’s food. You can do some research beforehand; often, you may be able to find the same brand you use at your destination, saving yourself from packing that extra weight. Next, you’ll need their bowls. I have a separate travel bag for my pets with travel bowls and many other usual accessories already packed in. Some form of bedding is also essential. We have a really cute travel bed from Amazon, and it works very well. Toys and treats are important if your pet is into these things. The last thing you want is your pet getting bored during a long ferry crossing or at a restaurant. Accessories are the items that will vary depending on your circumstances, but they may include things like carriers, backpacks, coats, boots, and paw creams. 3. Book pet-friendly Traveling with pets is becoming much more popular than you may think! About 20% of all hotels across the UK are pet-friendly, and that doesn’t even include private apartments, campgrounds, etc. Many popular booking sites, such as Booking.com and Airbnb, offer filters for finding pet-friendly accommodation. Booking.com is personally my favorite but I always make sure to notify the hotel in the message that I will be traveling with pets. While 99.9% of the hotels we’ve stayed in were very welcoming, we once encountered a hotel that marked itself as ‘pet-friendly’ but did not accommodate pets in the specific room we booked (not advertised, of course). It’s always better to be safe than sorry. 4. Enjoy yourself There may be moments when you find yourself frustrated or annoyed because your pet behaves differently than you expected. They might want to play with you while you’re eating, not appreciate the sight of the waterfall you just visited, or try to say ‘hi’ to every single person you encounter. And that’s okay. Pets, like us, have their good days and bad days. It’s always easier and less stressful to laugh it off, adjust if needed, and enjoy the time you have with them. In your memories, you’ll remember the good moments and not these minor inconveniences. There is this quote that was lately very popular on Instagram:  People say that travelling with your pet will slow you down, but maybe that is the point. And I think this is so extremely powerful. We always keep rushing ahead, chasing the next experience, the next sight. But the pets allow us to just slow down, breathe in and enjoy the small moments.  If you’re ready to take that first pawsome adventure, check out my post on Top pet-friendly destinations in Europe. Happy pawventuring!