Summer Travel Planned? Prep for a Hotel Stay with the Family Dog

(photo credit: New Africa / shutterstock.com)

Our pets are family, and just like with kids, we wouldn’t dream of excluding them when vacation time rolls around. And whether we’re off on a weekend getaway or a longer, cross-country journey, hotels can often factor into these travel plans.

Yet unlike when we bundle up the pooch and take them RVing or to a friend’s cottage, a hotel brings a wealth of other concerns. To keep things comfortable for your pet, hotel management, other guests, and also for your own peace of mind, a little pre-prep goes a long way.

Thinking Ahead Keeps Things Seamless

Picking the Right Hotel

Pet-friendly hotels and motels are no longer a novelty. Recognizing the rapidly rising number of travellers who want to bring the fur kid along, the hospitality industry was quick to – quite literally – take steps to accommodate this burgeoning market.

But zeroing in on the best pet-friendly hotel for your extended family requires a little research. For example, if your dog needs long or frequent walks, look for one that is located close to walking trails, parks, or leash-free options. There will be an added fee for bringing your pet, and it will vary from hotel to hotel. Similarly, weight restrictions will be in play, as well as the number of pooches you’re permitted to bring in. If travelling on a budget, you may want to shop for the lowest rates and for properties that have a flat fee versus per-pet fee.

When You Arrive

So, you’ve chosen your hotel and are ready to start packing that suitcase. Know that there will be rooms already designated for pet accommodation to ensure future guests won’t be subjected to potential allergy triggers. But even pre-assigned rooms can include options. So, here are a couple of tips for getting the best possible space for you and your pet.

• Ask for a main-floor room where you have easy access to the outdoors. This makes potty breaks quick (important in the middle of the night) and avoids the need for elevators or passing through a crowded lobby.
• If possible, choose a room at the end of a hall. Away from ice machines, elevators, and other noisy, high-traffic areas that can agitate your dog when you’re not around.
• Once you settle in, plan to spend a couple of hours with your pooch. Walk outdoors, cuddle in the room… take the time to help him become familiar with this new space. Especially if you plan to leave him there on his own at some point during the stay.

Room Set Up

The odds are you will be leaving your room from time to time and sometimes, for more than a couple of hours. When our pets need to stay behind, we all want to make sure they’re comfortable and feeling secure in these unfamiliar surroundings. Here’s how you do that:

Be sure to place the Do Not Disturb or the Pet-In-Room signs on the bedroom door. This means he won’t be frightened when housekeeping staff suddenly enter.

If you already have a portable crate, bring it along and set it up for when you’re not around. Providing him with a familiar safe place he can retreat to when anxious delivers instant comfort. If you don’t have one, consider something like this soft-sided double-door dog crate from Amazon Basics. It’s lightweight, ventilated, and folds flat for easy packing.

Pet monitors like this option from Furbo are a great way to track the activity levels and eating habits of older or ailing dogs. But it’s also an ideal choice when travelling. Visually monitor your pet’s adjustment to new surroundings right off your cell phone. Talk to him, call him over to the monitor for treats and help calm him if anxious.

Never tried a white noise machine before? You might be surprised at how effective they are at cancelling out all those sounds that can set an anxious dog off. This pint-sized option from Magicteam is easy to pack and simple to set up, plus it lets you choose the sound… a babbling brook, gentle rain, a roaring ocean, or a crackling bonfire.

Whether walking through a hotel lobby, across a guestroom carpet, or simply climbing into the back seat of your car, clean paws are always a preferred option. So, plan to stock up on dog paw wipes and keep them handy. We love this hypoallergenic, deodorizing option from Earth Rated. Unscented and hydrating, they’re perfect for all those rainy day outings.

Comfort comes with familiarity, and bringing your dogs favorite blankets and toys delivers big-time confidence when you’re not around. But if your hotel stay is for more than a couple of nights, you’ll want a ready supply of clean, cozy blankets he can snuggle into. Consider this six-pack of double-sided fleece dog blankets that let you swap out dirty, drooled-on options with something clean and fresh. Tip: unpack and let your pooch experience the scent and feel of these blankets to build familiarity.

Even if you never use them at home, a ready supply of large-size pee pads is invaluable. New sights, sounds, and smells can cause your pooch to become anxious, and even if you leave him for only short periods, it can be enough to cause him to urinate or defecate to create a familiar scent. Yes, ick, but true.

Crates, pet monitors, and white noise machines may all be new tools to your pooch, so get him used to them beforehand. And at the end of the day, what’s important during this family getaway, is that you explore the area as a family, so check out walking routes the hotel is sure to have.