Taking your pet on holiday

Finally, hotels, guest houses and pubs all over the country have realised that we don’t like leaving our pets behind. They’re opening their doors to our four-legged friends, so they can enjoy some time out as well.

 

Taking your pet abroad

Many travel companies now allow your pet to travel abroad for a small fee if they are eligible to travel under the PETS scheme. For this, your pet must be fitted with a microchip, be vaccinated against rabies, and be blood tested by a European Union-approved laboratory. They must also have a pet passport and be treated for tapeworms and ticks by your vet. Visit the animal health and welfare section of the Defra website for information on the Pet Travel Scheme or call 0870 241 1710.

 

Preparing your pet

Make sure your pet is fit and healthy to travel. To avoid car sickness, give them a light meal two hours before setting off and make sure they have fresh water at all times. You should plan your journey to take breaks to give them exercise too. If they suffer from car sickness, get them used to travelling in a car before you go on holiday. Johnson’s Travel Eze is a herbal remedy that can help with car sickness in cats and dogs, available from good pet shops.

 

Where to stay

There are plenty of options on places to stay with your pets, from self-catering cottages to five-star hotels. Remember that beaches have rules on whether dogs are allowed so make sure you check with the local tourist office before you embark on your visit.

These guides can help you choose:

• Pet Friendly Places to Stay 2008 (AA Publishing, £9.99) Hotels, B&Bs, country house hotels, seaside accommodation and campsites for dogs, cats, horses and their owners.

• Pets Come Too (Visit Britain, £9.99) B&Bs, hotels and self-catering accommodation for dogs, cats, horses, small birds and their owners.

• Good Guide to Dog Friendly Pubs, Hotels and B&Bs by Fiona Stapley and Alisdair Aird, (£9.99). Pubs, hotels and B&Bs for dogs.

 

If they’re staying behind

Sometimes it’s wiser to leave your pets behind. But finding a reliable cattery, kennel, pet sitter or home boarding operation can be tricky. The best advice is to take your time. Start looking a few months in advance as the best places are invariably booked up early. First impressions for both boarding facilities and pet sitters are important – are the facilities clean, bright and airy? Is accommodation cosy and comfortable? Does the pet sitter interact well with your pet? Will they exercise your dog enough? You need to trust your instincts – if it doesn’t feel right, go somewhere else. Read our full guide to choosing a kennel here.

Dogsit (0870 3500 543) offers advice and contacts for home boarding, pet sitting and dog walking. The Feline Advisory Bureau (0870 742 2278) lists approved catteries and has plenty of advice.