Taking a dog away for a sunny staycation can be a wonderful experience, but can also present some novel challenges that owners won’t have experienced at home.
With this in mind Kevin Thackrah, Director of online pet-care specialists www.petpal.com, has shared his dogtastic staycation checklist so you can prepare for the perfect holiday with your dog this summer.
Here’s what he had to say.
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5. Keeping your pets cool
Overexposing your pets to the sun can cause serious issues such as dehydration and heatstroke. Some dogs are more vulnerable to heat than others, including those with thick coats or flat-faced breeds. If your pet is obese or elderly, they are also vulnerable to suffering from heat exhaustion. Try to keep your pets in a cool shady place on those sunny summer days and ensure your pets always have access to plenty of water. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
6. The other essentials
As well as your pet’s usual lead and collar - with the required identification - you should also consider a harness if you’re planning on going for long walkies. Think about your dog’s toys. If your doggy has a beloved toy or a ball that will help keep them entertained, bring it on the trip with you. And don’t forget the bedding - you’ll definitely want your dog to sleep comfortably after a lovely day out. Otherwise, you may not. Photo: Canva/Getty Images
7. Is your dog ready?
A holiday with your dog can be a thrilling experience, but it can cause a major headache for the whole family if your pet isn’t ready. If your dog isn’t comfortable with basic commands such as sit, or name recall, and gets anxious in busy areas you could end up regretting taking them on holiday. As an owner, you should be putting your pet first in all holiday decisions and sometimes giving your dog a holiday of their own with a qualified pet-care specialist may be a better and less stressful solution. Photo: Canva/Getty Images