Lots of people dream about a beach vacation, but hesitate to take one because they don’t want to leave a pet behind. However, there is no need to settle for a kennel or a pet sitter. You can enjoy some fun in the sun on a beach vacation with your pet. It is easier than ever to find accommodations at a beach that welcome your pets, and a little extra planning and preparation is all that is required to have a wonderful time on vacation with your pet.
StepsPart 1Part 1 of 3:Choosing a Destination
1Make sure you choose a beach that allows pets. Use the internet to determine whether a beach is pet friendly. You can look at a beach’s website, lists of pet-friendly beaches, or the parks and recreation department of the city where you will be traveling. They will tell you about any restrictions on pets at the local beaches, such as seasonal restrictions where dogs are only allowed on the beach during the off season.XThere are some beaches, particularly private ones, that won’t let you have your pet on them. For example, California has some the most pet-friendly beaches in America, but there are still likely some beaches there that don’t allow pets.
2Find a hotel that is pet-friendly. Check websites that list pet-friendly hotels, resorts, house rentals and bed and breakfast facilities. Most accommodations that accept pets will advertise themselves as pet-friendly on their websites.XIf a beach resort has pet-friendly accommodations, then it is likely that your pet will be welcome on the beach there as well.If you are unsure whether a hotel accepts pets, call them and ask. It’s better to know if your pet will be welcome before you make a reservation.Expect to pay a pet deposit. Most hotels charge pet deposits of between $10 and $30 per night.
3Consider a variety of accommodations. When on vacation, hotels are not your only choice for accommodations. Consider a rental house, apartment, or other options that might be pet friendly. You could also try to stay with a friend or family member who loves your pet, and you.XFor instance, camping on the beach would work well with certain pets. This is a good way to keep your pet close and you can find a campground, a beach cabin, or an RV site along many coastlines.Vacation rental homes can be a great option for vacations with your pet, especially if the home is owned by an individual who also has pets. If the owner is used to pets being in the home, then they may be more willing to let you bring yours there as well.
4Determine how you will travel to your beach destination. Taking your pet with you on vacation may require you to adjust how you get to where you’re going. Most small pets can travel in a wide variety of ways, while large pets will likely need to travel by car or RV.XIn some cases, it’s a good idea to prepare your pet for a long drive by taking them on short drives to ease some of their fear.If traveling by plane, you’ll need to check with the airline on regulations for bringing your pet on board.Some pets are just not comfortable traveling, whatever mode of travel you choose. If this is the case with your pet, consider leaving it home. It will have a better time with a pet sitter than dealing with the stress of traveling.Part 2Part 2 of 3:Traveling with Your Pet
1Take your pet to the vet for a checkup. Before you leave for vacation, have your pet looked over to ensure all vaccinations are up to date and that it is in good health. This will help minimize the chance of it having health problems while you are away from home.XTalk to your vet about your vacation plans. Some locations may require extra precautions if there are dangerous conditions. For example, a heavily wooded beach area might require a vaccination against Lyme disease.You may also need to get paperwork from your vet that shows that your pet has been vaccinated. This is likely if you will be doing international travel.XThis is also a good time to have your pet implanted with a chip that will let someone know who its owner is if the pet gets lost.
2Make sure your pet’s basic needs are met while on vacation. Make a list of everything that your pet needs on a daily basis. This should include, at minimum, food and water, but may include things like medications, sunscreen, a leash or travel container, and a surface to sleep on. Just make sure that the pet will have its basic needs met.XDepending on where you are going, you may need to bring all of your pet’s supplies with you. For instance, if you will be staying at a beach that is far from stores, you will need to bring pet food for the whole trip with you.
3Get a carrier to hold your pet that fits under the seat if you are flying. Most airlines will not allow you to carry a pet onto the plane without stowing it in a carrier under the seat in front of you. Make sure the carrier you buy will both fit under the seat and will fit your pet.XTrustworthy SourceFederal Aviation AdministrationU.S. government agency responsible for monitoring and setting guidelines for civilian aviationGo to sourceContact your airline to find out how big the area under the seat is.If your pet won’t fit under the seat in front of you, it’s probably best to figure out a different way to get to your destination or to leave your pet at home. While you can use a carrier as your checked luggage or put it in cargo, the cost of this can be very large and the experience can be stressful for your pet.X
4Make frequent stops if you travel by car or RV. Let your pet get some fresh air and exercise along the way. Stops can also provide an opportunity to give your pet food and water, and allow the animal to relieve itself.If you have a long way to travel by car or RV, consider breaking up your trip over several days. This can make traveling with a pet easier, as they get lots of time outside of the vehicle.
5Bring items that will help if an emergency occurs. When going somewhere with a pet, it’s good to have supplies and information that will help you if it gets injured or lost. With this in mind, be sure to bring items such as a first-aid kit for your pet, safety equipment (such as a life jacket), and your pet’s veterinary records and contact info.X
6Bring toys, treats and other fun supplies for your pet. Don’t forget to pack the fun stuff for your pet too! Being on vacation means that you will have lots of time to play with your pet, so make sure to bring items that will keep it occupied and that will help you bond with your pet.It’s also a good idea to bring things that remind your pet of home. For instance, its favorite toy will have a familiar smell that can provide some comfort.In addition to bringing your pet’s usual toys, get some beach-specific toys as well. A new frisbee, ball, or floating throw toy can give your pet hours of entertainment.XIf you plan on spending time on the sand, make sure to bring items that you can get the sand off of easily. For instance, hard surfaces are better than soft ones, as sand can become imbedded in fabric.Part 3Part 3 of 3:Having a Successful Vacation
1Follow all rules and regulations. Whether spending the day at the beach or in your hotel room or house, it’s important that you are mindful of how you and your pet must behave. For instance, most beaches will require you to keep your pet on a leash or in a harness at all times.Following the rules might actually make your vacation more relaxing. For example, if you are not breaking the rules, you won’t have to worry about what your pet is or isn’t doing.
2Clean up after your pet. When vacationing with your pet it doesn’t mean that all responsibility is gone. Picking up after it, whether that is when it goes to the bathroom or it makes a mess with its food, is still your responsibility.This is especially important on the beach, where many people are walking, running, sunbathing, and swimming.
3Keep your pet hydrated. Being in the sun and getting extra exercise means more water is necessary. Have cool water and a container to drink it from ready for your pet at all times.XMake sure you are giving your pet clean water. If you are not sure there will be a water source available where you are going, bring enough for both you and your pet.
4Protect your pet from the sun. If you plan on spending a lot of time on the beach, remember to protect your pet’s skin, in addition to your own. Pets can get sunburned if they are in the sun too long, so apply sunscreen if necessary or protect your pet by keeping it in the shade or putting protective clothing on it.XIf you are putting sunscreen on your pet, be sure that it is appropriate for your type of pet. For example, dogs should have a dog-friendly sunscreen applied, which is available at most pet supply stores.
5Touch the sand to make sure it is not too hot for your pet’s feet. Make sure to check the temperature of the sand before your dog walks on it. If the sand is so hot that it burns your hand when you touch it, then it will also burn your pet’s paws. Consider putting some booties on your dog or waiting until the sand cools down to go on the beach, such as near sunset.
6Be considerate of others. Even if your pet is well-behaved, you never know how an animal will react in public. Some people are scared of animals, especially children, so just be aware of other animals and people on the beach and keep your pet away from them if necessary.If you keep a leash or other form of control on the pet, you will be able to direct its movements and keep it away from people or animals when necessary.
7Watch your pet for signs of stress and react accordingly. Some pets may find the atmosphere at the beach overwhelming and stressful. If you find that your pet is acting unusually, for instance becoming aggressive with strangers or hiding and cowering, remove it from the beach and take it to a less overwhelming location.It may be that your pet simply needs a quiet break or some alone time before returning to the beach. However, you may find that your pet is not cut out for a beach vacation.It is best to bring pets that have spent a lot of time on the beach on your beach vacation. A pet that is accustomed to the beach in general will be better prepared to have fun at a new beach.
