Brits have revealed their biggest decision when going on holiday is whether they should bring their pets. New research shared that some owners cancel their holidays altogether due to the guilt
New research has revealed that Brits hate going on holiday without their dogs – and even consider cancelling their plans if the vacation isn’t pet friendly.
Dog food brand Cesar has shared that 76 per cent of owners wish they could take their furry friends on holiday. Sadly, accommodation suitable for pets isn’t as easy to come by as you may think – with more than half ( 53 per cent ) admitting that they struggle to find something pet-friendly.
Owners said they feel guilty about leaving their dog’s back at home, with 55 per cent switching or axing their original plans. In an ideal world, people said they would take their dog somewhere which allows them to roam free. It comes as children ‘chase sheep off cliff’ before turning on shocked passers-by.
According to the research, visiting a beach or allowing dogs to swim in the sea was viewed as a dream itinerary at 51 per cent. Meanwhile, a countryside hike or forest walk came in at 43 per cent, a dog-friendly road trip was ranked at 41 per cent. A stay in a cosy cabin or cottage was listed at 34 per cent, without forgetting the very important playdate with other dogs at 28 per cent.
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To help those who want to holiday with their hound, Cesar has teamed up with TripAdvisor to launch the Ulti-mutt Bucket List Dog Travel Guide. It includes pet-welcoming accommodation and experiences that humans and their four-legged friends can enjoy together.
Stephen Judson, Senior Principal Client Partner at TripAdvisor said: “We’re already the go-to for millions of travellers looking for trusted recommendations. By collaborating with Cesar, we’re helping even more people feel confident about travelling with their dogs. From finding the perfect dog-friendly cottage to discovering that beach café where your pup gets their own little treat, we want to take the guesswork out of planning and help make holidays better for dogs and humans alike.”
Apart from accommodation, owners face a number of challenges when travelling with their pet including issues with transport ( 35 per cent ) and dogs getting stressed or anxious (30 per cent). Even the packing stage poses challenges, with 60 per cent of owners having forgotten a vital item for their dog, such as poo bags (42 per cent ), food or water bowls (29 per cent), enough meals (26 per cent) or their dog’s favourite toy (25 per cent).
To help deal with dog-related holiday stress, Dr Tammie King, Pet Behaviourist at Waltham Petcare Science Institute, has several top tips to ensure both owners and hounds enjoy their time away from home. “Get your dog used to being in the car when stationary by feeding favourite treats or a meal, then slowly building up the journey duration before you commit to a long trip,” she says. “Familiarity helps reduce travel-related stress.”
Explaining how to pack for your pet she adds: “Keep a checklist of your dog’s key items in a notebook or on your phone to make prep stress-free. Don’t forget comfort items like their bed or favourite toy, and ensure you bring enough food and water, as well as bowls, and any prescription medication.”
It’s also a great idea to keep microchip details up to date and have an ID tag with your contact details attached to their collar. If a dog goes missing in an unfamiliar place it will be much easier for others to return your hound home safe and sound. Most important though is to choose your destination wisely – you need a holiday spot with secure outdoor spaces for walks and pet-friendly facilities.
If you need a helping hand to choose where to go, you can find top-rated UK dog destinations, and find travel tips here.