While the holidays are filled with cheer, gatherings, memories, and lots of good food, you can be faced with a dog holiday issue. Sometimes it’s a bit of elf magic and you’re lucky enough to travel with your dog, but sometimes your buddy has to stay home.
Either way, discovering the best way to travel with your dog is essential for you, your pup, and those around you. Also, if you must leave your buddy at home, then you need to know how to best do it for your furry buddy, your wallet, and your stress level.
I always like taking my rescue dog, Henry, with me. But I’ve had to leave him behind a few times. I’ve learned ways to make both as easy as possible for your dog and you. It can also save you money when done correctly. With this in mind, let’s dig in and learn how to travel with your dog during the holidays and how to safely leave your dog at home during the festive season.
Budget tip:
Traveling with your dog means not paying for a pet sitter, dog walker, or kennel. But if you need to leave your dog at home, doing it in a safe manner, means no unexpected pricey vet bills. That can be a big holiday win-win-win for you, your dog, and your wallet!
Traveling With Your Dog during the Holidays
I always think safety first. Taking your dog with you can add to the fun, memories, and help reduce your stress. Dogs are great for reducing stress, which can be a very appreciated asset during the holiday. Also, when you travel with your dog, you don’t have to pay for a dog walker, pet sitter, or kennel.
Here’s how to safely travel with your dog during the holiday season.
Car travel – Make sure your pup is safely contained in your vehicle with a safety belt, harness, or use a secured crate. Don’t forget to stop for potty, walk, and water breaks. Make sure there are leashed dogs so there aren’t any injuries. Henry always reminds me when it’s time for a break. Also, don’t leave your dog unattended in a car. It can cause anxiety in your dog or encourage someone to steal your pup.
Flying with dogs – Check with your airline to ensure that your dog is allowed in the cabin, or what you need to do to make sure your dog is safe. If your pup isn’t allowed in the cabin, then you may want to consider a pet sitter, dog walker, or kennel boarding so your buddy doesn’t go through any unnecessary stress amongst all the baggage and noises in the belly of the plane.
Dog holiday bag – Don’t forget to pack your dog’s food, meds, toys, bedding, ID tags, and vet records.
Pet-friendly places are the best – Book pet-friendly hotels, activities, adventures, and look at a nearby dog park before you finalize your vacation. If you’re staying in someone’s home or an Airbnb, you’ll want to make sure it’s dog-friendly and your furry friend will be welcome. Also, being respectful of the home you visit makes the stay easier for your dog, you, and your host.
Dog Holiday Hack: Before leaving, check out the local vets just in case, and look for dog-friendly activities to do on your festive pet holiday, like a dog park or walking tours. Don’t forget your dog will need a bedtime potty break. So, staying where you can easily take your dog out to pee is essential.
Dog Holiday Care When You Can’t Bring Your Pup
Even though we’d always like to take our pups with us, sometimes it’s simply not possible. In these cases, make it as stress-free as possible for you and your buddy.
Boarding – Ask your vet, groomer, dog walker, and friends for great kennel options, and then research those facilities. Visit the site in person. When you find a site you like, book early since holidays can mean facilities fill up quickly.
Pet sitters – Again, ask for a referral and interview the pet sitter. The benefit of a pet sitter is that they provide care for your buddy at home, which can mean less stress for your pup.
Friends or family – If you are able to leave your pup with a family member or friend, make sure your buddy is comfortable with them and their home. Or if your pup is staying in your home, then make sure your family or friends know their way around your home.
Pro Dog Tip - Create a dog care binder with your vet contact info, any health issues, feeding schedule, medications, your contact and itinerary, and a list of emergency contacts. This type of binder is useful regardless of who is caring for your buddy.
How does taking my dog with me or leaving my pup at home save me money?
You may not think about your stress level being down when your dog travels with you. My stress level is certainly lower when Henry travels with me. For a moment, consider the following possible expenses.
| Issue | Estimated Cost |
| Pet Sitter 5 days with a daily walk | $200 |
| Dog Walker 5 days with 2x/day 30 minute walk | $300 |
| Dog Boarding 5 days | $150 – $250 |
| Knowing your dog is lovingly cared for by you or someone at home | PRICELESS!!! |
Related articles:
- How to Find a Great Dog Walker
- Make Overnight Dog Vacations Easy
- From an Anxious Dog Car to a Calm Car Ride
- Benefits of a Dog Harness
- Dog Car Seat Belt Essential
- Why Dog Crates Are a Must
- Never Forget Anything on Your Dog Vacation
- New CDC Rules for Dog Travel
- Holiday Dog Hazards to Avoid
Pawsome Festive Holidays Include Dogs!
While taking your buddy on a holiday dog-friendly vacation might be the preferred option, there are times when that’s simply not possible. That means finding someone to care for your dog until you return.
Either way, knowing your dog is safe and well-cared for is priceless! I love traveling with Henry. But I also know that when I must leave him behind, there are safe friends to care for him. That gives me peace of mind and makes my travel, including holiday travel, very merry.
Great tips and lots of important points to consider. When I had to leave my pets behind I would always have a pet sitter stay in my house. I would never consider a boarding kennel, and my dogs always being seniors I preferred them staying where they were most comfortable. When I had cats they definitely wouldn’t have handled somewhere unfamiliar. When traveling with them I had them in a pet travel bag or a seatbelt. I’m glad you mentioned never leaving the dog in the car at a rest stop, too big a risk.
Thanks, Hindy! It is difficult to leave them behind. A trusted pet sitter staying in your home is a great option. I agree most people do overlook leaving their fur kids in the car when they stop on a drive.
Its best to do what works for both your pet and your family during holidays! My bestie does all our pet watching and loving when we cant and are away. Which is priceless to see their bonds together. We always refer to our big guy as her boyfriend since the two of them have a bond that makes me envious.
How lovely! I’m so glad your bestie and your pup get along so well and she’s able to pup sit for you when needed. Your are very lucky.
Fantastic tips, I have not yet travelled with Nili but personally think she would feel more secure staying in the house with a friend and less stressful for me in the long run, she is still learning and would not want to take any chances. I am blessed to have friends who would help including her god mother.
I bet Nili would enjoying staying in a friends home more. I’m so glad you have so many wonderful friends ready to help. Henry says Nili needs a cookie.
I love bringing my dogs with me on trips, but I know my mom’s house is an animal-free zone. So we get an Airbnb for longer planned trips and anything last-minute or super short, we leave them at home with a pet sitter.
Sounds like you have a great plan! Thanks for sharing, Tiffany!
With all the horror that’s happening at airports these days, you really have to think about whether or not your dog should join you. If you still want to bring them and you can’t or don’t want to drive, these are really important considerations to think about!
Thanks, Cathy! I really did try to make it as inclusive and helpful as possible.
Fantastic tips as always, Terri! I have to say, there was only one time I *had* to leave my five Huskies (for a family member’s wedding)…and I even stopped back home to check on them in between church and reception (and it was quite a ways out of town)! I also had appointed a wonderful “aunt/godmother” for my FiveSibes when they were young. She is a great friend, and had a farm with lots of land, horses, llamas, and even the barn floors were heated! Yup, an auntie who loved pets. But she came to my house, and loved her time with them and they loved her. She even thought I came home too soon! Other than that, I never left them. Yup, never went on vacation. I didn’t want to – I loved being with them (and could you imagine me pulling up to a dog-friendly vakay spot with five Huskies?! LOL)…I always thought life with them was a vacation. But, I digress, so all that said I so agree that it’s important to have someone or someplace one trusts if they need to leave the dog(s) home. And, as always, I know everyone will appreciate your budget chart! Sharing with my audience!
We always travel with our pets! Right now our dogs are all very old, 12, 13 and 14. We plan to eventually visit Japan and other places, but will wait until our pups have passed and before any new dogs are welcomed in.