When we go on holiday, it’s only natural that we want to bring our four-legged friends along with us to enjoy every moment, but finding suitable accommodation can sometimes prove a little difficult and of course it’s likely there will be rules present too. Read our guide and discover our top tips for staying in a dog friendly hotel.
As a nation of dog lovers, we want to spend every possible moment with our four-legged friends. So, it’s only natural that when we go on a trip, we want to bring them along for the ride and experience everything right alongside us.
In recent years, taking your dog on holiday has become more popular, and an array of dog-friendly locations have appeared to make it easy, including everything from restaurants and pubs to dog-friendly hotels.
If you’re looking to take your first trip with your beloved pooch, you may be wondering what a dog-friendly hotel is and what rules do they have? We’ve put together this handy guide so you can get to grips with the usual pet friendly hotel rules, so both you and your dog can have a stress-free trip.
What is a dog friendly hotel?
Quite simply, a dog friendly hotel is one where your dog can stay in the room with you. But it’s worth knowing that not every hotel that allows pets have the same policies. Some may have size limits, breed restrictions or may even have a restriction on the number of dogs allowed in one room.
Additionally, it’s quite common for hotels to charge an extra fee for dogs – this could be a non-refundable deposit, a flat rate or a nominal daily fee. It’s usually a good idea to phone the hotel before your trip and get all the information on their pet friendly hotel rules and possible fees to make sure you’re not caught out.
Tips for staying in a dog friendly hotel:
1. Be sure to plan ahead
Before you book your hotel make sure that it’s actually suitable for your dog. You want to know that there are plenty of green areas nearby for daily walks and for going to the toilet. If you’re going to be travelling to and walking your dog in a big city, the bustle can be stressful for them so it’s important that you can take measures to keep them comfortable. It’s also a good idea to double check that your dog has ID tags with your up-to-date information and ensure that they’re microchipped, just in case you get separated.
2. Request a room on the ground floor
To make both you and your dog’s life easier, try to book a room on the ground floor. This not only makes toilet breaks much easier as you’ll be able to nip out as and when they need, but it also avoids stressful elevator journeys.
3. Make sure harmful things are out of the way
Hotels often provide toiletries or snacks, therefore before you allow your dog into the room make sure you do a sweep for harmful items. Take any dangerous substances, foods or anything they may be tempted to chomp on, and place them safely out of the way.
4. Use a dog crate
Using a crate in your hotel room will ensure that your dog is safe at all times when in the hotel. Not only will it prevent them from dashing out of the room, but if your dog is used to a crate at home it may also provide a familiar comfort to them.
5. Mind your mess
Be respectful and abide by your pet friendly hotel’s rules. Take sheets and blankets with you to place on beds and upholstered furniture to keep them clean, and make sure your dog isn’t muddy before entering the room. Don’t forget to keep the outside of the hotel tidy as well – stock up on poop bags and always pick it up after they go to the toilet.
6. Give them plenty of exercise
Before going back to the hotel for the night, give your dog a good walk to get rid of any excess energy. A well exercised dog is generally less anxious and is usually happy to simply lie down and go to sleep.
How to make your dog feel at home in a hotel
If your dog is happy and relaxed it’ll make the trip much more enjoyable for you both. Bring items that they’re familiar with like their bed - or if that’s not possible, a blanket that smells like home, this will help them to settle much quicker. You should also bring any chew toys with you as these are perfect distractions and will prevent them from chomping on the furniture, which will incur additional fees or fines.
Typical pet friendly hotel rules:
All dog hotels have different rules; however, the most standard pet friendly hotel rules are as follows:
- Non-aggressive dogs only
- Provide proof of up-to-date vaccinations
- Must not have fleas
- Must be clean
- Must be well-behaved
- Must be toilet trained
Can you leave your dog alone in a hotel room?
It largely depends on your dog and the hotel. Some won’t allow you to leave your dog alone in the room at all, whereas others might ask you to leave them in a crate to prevent them possibly damaging furniture or going to the toilet in the room. A lot of hotels won’t have a problem with you leaving your dog alone, but be aware that they might ask you to leave if your dog is loud or destructive while you’re out.
Prefer to have the place to yourself when you go away on holiday? Check out our guide to the top 9 pet-friendly holiday homes, next.