For many travelers, pet friendly hotels are a necessity as they wouldn’t think of leaving their beloved animal at home during the family vacation, or for any other extended trip. Keep the following considerations in mind when planning a trip with your pet, and check out pet friendly hotels in Lancaster PA, like MainStay Suites, for comfortable accommodations for the entire family.

5 Tips When Traveling with a Pet

Check the Fine Print of the Hotel’s Pet Policy: As the title of this article suggests, finding pet friendly hotels is one of the most important things you’ll need to do if you want to travel with an animal. However, it’s not enough just to know that the hotel you’re looking at is willing to accommodate pets. You’ll want to take a closer look at their policies before booking your stay so that you can be completely certain they’ll have no problem with your pet. Most hotels have some specific regulations when it comes to allowing animals. For example, some establishments will allow small dogs, but cannot accommodate larger breeds. Once you’ve found a hotel that will allow you to bring you pet, check for other regulations such as when leashes must be worn, what areas of the building are off limits to pets, the nightly fee for accommodating your pet, and whether or not you’re allowed to leave your pet in the room unattended.

Prepare for Safe and Comfortable Travel: Once you’ve researched some pet friendly hotels and found accommodation that works for you, there are a few other preparations you’ll need to make before starting out on your trip. Ensure that your pet will be safe and comfortable during travel. If you’re going by car, you’ll want either a properly sized pet carrier (not too big or too small), or a comfortable and protective seat cover. If you plan to fly, you’ll need a carrier that meets airline specifications. You’ll also have to make sure that you’ve obtained any necessary documentation for your pet prior to your departure date, such as a health certificate.

Consider Dietary and Medical Needs: Another important part of traveling with a pet is making sure that the animal has an adequate supply of food and water for the duration of the trip. If your pet has special dietary requirements, it is particularly important to make sure that you bring enough food with you, as there is no guarantee that what you need will be readily available at your destination. Finally, if your pet has any health issues, make sure to pack all necessary medications.

Keep Your Pet Happy: Bring along toys and other favorite items to keep your animal happy and entertained. Some pet friendly hotels will actually provide treats and other small amenities for animals. That being said, you should always pack a few things from home. If nothing else, the familiar objects provide a sense of security. A bored or unhappy pet will make for an unpleasant travel experience for all, so plan ahead.

Keep Your Pet Safe: After you’ve seen to any needs your pet might have during your trip, it’s important to take some time to guard against the potential loss of your animal. Make sure that your pet has proper tags that display your contact information. If your pet already has a microchip, make sure the contact information on file is current. If your pet is not microchipped, consider doing so prior to your trip as collars can be lost and removed. Finally, it’s a good idea to have some photos of your pet on hand to aid in recovery if your pet does become lost. You could even take it a step further and maintain a pre-made “lost dog” poster as a Google Doc. (or in your email) accessible from any internet connection, to expedite the process of searching for a missing pet when minutes are critical.

If you’re looking for pet friendly hotels in Lancaster County, check out MainStay Suites in Mountville PA for an excellent stay in the heart of Amish Country.

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