Many animal lovers enjoy an outdoor holiday; camping in beautiful, natural surroundings. Of course, it can be even more fun if your dog comes on holiday with you. After all, a quarter of the UK population own a dog, and more and more destinations are willing to accommodate people with pets.
Camping remains one of the most popular types of holidays for dogs to come along and share the adventure with us. We surveyed holidaying habits with our dogs and this is what we found…
As a nation of pet lovers, it seems that more than 40% of us feel anxious about leaving our dogs behind when we go away on our holidays, whilst 39% feel pangs of guilt and regret if we do. With this in mind, 67% of us are opting for a ‘dog’s holiday’ meaning we’re only choosing to go away somewhere dog-friendly to ensure we get the happiest and most fulfilling experience possible with the whole family.
It goes without saying that you should opt for a pet-friendly campsite, but it’s equally important to research what onsite facilities a particular location has. At Camping in the Forest, for example, most of our sites are dog-friendly, and we provide facilities such as doggy baths to keep your pooch squeaky clean. Best of all – dogs stay completely free! View all of our dog-friendly campsites.
Before you head off, make sure your dog is up to date with any treatments, vaccinations and general health checks. Ensure your dog is microchipped and that pet insurance is up to date and valid.
Once this is ticked off your list, you’ll be able to watch your dog race across the beach or walk through the picturesque forest. If you’re heading abroad, check to see if there are any local diseases to be aware of and chat to your vet to see what vaccinations they might need before you head off.
If you’re going somewhere in the UK don’t forget to pack your doggy essentials:
Dogs can't cope with the heat as well as we do so, it’s important to keep them cool. Make sure your dog has access to a pleasant, sheltered spot (under the shade of some trees for example) and ensure there's plenty of fresh drinking water available at all times, even when on the road.
Always take a few large bottles of water and make regular stops to allow your pooch to stretch his or her legs. Most importantly, never leave your dog alone in a vehicle on warm days, not even with a window open. In turn, be sure to have a nice warm spot for your dog to curl up and keep dry when it rains or gets chilly at night!
Sleeping in an unfamiliar place can be a nerve-wracking experience for your dog if they’ve never done it before, but getting pets used to sleeping in different places from a young age will stand you in good stead for the future (such as a friend’s house or a pet-friendly hotel).
If you are planning on camping, it can be a good idea to get your dog familiarised with the tent in the back garden.
Getting away with your family and your dog is great fun and an experience everyone can enjoy. However, it’s important to make sure you know a few tips and tricks for being a responsible dog owner, especially if you’re in areas where there’s wildlife.
So, if you’re out and about exploring (especially if it’s a nearby forest where there’s wildlife in abundance) make sure your dog doesn’t chase livestock, birds, foxes or even wild ponies, by keeping them close to you and in sight – if necessary pop them on a lead. Please keep your dog an a lead while on one of our campsites as many of them have free-roaming animals.
Unwinding and getting into holiday mode is an amazing feeling and you’ve earned it. Make some precious memories by going on adventures with your friends, family and dog. There are more and more dog-friendly places emerging on to the scene from beautiful parks, dog-friendly pubs and the rolling countryside, there is loads to see and do.
If you're yet to book your camping trip, find your ideal campsite.
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