The BEST pet-friendly vacations

This is a thread for those who have vacationed with their pets or plan to.

We all know there are plenty of places that call themselves "pet friendly" but really they are just "pet tolerant," with a fee. This thread isn't for those. Instead, let's share the vacations we have been on in that were truly PET FRIENDLY. Have you visited a pet friendly beach, resort, condo? Lets share where the best vacay spots are for those of us who take our furry friends along on our adventures.

My personal top pick is Sanibel Island. Ive stayed in a great condo there with my cats and dogs and they loved smelling the salty air, looking out the giant windows a the pool, gulf of Mexico, and interesting creatures. They ate special treats from a pet bakery and rolled around with new toys. Passerbys gave them love and more treats, my dog went swimming, out to a nearby cafe for breakfast with me and to lunch at a pizza joint, on many long walks, and so much more. The beach is dog friendly..and not all are these days! Some have banned dogs or only although them on the beach for a couple of specified hours a day.

I've never actually considered taking my whole group on vacation.  I don't think they'd travel well since they were born feral.  But it's a very interesting topic to explore.  Good to know there are vacation places that take into consideration our love of our pets!

My group of critters is pretty used to traveling. Four of them love exploring new territory, one likes it but dislikes the drive. When I went to Disney, there was a house for rent for vacationers that allowed any pets with no pet fee, and supplied treats, bowls, toys, beds, poo bags...the whole thing. He even encouraged people to send him pics of the pets vactioning in his home. Pretty cool!

Interesting. I'd never thought to taking a cat on a vacation...?

What are some "must haves"? Microchips? Certain vaccinations?

My cats really do get a kick out of vacationing...Im so surprised its not a common thing to bring them along!

Tips...

Ive never been asked for specific vaccinations for my cats, only my dog (rabies) I recommend staying in a house/condo though over a hotel. (Check out vrbo for rentals). Hotels tend to not actually be pet friendly, just tolerant, and there are a lot of strangers and odd noises, plus little room. Whereas in a home, they have lots of new places to explore. My cats, and dog, LOVE the ocean. My cats noises dont stop twitching at the windows with that salty air!

Back to tips...microchips are a must, just in case. Also, not leaving doors open and making sure any window screens are attached well. Bring some toys along and treats, as well as their food and litterbox. Mine have more thaan one litterbox at home but only use one on vacation-theyre totally fine with it.

The car carrier should be a higher quality carrier. The cheap ones are either plastic (ouch-so hard to lay on!) Or they sides tend to flatten in on the kitty while driving. Go ahead and run the seatbelt around the strap/handles.

You can get a good deal at Ebay/Amazon...PetFlys makes a great one and theres a little less expensive brand that I can check on and post, if you want. Good ones last for many, many trips.(Cant remember the other brand but have it at home) Also, the bigger the carrier the better so they can move around. (Those two brands are larger sized)

Beyond that, I always look up the local vet and pet ER, just in case, and keep their info handy. Make sure they wear collars with ID tags.

Thats it, really. Mostly tge same stuff you do it home, just with a little more excitement for them! Ive never had any issues and you can look up rentals based on if they are pet friendly or not. Some charge high fees for pets, but I dont rent from those places.

I think pets sense that are humans are calm but excited while vacationing and it makes them feel that way to. Mine have gone as far 18 hours away.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

While I think the younger ones would love a house to explore, the trip wouldn't be much fun for them. I'd be hearing pitiful meows the whole way. Oscar especially. He goes into absolute freak-out mode after about an hour in the car (found out when I got stuck in morning rush hour on the way to get him neutered). I was sure he'd rip his carrier apart!

Have you tried AirBNB with pets by chance?

Donutte said:

While I think the younger ones would love a house to explore, the trip wouldn't be much fun for them. I'd be hearing pitiful meows the whole way. Oscar especially. He goes into absolute freak-out mode after about an hour in the car (found out when I got stuck in morning rush hour on the way to get him neutered). I was sure he'd rip his carrier apart!

Have you tried AirBNB with pets by chance?

Click to expand...

Awww poor Oscar.  I'm sure mine would be scared to death rather than anticipating a fun trip, but then that might change after they got settled!  

KittyCort said:

My cats really do get a kick out of vacationing...Im so surprised its not a common thing to bring them along!

Tips...

Ive never been asked for specific vaccinations for my cats, only my dog (rabies) I recommend staying in a house/condo though over a hotel. (Check out vrbo for rentals). Hotels tend to not actually be pet friendly, just tolerant, and there are a lot of strangers and odd noises, plus little room. Whereas in a home, they have lots of new places to explore. My cats, and dog, LOVE the ocean. My cats noises dont stop twitching at the windows with that salty air!

Back to tips...microchips are a must, just in case. Also, not leaving doors open and making sure any window screens are attached well. Bring some toys along and treats, as well as their food and litterbox. Mine have more thaan one litterbox at home but only use one on vacation-theyre totally fine with it.

The car carrier should be a higher quality carrier. The cheap ones are either plastic (ouch-so hard to lay on!) Or they sides tend to flatten in on the kitty while driving. Go ahead and run the seatbelt around the strap/handles.

You can get a good deal at Ebay/Amazon...PetFlys makes a great one and theres a little less expensive brand that I can check on and post, if you want. Good ones last for many, many trips.(Cant remember the other brand but have it at home) Also, the bigger the carrier the better so they can move around. (Those two brands are larger sized)

Beyond that, I always look up the local vet and pet ER, just in case, and keep their info handy. Make sure they wear collars with ID tags.

Thats it, really. Mostly tge same stuff you do it home, just with a little more excitement for them! Ive never had any issues and you can look up rentals based on if they are pet friendly or not. Some charge high fees for pets, but I dont rent from those places.

I think pets sense that are humans are calm but excited while vacationing and it makes them feel that way to. Mine have gone as far 18 hours away.

If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

Click to expand...

I think it's a cute idea to take "the whole family" on vacation including the pets!  I'm just not sure if my pets would agree, lol.  I give Nat phenobarb twice a day so that would be a good solution to take them with me (if they tolerated travel and relocation well).  I actually haven't been on vacation since 2009

When I was little, we always left our parakeet George at home.  I worried about him while we were gone and missed him so much!  I wish my parents would have thought about taking him.  

Donutte said:

While I think the younger ones would love a house to explore, the trip wouldn't be much fun for them. I'd be hearing pitiful meows the whole way. Oscar especially. He goes into absolute freak-out mode after about an hour in the car (found out when I got stuck in morning rush hour on the way to get him neutered). I was sure he'd rip his carrier apart!

Have you tried AirBNB with pets by chance?

Click to expand...

I have not tried Airbnb. Ive only used vrbo and Homeaway.