Pet Friendly Hotels – Etiquette for Pet Parents
If you are deciding whether to take your dog with you on holiday, it is vital to do your research before you travel about dog friendly accommodation options that are available during your dates of travel and any rules, and fees and policies they might have.
Do your research about Pet Fees or Pet Deposits. Some hotels let dogs stay free, others require a pet deposit that will be refunded when management ensures the room has not been damaged by the end of the stay. Pet Fees can range from $5 to $500 for the night or for the length of the stay.
Only bring your dog if they are toilet trained. If they are not toilet trained, they would be best off staying with a Pet Sitter who has a grassy backyard nearby your hotel.
Make sure your dog and their bedding is flea-free. Otherwise, future guests could encounter a flea outbreak. Fleabites can also cause an allergic reaction in some children and adults who are sensitive to them. Symptoms can range from raised welts on the skin to difficulty breathing. Fleabites can also cause complications in pets, such as allergic reactions and even anaemia from blood loss.
Don’t leave your dog alone. Leaving a dog alone in a strange place invites serious trouble. Scared, nervous dogs may tear apart blinds, curtains, carpeting, and furniture. They may even injure themselves. They might also bark nonstop and scare the cleaner. Book them with a nearby doggy day carer or a pet sitter if you are heading out for the evening.
Keep your dog from barking. If they are prone to being triggered to bark, then don’t bring them. Some dogs can become territorial of the room. Keep your dog quiet, or you’ll both find yourselves looking for alternate accommodation. (Check out these tips for stopping your dog’s problem barking.)
Bring your dog’s deflead bed or blanket. Your dog will feel more at home and won’t be tempted to jump on the hotel bed. If your dog sleeps on the bed with you at home, bring a sheet and put it on top of the bed so the hotel’s bedspread won’t get furry or dirty.
Don’t wash your dog in the hotel bath. Stop off at a DIY dog wash place or pre-book a nearby Groomer if your dog has been running around all day or swimming in creeks or mud. Wipe their paws with a damp cloth if they need it.
Bring your own food and water bowls, or request special bowls. Do not use the ice bucket as a water or food bowl. Bring your own bowls, or stay in a hotel that provides them, as many of the nicer ones do these days.
Be accurate about your dog’s size. Try and persuade them by offering a pet deposit. Tell them about your dog’s obedience training and how good and quiet your dog is. Promise they won’t eat the bathtub or run around and shake all over the hotel. Some hotels and caravan parks only prefer small dogs as guests. However, large dogs are often much calmer and quieter than their tiny, high-energy cousins. Don’t take it out on the staff.
Don’t sneak your dog into your hotel. The hotel might have a good reason for its rules. With the number of hotels that welcome dogs these days, you won’t have to go far.
Have you stayed at a Dog Friendly Hotel? Share your experience below!
