Rover and out - Pet travel insurance

If you have previously missed your furry companion on holiday, worry not! Dogs and cats no longer have to miss out on the family holiday. Pet friendly hotels and guest houses are on the increase, and your cat or dog will be welcome at the breakfast table ......

Take your pet on holiday

Pets no longer have to be left at kennels or with family friends when you go on holiday. If you have previously missed your furry companion, then worry no more.

From pet-friendly hotels to doggie hiking trails, families now have more pet holiday choices than ever before. Choose your pet-friendly hotel carefully, and always book before arriving to make sure they have the suitable rooms you require. No longer will you have to look at the doleful expression of your beloved fluffy pet when you drop him off at the kennels.

Pet-friendly hotels have designated outdoor areas where dogs are allowed to exercise and do their business, providing supplies for owners to clean up after their pooch.

Some hotels and resorts even offer extensive facilities and information for your pets (although you may have to read the information yourself if your pet can´t read). You may be given a guide to the local parks, vets, pet shops and even the best places to dog-walk. Some hotels provide special water and food bowls in the rooms, and welcome gifts for the pets when they arrive. Car hire for pets is something which could be considered if they could learn to drive, but failing that, if you are looking for cheap airport car hire in Europe, carhire4airports can pre-book your car to be picked up at the airport of your choice.

If you want to give your pet some real VIP treatment when he arrives at his holiday hotel with you, some pet-friendly hotels even offer a pet room service menu (although I´m not sure if the pets are allowed to use the telephone themselves because of the slobber factor).
Before travelling, pets should be healthy, wealthy and wise. Ok well, healthy, micro-chipped and have up-to-date vaccinations, and a pet passport. Check with your local vet before you book your travel dates to make sure your pet will be able to go with you, and what the regulations are in your part of the world.

If you are thinking of travelling abroad with your pet, speak to the vet 6 months in advance to make sure you have enough time to obtain the necessary paperwork and that your pet has time to receive the proper injections.

Pet Insurance is highly recommended if you are travelling on holiday with your pets. Unexpected illnesses and accidents can happen, or they may suffer from sunburn (honestly – this happened to my friend´s dog).

Before you depart, check any restrictions on particular breeds in the country you are visiting. Also check your airline has approved pet kennels. Only dogs and cats can travel by air, but don´t be tempted to stuff your hamster in your hand luggage. Rabies is a real world threat and should be taken seriously. Some airlines will allow smaller breeds of dog to travel in the passenger cabin but check first.

Pets must be pre-registered before you travel by air to ensure there is space in the aircraft compartments. It is advisable to clean the dog´s ears after the aircraft lands, as pressure changes in the aircraft can cause ear problems.

No longer does will your furry friends look daggers at you every time you bring the suitcase out of the loft (like mine does). Your annual holiday can now be a real family occasion and include your cats dogs, guinea pigs and mice (not sure about iguanas but that´s another story).