The holiday season is upon us, and the whole family is looking forward to a joyful and relaxing time, and a well-earned winter holiday. But what about the dog? Are you concerned about what to do with your pet whilst you’re away? Don’t leave your best friend behind this winter! There are many ways to make the holiday pleasant for both you and your dog.
Winter holiday checklist
- Make sure your pet’s shots are up-to-date and carry documentation.
- Have medications on hand.
- Secure tags properly and carry vet/emergency phone numbers.
- Think about how you go from A to B, and how to make the travelling nice for the whole family, including your dog.
- Create a home-like environment by bringing a crate, a familiar pillow or blanket and your dog’s favourite toys.
- Keep a regular feeding and sleeping schedule.
- Bring an extra leash, a portable water dish, a first-aid kit and cleaning supplies.
- Protect you dog’s paws from winter and snow. Trim your dog’s nails and the hair around their feet to prevent chunks of frozen matter from accumulating in their fur.
- Consider investing in all-weather booties to protect your pet’s paws from injuries caused by rough terrain.
- De-icing materials like salt can be rough on sensitive foot pads, so bring paw wax or cream made especially for this purpose.
- Be respectful of the surroundings and bring baggies to clean up after your pet.
- Get a GPS dog tracker to follow your dog’s every step
With the right preparation you can make the winter holiday pleasant for both you and your dog.
Where to go?
There are a lot of dog-friendly winter accommodations that offer you a great opportunity to spend time in the snow with your four-legged friend. Here are some of the best pet-friendly holiday locations.
- Austria: Austria is a very dog-friendly country where you canbring your pet in most restaurants. You can do lots of great winter activities with your pet in the mountains of Austria.
- France: France has some of the best winter resorts in the world and is consistently rated as the most pet-friendly country in all of Europe. So why not bring your pet to France?
- Italy: Italians love their furry friends and most of the time, you’ll be able to bring your dog with you into stores, hotels and even restaurant dining areas. Most hotels will welcome pets, although some charge extra fees.
- Switzerland: If you are looking for a winter wonderland, you should bring your pup to the Swiss Alps. The nature is beautiful and the Swiss are fond of four-legged travelers.
- Norway: Norway has many pet-friendly hotels, so finding accommodations for you and your dog shouldn’t be a problem. Norway also has plenty of open space, meaning travelers and their dogs can get their daily exercise.
- Canada: Winter holidays in Canada offer everything from winter sports to Northern Lights viewing. There are many pet-friendly resorts which offer fantastic skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports. From budget lodgings to luxurious resorts, there is a wide variety of pet-friend
ly accommodat ions in Canada. What are you waiting for?
Winter activities
Some of the most popular winter activities for people with pets include snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on pet-designated trails. A winter adventure is a great way to spend time with your best friend plus, it’s a bonding experience that will get you both in shape. But winter activities with dogs takes some preparation, know-how and common sense. Of course, preparation is needed no matter where you bring your dog, but in winter you need to factor in the ways in which cold weather affects your four-legged friend.
Preparation tips
- Pick a good route and be aware of the trail rules: Nordic centers, national parks, farmland, and backcountry wilderness are all great places to take your dog for a snowshoe-adventure (take proper precautions in wilderness, though). Some areas charge a fee for your four-legged companion, require leashes or offer certain trails only for dogs. Figure out the details before you go. If you are planning a route where hunting is allowed, then be ultra-aware of hunting season rules!
