Tips for traveling with your dog on vacation

Those of us who have a dog at home and love to travel often wonder what's best for traveling with our pet: whether to bring their bed, when to feed them, which destination to choose, if they'll be welcomed where we're going... For all these reasons, we want to give you some guidelines for traveling with your dog:

Tips for traveling with your dog:

• If your dog will be traveling in a carrier and isn't used to it, it's important to introduce and try it out at home a few days before the trip to prevent them from getting nervous during the journey. Teach them that entering the carrier is rewarding and that being inside is a positive experience; don't use it as a punishment, as this will cause them a lot of anxiety.

• Avoid feeding them at least 3 hours before starting your trip. Travel can cause anxiety and lead to vomiting, and if they're in a carrier and throw up, they'll be dirty and uncomfortable. If you're traveling late in the day, it's preferable not to feed them until you reach your destination.

• If you're going to a hotel or apartment, it's advisable to always bring their bed or blanket so they feel calm and don't miss home. Our snoozybags are ideal as travel beds; you can use them anywhere—in the car, in their carrier... they are easy and simple to carry because they take up little space and can be stored in small areas.

• If you're traveling to a new area you're unfamiliar with, try to plan the trip well to avoid surprises, such as finding out you can't enjoy a terrace with your dog. If you're traveling within Spain, keep in mind that most hotels and restaurants in this country still do not accept dogs, so we suggest researching information about the area online. And if you're going to a beach area, it's important to know the regulations for each coastal zone.

• Always keep water on hand. Dogs often get stressed during travel and it's normal for them to drink more water than usual. Keep them hydrated but not excessively, to avoid vomiting.

• If they behave well during the trip, reward them with their favorite treats to make them feel more comfortable. Never give large quantities to avoid vomiting.

• If you're going to travel with your dog on public transport, it's important to know the regulations for traveling with a dog thoroughly. Usually, the websites of the different companies provide information about traveling with your best friend. You can also call in advance to get proper information on how to travel with your dog and feel more at ease.

Below are some basic facts for traveling with your dog so you know the general regulations for different modes of transport:

- Traveling with your pet on the train: dogs, cats, ferrets, and non-poultry birds are allowed. They must be in a carrier with maximum dimensions of 60x35x35 cm. A surcharge applies.

- Traveling with your dog by plane: as with everything, it depends on the airline; for example: Iberia allows them to travel in the cabin and not in the hold if their weight with carrier does not exceed 8 kg, and the maximum dimensions are 45x35x25 cm. A surcharge applies. Learn more (link to our blog).

- On the subway, it depends on the city: for example, in Madrid, for over a year now, dogs have been allowed to travel, but they must wear a muzzle and a leash no longer than 50 centimeters and must only occupy the last car of each train. They are not allowed on the network from Monday to Friday during peak hours (7:30 to 9:30 AM, 2:00 to 4:00 PM, and 6:00 to 8:00 PM). In Barcelona, they must wear a muzzle and a leash no longer than 50 centimeters, and cannot enter on weekdays between 7:00 and 9:30 AM or 5:00 and 7:00 PM.

- In a taxi: There is no official regulation on this, and therefore, more and more associations and companies are allowing animals on board.

Why travel with our pet?

Traveling with a dog is becoming easier; more and more hotels, apartments, restaurants, bars, shops, and other businesses allow you to bring your pet, and in many of them, they are welcomed (dog-friendly), given treats, water, and care. Many hotels even offer special services for dogs.

Take the opportunity to break from routine, discover new places, and if you can do this with your best friend, plan it out and you'll see how in many cities you can share time with your pet.

At tQel, you'll find many things that will make your trip easier, such as our circular beds, which are very light and easy to carry, always with tQel's unique style.

We hope we've given you some ideas for the best tips for traveling with your dog on vacation.

See you in the next post!

WOOF!!!