Traveling with cats and dogs as well as staying at a hotel often requires you to take certain preparation measures to ensure everything run smoothly.
Most dogs are excited about visiting new places. In contrast, your cat is not likely to be excited about the idea of moving from one place to another.
Different hotels have different policies regarding accommodating pets and therefore you should look for pet-friendly hotels before traveling to your destination city. When booking, you should put in mind that pet friendly doesn’t always translate to cat friendly; this is heartbreaking news for cat lovers but the truth is that Cat-friendly hotel rooms are very hard to find.
We’ve saved you the hassle of finding these hotels; here are some pet-friendly hotel chains that welcome cats: Hilton Hotels, La Quinta Hotels, Red Roof Inns, Drury Inn hotels, Kimpton Hotels, Affinia Hotels, Loews Hotels, W Hotels and Motel 6.
Finding Pet-Friendly Hotels
You can always call or check out the hotel’s reservation website to find out if animals are allowed. Pet-friendly hotels often have rules and you should look into them to see if they match with your pet; for instance you might be asked to provide proof of your pet’s medical history or other records.
Hotel Fees for Pets
You should always inquire about pet fees before booking a hotel; also find out if they offer a refund portion upon checkout. Most hotels will ask for an extra fee for pets to cover any damages or cleaning at departure.
Leash and Crate Rules for Pets
One of the main requirements you should expect from pet-friendly hotels is for you to secure your pet on a leash while moving around the hotel. The pet has to be placed inside a secure crate if the pet will be in the room unattended; this is especially important since housekeeping staff might need to enter the room while the owner is not present. When you leave the room, you can turn on the television to make your pet feel more at home.
Identification tags
Before traveling with cats and dogs, it is important that you ensure that your pet has identification tags; you should confirm that the information on the tag is correct. Some owners also use microchips. This is information will help you trace your beloved pet if you happen to get separated.
Pets and especially cats have been known to get weird and uneasy when they’re in unfamiliar places, they can run away you if you let them out of the carrier.
Note: when traveling with cats and dogs, never leave them alone in a car. An enclosed car can heat up quickly and dangerously, even when it’s cold outside.
Hotel Amenities offered to Pets
When booking, you should ask if the hotel offers special treatment for pets; for instance, some offer water bowls and food during the stay. Others welcome pets at the check-in just like other guests.
Breed/ Size limitations
Some hotels have restrictions about the type of breeds and/or size of the pet they can accommodate. To ensure that your pet is within the restriction, call or check the hotel’s website before booking. It is also advisable to get the name of the hotel employee assisting you for reference purposes.
Staying in hotels with your dog
Each dog has weaknesses and it is important you know them before you take him to a hotel; for instance, if your dog barks a lot at home, you should consider staying around people he knows or in a quieter place like in a rental property, bed and breakfast or cabin instead of a hotel.
After establishing that your dog can handle a hotel, you should observe the following measures:
Inspect the room
Immediately after entering your hotel room, you should inspect the place carefully to ensure that there is nothing that can harm your dog. Before you allow your dog to run around, also make sure that housekeeping staff or the previous guests didn’t leave anything like stray pills behind.
Choose the right room
The ground floor is the best choice because the elevator can cause stress to a dog that is not used to it, your dog will have a shorter trip to the door when it’s potty time and it’s much easier to carry stuff to your room. If your dog barks at noises, it’s advisable that you should stay away from the elevator.
The ground floor is also good if your dog likes to wrestle with his buddy, jump from bed to bed and drop stuff because he or she is less likely to disturb the neighbors.
Take care of your dog’s mess
Ensure you carry a lot of bags to pick up poop, you will require them when taking your dog out to potty on hotel grounds. Also look for a proper outdoor receptacle to deposit it.
Remember to come with a blanket or sheet from home to toss on furniture and the bed your dog will lie on. This is a solution for shedding coat and muddy paws.
Play it safe
It’s advisable for you to leave your phone number with the front desk even if you are leaving your room for a short while, just in case your dog gets upset and starts making annoying noises like howling, crying and barking.
Before opening your room’s door, always remember to fasten the leash to your dog’s collar; this will prevent him from running inside or outside the hotel. It is common occurrence that even a polite dog who knows to wait before exiting an open door can dash when in an unfamiliar and possibly stressful place.
Note: traveling can make your dog anxious or overstimulated and the noises he or she makes can even be a sign that your dog is stressed.
Staying in hotels with your cat
Your cat will hide in your room
Yes, you heard that right; expect your cat to look for the smallest spaces to hide. Before you let your cat loose in the room, do a sweep and block all entrances to places you can’t reach, like behind or under the bed.
Use the bathroom to make the cats comfy
During bedtime, it is easier to keep the cats in the bathroom overnight. Your cat is less likely to damage anything because he or she is contained. It’s also easy to corral the cat when it’s time to leave.
Allow the cat to come out of the carrier; however, the carrier should remain in the bathroom to create a “familiar” environment. To create some separation, your cats’ sleeping and eating area should be away from the litter box. Put the litter box in the tub.
Note: your cat is likely feel more secure in that smaller space.
The cat will not use the litter box when traveling
It might sound like a bright idea to offer the litter box to your cat during your journey but he or she will feel different. Expect your cat to ignore the roadie litter box. It is also worth noting that it is impossible to really remove all the cat litter once it spills on the floor of your car.
Conclusion
Staying in hotels with our pets is a privilege and therefore every pet owner should be well prepared to ensure that his cat or dog does not become a nuisance to other people in the hotel.