Vacation with a Dog by the Sea: Tips and Packing List

Guest post by Travall

A holiday with your dog by the sea? After a stressful time of lockdowns and travel restrictions, many of us are eager to get away.

For most dog owners, this means their four-legged companions are coming along too, as dogs are pack animals and feel happiest when they are close to their people.

To make sure your holiday with your dog by the sea is relaxing, we have put together some practical tips and a packing list for you.

For a holiday with your dog by the sea, the most important thing is proper restraint.

While it is mandatory in some Mediterranean countries to have a dog guard in the car when traveling with pets, there are no specific regulations in Germany and its neighbouring countries on how dogs should be restrained in the car.

However, you must ensure that no one is affected or injured – whether human or animal.

A safe dog transport system can consist of either an aluminium dog box secured in the boot or a dog guard.

A dog guard takes up no space and does not restrict flexibility when using the car. You can easily install the Travall Guard yourself in just a few steps, without drilling or making any changes to the vehicle. It creates a sturdy barrier between the boot and the seats. You can also attach a boot divider and practical rear guard doors to it, making the boot more usable and safer for your dog.

If you would prefer to use a dog harness with a seat belt instead of a box or dog guard, make sure it is of particularly good quality, as the carabiners have repeatedly proven to be weak points in crash tests.

Due to the enormous forces exerted on the belt in the event of an accident, this restraint option is only recommended for small dogs.

A day at the dog beach is like a mini-holiday: you can play thoroughly with your dog, the water promises to cool you down, and after a swim you can make yourself comfortable on the towel.

However, for a safe holiday with your dog by the sea, sun protection must come before beach fun. Dogs with light skin and short fur must be applied sunscreen before and during an excursion to the dog beach. There are special sunscreens for dogs, but fragrance-free children's products also work.

Always keep an eye on your dog at the dog beach and make sure they do not wander too far from you – even the best-behaved dogs can sometimes get ideas in their heads. If children who are not yet old enough to know how to properly handle animals are nearby, it is better to keep your dog on a leash if in doubt.

Also make sure they do not drink seawater, as this can cause water intoxication in dogs and make your dog vomit. Instead, you must provide fresh drinking water and a place to lie in the shade.

And after the beach excursion, your four-legged friend should have a shower so that the salt water and sand can be washed out of their fur.

Some hotels and boarding kennels offer pet welcome packages with dog beds, dog beds and treats to make your holiday with your dog by the sea a little less stressful.

However, as this is not the case everywhere, you should be prepared to take your own dog food, harness and cozy blanket with you. Familiar items also reduce stress levels in anxious dogs.

The room should be made dog-safe, which means nothing should be left lying around that could harm your dog.

If your four-legged friend (like many others) has a penchant for drinking from the toilet, then keep the lid closed and preferably keep them away from the bathroom, as the cleaning products used in the hotel industry are highly likely to be toxic.

Dog-friendly does not mean that animals are allowed in all areas of a hotel or boarding kennel. Dining rooms are usually off-limits to animals. If dogs are allowed there, make sure your dog lies down and does not try to steal food from the table or buffet.

Did you know that you can also have your dog food sent directly to your holiday destination if you are traveling in Germany or Austria? Freshly prepared food from HelloBello provides your dog with everything they need for a healthy and long life and will be delivered directly to your accommodation.