Planning a Pet Friendly Caravan Holiday

For those of us with pets, our furry little friends are as much a part of the family as we are. Pets have the ability to charm their way into our hearts and our homes; fast becoming a part of the furniture.

Considering the fact that over 58% of dog owners in the UK arrange their holidays around their pet, it’s pretty safe to say that we are a nation of pet lovers. Although the number of pet owners has fallen slightly since 2012 with just over 56% owning a pet of any type, that’s still a lot of people planning holidays with their furry friend in tow.

But why should you take your pet on your next UK holiday?

Avoid expensive boarding fees

When you jet off for your summer holidays, you are usually faced with several options – taking your pet with you, employing a pet sitter, asking a friend or family member to look after your pet, or placing them in boarding kennels or a cattery while you are away. Good-quality boarding accommodation can be expensive, and many people aren’t comfortable with allowing a stranger into their home unsupervised, which rules out a pet sitter.

If you don’t have friends or family who can look after your pet, you are then left with one of two options – take your pet with you, or don’t go at all! But who would want to miss out on a well-deserved holiday?

Explore the countryside

The great British countryside is absolutely stunning, yet many Brits end up taking the beauty of their home country for granted. Heading out on long walks with your pooch is the perfect way to explore the delights that the country has to offer.

Sit back and relax

A caravan holiday is the ultimate relaxing getaway. Shake away the stresses of everyday life and enjoy a blissful week of relaxation with your loved ones. Pets love nothing more than chilling out, too, so it’s a marriage made in heaven!

Bond with your pet

How much time do you get to spend with your pet on a daily basis? If you are at work for the majority of the day, you may not get much quality time with your pet. A caravan holiday is a perfect solution; allowing you the opportunity to reconnect with your pet.

Your pet will love a holiday too!

Chances are, you won’t be the only one in your family who loves a holiday! Your pet will love the opportunity to get out of the house and explore somewhere new, just like you. And with your faithful friend by your side, it’s almost impossible not to have a good time, making caravan holidays with pets all the more appealing.

Choosing a Place to Stay

Choosing the perfect location for your holiday can be tricky when you need to factor in your pet, with lots of things to take into consideration, including:

• Is the site pet-friendly?
• Are there opportunities for walks/play/exercise?
• Will the accommodation be comfortable for both you and your pet?

Usually, this information is clearly stated in the brochure or via the site’s online page. There may also be information available on how the caravan site management expects your dog to behave during your stay.

This will often include keeping your pet on a lead when on-site, ensuring your dog doesn’t bark for long periods of time and picking up any mess your dog leaves. Although more rules may be in force depending on the site you choose, if you are unsure, it’s always best to get in contact before travelling.

Here at Allens Caravans, we have a number of caravan holiday parks that welcome pets, which is ideal if you can’t bear to leave your pooch behind. You can enjoy the countryside, the mountains, the hills, the beach and much more with man’s best friend by your side the whole time.

Our dog-friendly caravan holidays can be enjoyed at several parks, including With plenty to see and do for you, your family and the dog, you won’t be disappointed when you holiday with Allens.

As with any new environment, your dog will be overwhelmed with new scents; trees to sniff and fields to explore.

In order to keep your beloved pet as safe as possible, it’s important that you stick to a few fundamental guidelines.

• Use a dog harness when travelling to, from and around your holiday, and remember to stop frequently if you’re on a long journey to allow your dog to stretch its legs, eat and have a drink
• Keep your dog on a lead between the months of March and July when on access land, or all year round on farmland – don’t let your dog get too close to farm animals in fields when you’re walking, either
• Remember to clean up any mess; as you would if you were at home
• Check where the local vets are, just in case
• Only let your dog off the lead to run free when it is safe to do so. Country roads may appear quiet but many drivers won’t be expecting a dog to cross their paths should they wander off
• Be aware of the dangers of ticks, especially when walking in areas of long grass or woodland. Ticks can lead to Lyme disease and much more
• You should also be aware when walking your dog near farmland, as many farmers leave poison out for rats and badgers which can be very dangerous if ingested by your dog

When you’ve found a selection of sites that welcome pets, you’ll want to consider the types of activities you’d like to get involved in while you’re away. If you are looking for a peaceful holiday amongst nature with lots of walks for you and your four-legged friend to partake in, you’ll want to look for a countryside caravan site. Search the local area for plenty of open spaces to run, including opportunities for walking and exploring to keep both your minds engaged and active.

Alternatively, beach-front caravan sites can offer plenty of open areas and coastal walks with the added bonus of the sea to paddle in. Make sure to plan ahead and ensure that any caravan sites you choose to stay in along the coast also lead or have access to a dog-friendly beach.

Packing and Preparing Your Pooch

When you’re planning a pet-friendly holiday with your dog, there is more than just your own belongings to pack – you’ve also got to get a doggy bag together for them! Make a list of all the things your dog uses or has access to on a daily basis and use this to plan your packing list.

The types of things you’ll want to pack as a necessity include:

• Water and food bowls – collapsible versions are available which are perfect for lightweight travelling
• Your dog’s preferred food to keep him or her well-fed while you’re away
• Bags to collect your dog’s mess. There will be strict rules about this on the site so ensure you are a good pet owner and bring enough to last for the whole of your stay
• Water bottle or water bowl for use when out and about
• Dog’s towel, for drying off or wiping down muddy paws – investing in a microfibre towel can be useful as they absorb a large amount of water and dry quickly; they are also compact!
• Lead and/or harness. Most sites will expect your dog to be on the lead whenever you are on site
• Bed and/or blankets, depending on what your dog prefers to sleep on at home
• Any toys or comforters your dog likes. This will help him feel comfortable while travelling and staying overnight somewhere different
• Your dog’s favourite treats. Your pet definitely needs to be rewarded for all their good behaviour when staying somewhere new
• Any medication your dog needs to take while you are away

There are also a few extra bits of equipment that you might consider bringing to make your stay easier:

• Stairgate to block off areas that you may not want your dog to have access to
• Seat covers/old sheets to cover soft furnishings in the caravan or your vehicle and protect them from muddy paws

Before you begin your holiday, if your dog has never travelled before and your caravan site is some distance away, it’s a good idea to acclimatise your dog to the car environment. Spend a few days gently encouraging them to get in and out of your vehicle of their own accord (rewarding your pet when they do so). Then, take your pet on some shorter journeys so they get used to the feeling of motion. Ensure they are securely buckled in using a seatbelt dog harness or, ideally, a separate cage in the rear.

When you’re travelling long distances, you may want to factor in some extra time to ensure your dog gets enough toilet stops and opportunities to stretch their legs and have a short walk. This can also be a good way to wear out excitable dogs so they are calmer during travel.

While You’re Away

When you get to your caravan holiday site with your dog, you’ll probably want to take them for a short walk first, rewarding them for their good behaviour on the journey.

Let your dog have some time to get used to all the new sights, smells and sounds of the site and your caravan before starting to unpack. Let your dog have access to their bed and/or blanket and put down some water so they have somewhere comforting to wait while you settle yourselves in.

All that’s left for you to do is enjoy your holiday with your dog! Whether you choose a coastal location or a countryside caravan site, once you’ve both unpacked and had some time to settle, your dog will be excited to join you for some holiday exploration.

To enquire about booking one of our pet-friendly caravan holidays in the UK, or to check availability on our UK caravan sites, please give us a call today on 01564 792323 or contact us online.