If you’re planning a holiday with your dog, you’re not the only one who needs a holiday checklist – you want to make sure that your furry friend is all prepped and ready to go, too. Not only do you want your dog to be comfortable and relaxed while you’re away from home, but you also want to have the right kit to enjoy muddy meanders, wet walkies, and sandy-pawed excursions.
All of our dog-friendly properties welcome your canine companions, and some even come with the perks of pet washers and utility rooms. However, to ensure you and your dog can relax on holiday, take heed of our grooming tips and pack a handy holiday grooming kit.
Pre-Holiday Grooming Prep
Groom before you go
Schedule Fido’s next grooming session just before your holiday with your hound. If their coat, skin and nails are in good condition before you leave, they will be much easier to maintain while you’re away and you won’t be shedding fur all over your home away from home.
Worm and flea to holiday worry free
Keeping up with your dog’s worming and flea routine is especially important before going away. Firstly, when you’re gallivanting around heathland terrain, your dog is more susceptible to ticks, so ensure you use an all-round flea and tick protector. Secondly, when you’re taking your dog into a pet-friendly pad used by other dogs, you don’t want to be spreading – or catching – fleas. Just one jump of these itchy little beasts can cause havoc for your dog, and others coming to stay.
Ensuring your dog is fit, healthy and well-groomed before your holiday ensures your dog will be comfortable while you’re away, and you won’t have to worry about leaving a trail of fur or parasites.
Handy Holiday Grooming Kit
Doggie towel
Doggie towels are essential items you need for a happy dog holiday. Pack at least two towels for muddy, soggy paws, so that when you hop in the car and pad back into your canine-friendly cottage, you don’t have to go back and clean up a trail of paw-prints after every outing.
Brushes
Don’t forget to take a regular slicker brush to groom the dirt from your dog’s coat while you’re on holiday. If you’re off to the beach with your four-legged friend, it’s vital to brush their coat before and after bounding around in the saltwater and sand, to prevent matting.
Also, take a de-shedding tool, such as the Furminator, to remove loose fur – keeping your dog cool and comfortable while helping to keep your dog-friendly holiday home fur-free.
Coat conditioning spray
In addition to brushing, using a coat conditioner will not only prevent matting and make brushing easier, it will also stop your dog’s coat and skin drying out too much after being out in the elements. Whether you’ve been playing in the woods or the sea with your pooch, simply spray it onto their coat and brush it out, to detangle and leave a glossy sheen.
Waterless shampoo
Does your dog love rolling in mud, splashing in puddles, and snuffling through the undergrowth? If you’ve got a hound that loves getting dirty on dog-friendly outings, pack a bottle of easy-to-use, waterless shampoo. Spread the foam over your furry friend, then massage it off with a towel to keep your dog looking sleek and smelling fresh between adventures.
Doggie wipes
Just what you need for the car journey, and to put in your day bag for every outing with your four-legged friend. These handy, deep-cleaning pet wipes eliminate dirt, drool and odour on the go, so your dog is squeaky clean and cuddly in every eventuality.
Dog blanket
Whether your property comes with a dog bed or not, every dog loves their own blanket to curl up at night or beside your feet in front of the log burner. If your dog feels more at home and relaxed on holiday, so will you.
Doggie travel mat
A comfy dog travel mat is the perfect holiday swap-in for a bulky bed. Use it in the car and in your pet-friendly accommodation, with a cosy blanket on top, and you’ve got a portable, plush bed for your pooch while you’re away from home.
Post-holiday Pet Grooming Essentials
Groom and coat check
As soon as you return from holiday, give your dog a good groom and check its coat for ticks, fleas, and general cleanliness. You will also be able to detect any skin conditions that may arise from playing in the wilds.
Dog shampoo
Have you been having way too much fun frolicking on the beach with Fido? On returning, make sure you give your dog’s fur a deep shampoo and condition, especially if you are returning from the seaside. This will sanitise and rehydrate their coat, leaving it glossy and soft.
Detangling comb
If you’ve got a long-haired or shaggy dog, no doubt you’ll have burrs, tangles and clumps to bring home along with your holiday memories. Use a detangling doggie comb to remove knots from their fur, without irritating their skin.
All ready to book your dog-friendly holiday?
Now your dog is all prepped to go on holiday with you, it’s time to pick a pooch-friendly pad from our huge range of cottages that welcome canines across the UK. Also, see our advice on keeping a dog happy on holiday.
