Pet–Friendly New Hampshire Travel

Comfort Inn Concord 10 Tips

According to the American Kennel Club, there are 52 million canines in this country–and growing. Several travel associations in the U.S. are also reporting trends that indicate that more travelers are taking their pets on short and extended trips, both by car and airplane. Traveling with a pet can be one of life’s great pleasures (think John Steinbeck’s “Travels With Charley”), and road trippers are realizing that their four-legged companions are perfect company on long drives and great protection on America’s highways and byways.

New Hampshire offers travelers and their four–legged companions a few unique, pet–friendly hotels, motels, B & B’s, and lodgings where pets are welcome and invited to share family vacations or extended business trips. While the availability and frequency of pet–friendly accommodations, services, parks, beaches and designated areas is not everywhere, there are progressive hotel chains, independent inns, extended–stay lodgings and bed and breakfasts that accept pets and now offer pet–friendly designated accommodations and animal–served environments.

More and more pet–pleasing hotels are welcoming four–legged companions to family vacations and holidays in New Hampshire and throughout New England. Not to mention that ADA–compliant hotels are accommodating sight–challenged guests who require seeing–eye dogs for a productive, mobile and travel accessible lifestyle. In the Lakes Region, where animals and wildlife are revered and respected, the positive emergence of pet–friendly lodgings and resort destinations is evolving the hospitality landscape into a pet–conscious community for people who relate, rely and respect the value of man’s best friends.

10 Tips for Pet–Friendly Vacations

1. Start your trip with a healthy pet. Check in with your veterinarian at least one week before you begin your trip to be sure your pet is healthy and all vaccinations are current.


2. Pack all the paperwork. Pack current health certificates, licenses, proof of vaccinations, and your vet's phone number.


3. Have your pet wear identification at all times. Your pet's I.D. tags should include your name, address, and phone number, and if you are staying out of town for a while, add a local phone number where you can be reached in case you are separated from your pooch. Pack a recent photo of your dog too!


4. Make sure your dog is travel–worthy. Not all dogs are natural–born travelers. It's best to get your dog accustomed to riding in a car at a young age, but even older dogs can adapt. Take them on short trips as part of your usual routine and gradually lengthen the drives so your dog is in the car for a few hours.


5. Keep your dog cool and comfortable. If you are traveling by car, always keep a car window open so your pet has fresh air and when you park, try to find a nice patch of shade and don't leave your dog in the car unattended for long periods of time.


6. Plan ahead for all travel accommodations. This is especially important during peak travel times when motels, hotels, and campgrounds fill up quickly. Most accommodations that do accept pets have a limited number of pet friendly rooms available. If you are planning to fly with your pet, make reservations at least 3 months prior to your journey since airlines limit the number of pets on each plane.


7. Make sure your dog is well–trained before taking her/him on the road. Be sure your dog has learned the basic obedience commands such as sit, stay, come, and quiet before you embark on a trip of any length for your dog's safety.


8. Keep your dog leashed. Keeping your pet on a leash is your best runaway prevention. Even before you get your dog out of the car, put a leash on so he doesn't leap out of the vehicle and get injured.


9. Clean up after your dog. The more people pick up after their dogs, the more welcome all dogs will in public places. Travel with a 4–1 mix of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle to remove traces of indoor accidents or lingering odors.


10. Create a “home–like” traveling environment. Feed your dog the same food at the same time you feed at home. If your pet sleeps in a crate, bring it along or an old blanket or large towel to create a designated pet area in your hotel room.  [Top]