This year, many Spaniards have booked their tourist accommodation, and others are planning getaways in September taking advantage of the drop in prices. But is it possible to travel with a dog? Holidu, the holiday rental portal, has analyzed the destinations in Spain that offer pet-friendly accommodation and has identified the cheapest ones. In addition, Alicia and Claudio, Happy Guau’s dog trainers, share valuable tips to enjoy a vacation with your faithful furry companion.
Tourist homes have become one of the preferred accommodation options for travelers and have evolved over time to meet their needs. Nowadays, it is not enough for hosts to offer a standard service; They are also expected to adapt their accommodations to welcome beloved pets. According to data from the vacation portal, in Spain, 25% of tourist homes allow guests to stay with their pets, which shows a growing demand for this type of options.
Although this figure is lower compared to other European countries where this trend is more consolidated, such as Denmark, where 45% of accommodation accepts pets, and the Netherlands, with 35%, Spain continues to surpass other destinations such as Greece, with 19%, and Portugal, where only 15% of accommodations allow travelers to bring their pets.
«In Spain, more and more travelers want to enjoy their holidays with their dogs, whether on the beach or in the mountains. In addition, hosts are being more flexible and adapting their accommodation to make it easier to bring pets,” says Esteban Farías, spokesperson and communications for Holidu.
Increase in pet-friendly accommodation
Regarding the acceptance of pets in holiday accommodation, the autonomous communities show an interesting variety. Castilla y León leads with a notable 48% of accommodations that allow pets. Extremadura follows with 45%, and both Navarra and La Rioja have a significant 41%. In regions such as Catalonia, Galicia, Cantabria, Asturias, and Aragon, the percentage of accommodations that allow pets varies between 33% and 36%. The Valencian Community and the Region of Murcia have 31% and 30%, respectively, while in Andalusia, the percentage is 22%.
If you are looking for a getaway in September with your pet, whether to a rural or coastal destination, it is still possible to find options in different autonomous communities of the country. Among the cheapest options, the average price for a tourist home is 104 euros in Extremadura, 111 euros in the Region of Murcia, 112 euros in Galicia and the Canary Islands, and 116 euros in Asturias.
On the other hand, for those looking for a rural atmosphere and adventure, Cantabria and La Rioja offer options at 124 and 125 euros respectively, as does Aragón. Navarra has an average price of 127 euros, while Castilla y León is 126 euros per night.
In a slightly higher range, the Valencian Community offers options at 136 euros, Castilla-La Mancha at 140 euros, and Andalusia at 144 euros per night. If you have a larger budget, Catalonia has an average price of 162 euros, the Basque Country 173 euros, Madrid 206 and finally, to enjoy the Balearic Islands with your pet, accommodation has an average cost of 275 euros per evening.
Tips for traveling with a dog
Preparing a peaceful vacation with a dog requires several preparations. In addition to finding pet-friendly accommodations, owners should ask themselves: What does my dog need while on vacation? Where should I sleep? What type of accommodation?
“The first thing we need to consider is whether the dog is really going to enjoy the trip or whether it might be stressful for him. Traveling to a natural and quiet environment is not the same as traveling to the center of a big city. It is essential to have your vaccination up to date and, if you travel abroad, to find out in advance about the vaccines required in that country. In addition, it is crucial to keep parasite protection up to date, especially if you go to rural areas,” advise Alicia and Claudio, dog educators and representatives of Happy Guau, a dog training center in Spain.
It is also important to bring the dog’s usual bed, as some get stressed with the changes of travel and having their known resting place can help them be more relaxed. You should not forget to bring your usual dishes, toys and food. It is advisable to carry a basic first aid kit prepared by the veterinarian, and an identification tag with updated telephone numbers is essential, since animal records vary depending on the autonomous community.
As for housing, educators suggest that if you have a garden, it is important to ensure it is well fenced. Additionally, if the destination is a hot area, it is recommended that the accommodation have air conditioning. It is also essential to take basic safety measures, such as keeping exit doors closed, avoiding leaving the dog unattended in rooms with open windows or on balconies.
If traveling by car, it is important to stop every two hours so the dog can stretch its legs and drink water. If traveling by plane, it is not recommended to take dogs in the hold, as it can be very stressful and dangerous for them. If the dog goes in the cabin or you travel by train, a carrier will be needed; It is crucial to get him used to it several months in advance to avoid problems during the trip.
Finally, we do not recommend leaving the dog alone in the accommodation. From your perspective, you are alone in an unfamiliar place, which can make you anxious. If there is no other choice, make sure the temperature is cool, close the windows and leave relaxing music playing in the background to help him not get upset by external noises.
«Although some dogs adapt well to any environment, in general, we recommend a rural environment, where the dog will be calmer and enjoy more. The beach is also a good option, as long as you visit during cooler hours,” add the Happy Guau educators.
#dogfriendly #Spanish #destinations
