Everything you need to know about travelling with your dog, cat or other pets

New statistics have highlighted the rising demand for pet-friendly travel experiences. The 2024 Annual Vacation Confidence Index by Allianz Partners USA found that over 40% of US travellers aged 34-54 years old will include their pets on their next holiday, with 24% of those over 55 doing the same.

Several travel companies in the UK have reported a rise in pet-friendly bookings over the past couple of years. Dog-friendly accommodation site Paws & Stay has seen its bookings increase 125% since 2023, while Haven, which runs 38 holiday parks in the UK, saw demand for pet-friendly breaks rise by nearly 15% in the same period. A 2024 study by the University of Surrey estimates that the dog-friendly travel sector will be worth almost £40bn by 2030.

What’s causing the rise?

We’ve seen a change thanks to a boom in pet ownership during the pandemic, partly driven by the shift to working from home. In the UK, 38% of people have welcomed a new pet since 2020, with 3.2 million households acquiring one in the first year of the pandemic alone. With the steep cost of pet sitters, which can be upwards of £50 per night, and the inconvenience of trying to find one with availability in the wake of rising demand, travelling with your pet can be a much more affordable prospect.

How have hotels responded?

The accommodation sector has truly leaned into the trend. These days, it’s not uncommon to see dogs being checked into hotels, and you might occasionally meet a cat at reception, too. To give an example, the hotel group Kimpton welcomes almost any animal, as long as it fits in their lifts. It also offers a dedicated canine menu, branded bowls in rooms and a list of local pet-friendly amenities.

UK-based accommodation provider Devonshire Hotels offers dogs their own four-poster beds, while Homewood Hotel, near Bath in Somerset, even has an on-site dog creche for those who want to spend time in the spa but don’t want to leave their pets alone. Agility circuits and secure walking fields are also becoming popular facilities at dog-friendly hotels. In the self-catering sector, property owners are making efforts to attract dog owners with a key asset: fencing. According to Paws & Stay, 70% of all bookings in 2024 have been for a property with an enclosed garden.

What about elsewhere in the travel industry?

It’s not just hotels getting in on the so-called ‘puppy pound’. Museums and attractions like London’s Tower Bridge and Cotswold Wildlife Park welcome dogs, too. Last year, Cruise Tails announced the world’s first dog-friendly cruise: it will set sail in Florida in November, with capacity for 2,650 passengers and 250 dogs.

Can you fly with pets?

In the UK, all animals apart from assistance dogs must travel in the hold. In the US and Europe, pets generally have to be restrained in a carrier and put under the seat, unless they’re too big in which case they’re placed in the hold. There’s a health check and extra paperwork required, too.

A burgeoning dog-friendly airline sector is seeking to solve some of these problems using chartered private jets. “There’s a growing demand for people to travel with their dogs, but airlines have become more restrictive,” says Mike Novotny, president of Bark Air, which operates between cities such as New York and London. “We make sure dogs have a dignified travel experience. Not in the cargo and not under the seat.” That said, prices are astronomical now — around $8,000 (£6,300) per person with a dog.

Train travel is generally a much more accessible way to travel with your pet in Europe — they go free on all UK services and can travel with a discounted ticket on many continental trains. For a small fee, you can even take them in the cabins on sleeper services from London to Cornwall and Scotland.

Any tips for travelling with pets?

“Do your research and plan accordingly” is the advice from TV dog behaviourist Adem Fehmi. “Where will your dog need to sleep when you’re away? Many dog-friendly venues may not allow your dog on the bed, for example, and it’s good to plan for this in advance or book alternative accommodation if you know that your dog will struggle with this rule.” He suggests taking your pet’s home comforts (bed, toys, bowl) with you to help them settle, too.