How to Take Your Pet On a Work Trip with Pet-Friendly Extended Stays

No matter how comfortable a hotel may be, it’s tough to make it feel like home when you’re missing something important: your furry best friend.

The cost of boarding a pet and the heartache of leaving them are among the most impactful issues surrounding travel.

The good news: you can absolutely bring your dog on a work trip!

If your work requires extended stays away from home and you don’t want to leave your pet behind, this article is for you.

Table of Contents

1. Finding A Pet Friendly Extended Stay Hotel
2. Prepare Before You Go
3. Traveling With Your Pet
4. Hilton’s Unrivaled Pet Friendliness

Finding A Pet Friendly Extended Stay Hotel

The first step to booking a pet friendly business trip is to find the perfect hotel — one that doesn’t just allow pets, but that makes your pet feel just as welcome as you do.

Here are some things to consider:

Amenities To Look For

When searching for your next temporary home for you and your pet, a few standards must be met – let’s talk hotel services.

The hotel should have affordable pet fees. At some hotels, you might find yourself spending more on a pet fee than on the room itself!

The hotel should also have an outdoor area for dogs to run, or be within walking distance of a park.

Room for a pet bed is also important to set up a comfortable area for Fido.

Make sure your best bud will be taken care of while you’re out working. You can look for a hotel with services like dog walking, doggy daycare or dog room service — or just find a local dog sitter or walker.

Another amenity that can be helpful is a kitchenette, allowing you to store your pet’s supplies in the cabinets and easily fill and clean their food and water bowls.

Asking for all these amenities might sound far-fetched (pun intended). But it’s easy to find pet friendly rooms with Engine’s hotel search function and our dedicated Member Support team.

Hotel Etiquette With A Dog

There are a few things you, as a pet owner, need to remember when traveling with your pet. To be considerate, you should follow proper hotel etiquette.

Here are a few strongly encouraged rules when staying at a hotel with your dog:

• Don’t sneak your dog into the hotel — find a pet friendly room and be up front about your four-legged guest
• Don’t allow your dog to bark excessively
• Don’t bathe your dog in the hotel tub
• Don’t leave your dog alone in the hotel room
• Always keep your dog leashed in common areas and outdoors

Keep in mind that most hotels require a non-refundable fee when staying with a pet, and a possible extra cleaning fee if your pet makes a large mess.

Prepare Before You Go

Once you’ve secured a room with a pet friendly hotel, you’ll need to get ready to travel with your furry friend.

Here are a few tips for preparing to travel with a pet:

Invest In A Good Crate

The crate should be big enough for your dog or cat to stand, turn and lie down comfortably. It should have a leakproof bottom and plenty of airflow.

Add a comfortable mat and stock it with toys and a water bottle.

Visit Your Vet

Have your pet’s health checked and make sure vaccinations are all up-to-date. Your vet can ensure that your pet is healthy enough to travel.

Keep shot records with you in case they are asked for during your travels. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

Make Your Dog Easily Identifiable

Losing your dog during a trip is a pet owner’s worst nightmare.

To be safe, make sure you have plenty of identification for your dog. Your dog should always wear a collar with personal contact information. Have a picture of your dog with you to share with others.

Microchipping your pet is also a great idea in case they get lost without their collar. You can have this done easily at your vet’s office.

Learn: How To Land the Best Corporate Travel Hotel Rates

Pack For Your Dog

Pack plenty of dog food and water for the trip. You’ll be glad you brought their favorite toys, and you might even consider bringing their favorite blanket, pillow or bed. Familiar scents help them to relax.

A good-quality leash is also essential to ensure that you can keep them secure in common areas and while walking outside. Always keep your dog on a leash when you’re outside of your hotel room!

Traveling With Your Pet

Be sure that you are prepared for the type of transportation you’ll be using so that your pet will arrive safely with you.

Car Trips

If your dog isn’t used to car rides, make sure you go on a few short trips before the big one.

Consider how to secure your dog inside your car. Some crates can be used with seatbelts.

Stop frequently. Your dog will need to get some exercise and, of course, take potty breaks. Don’t forget to pack plenty of bags for cleaning up pet waste.

Rideshares

It’s best to have your own transportation if you’re bringing your dog, but what if you don’t have a car? Uber has pet friendly policies, but Lyft drivers reserve the discretion to decide whether or not to allow pets in their individual vehicles.

Taxi companies’ pet policies vary, so call ahead to ask.

Car Rentals

Most car rental companies allow pets in rental cars. Some are more lax, but most require that the pet be crated and that the car is returned free of pet hair.

BringFido can fill you in on the pet rules for each car rental service.

If you’re using a company car rental but need to pay a pet deposit, be sure to discuss payment for this with HR before making the reservations.

Airplanes

Pets are permitted in the airplane cabin with a 20lb weight limit. Dogs or cats brought in the cabin must fit in a carrier under the seat.

Every airline has a different pet policy regarding bringing larger dogs into the cargo area.

You must provide health records and proof of rabies and vaccination records ten days before flying.

A limited number of pets are allowed on each flight, so check in early or call ahead to reserve your spot.

To combat pressure on their ears, give them a little water and ice during take-off. Cargo travel can be stressful on pets, so it’s best to find an alternative if possible.

Trains And Buses

Dogs under 20 lbs are permitted on Amtrak for a $25 additional fee.

Greyhound does not allow pets unless they are service animals.

Hilton’s Unrivaled Pet Friendliness

If you’re looking for the best hotel to bring your pet to, consider a Hilton Hotel.

Hilton aims to make its hotels as welcoming as possible to pets. This includes properties from its various brands, such as:

• Embassy Suites
• Hampton Inn and Suites
• Hilton Garden Inn
• Home2 Suites by Hilton
• Homewood Suites by Hilton
• Tru by Hilton

Hilton doesn’t just allow pets. Their pet health program puts your pet’s physical and emotional health as a priority. Hilton’s extended stay hotels like Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites are at the forefront of this program.

According to the Hilton press release:

“Hilton guests who check-in with a pet at select Homewood Suites and Home2 Suites locations will have early access to a Mars Petcare digital service pilot program where they can receive timely expert tips to help pets adjust to the new environment.”

There are some Hilton hotels that take pet friendliness to a new level. Here are three such hotels that make pets and pet owners feel like royalty:

Hilton Chicago

This hotel offers the Fur Mama Package, which includes a “fur mama” t-shirt and a concierge list of pet-friendly parks and boutiques nearby.

Conrad Washington D.C.

Posh travelers who want to spoil their pets as well as themselves (and will spare no expense to do so) will find the Conrad’s Lab of Luxury Package a real treat.

It includes a Hermes pet collar and leash, and a Tiffany&Co water bowl. You’ll have the most stylish pet in the city. A pet photo session, pet-friendly winery tour with car service, and a $500 donation to the Humane Society are also part of the package.

Hilton Sedona Resort At Bell Rocks

This hotel offers a Pet Pals Package, which waives the pet fee and offers complimentary pet meals with the purchase of an adult meal.

Pet owners get a $50 dining credit per night, and your pet gets a deluxe Barkbox.

Conclusion

Bringing a dog along on your work trip can be rewarding for both of you, as long as you follow these few tips and tricks for easy pet travel. Start with finding a hotel chain that adores your pet as much as you do.

Hilton hotels definitely rank highest for pet friendliness, but other hotel chains offer pet perks as well. La Quinta Inn & Suites, Extended Stay America, Quality Inn, Motel 6, Red Roof Inn and Wyndham also cater to four-legged travelers.

For some other chains, it is up to the property manager’s discretion; you may want to call ahead first and check on a particular site’s policy.

Engine can help you secure a pet-friendly room wherever you’re traveling.

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