Does it take much for your dog to be happy? Probably not. Your pup just wants to be with you and your family wherever you go—and rightly so—they’re part of the family, too. This includes coming along with you on your family vacation. It’s hard leaving pets behind while everyone else leaves for a week or two for some much treasured time away. The good news is that you don’t have to worry about that when you vacation in Emerald Isle, North Carolina. Emerald Isle is a very pet-friendly beach vacation destination and keeping your dog happy while you’re here is super simple. Here are a few helpful ways to make sure your dog is feeling at ease and at home, and having fun too! 

1. Choose the right pet-friendly Emerald Isle rental for you and your family.

The best vacations begin with the optimal accommodations for you and your family. As soon as you arrive at your vacation rental, you should feel right at home—and your dog should too. Every family is different, but that is the beauty of choosing a vacation rental in the first place: you can customize and personalize your stay by selecting the amenities, location, size and style that works well for you and yours. Sun-Surf Realty has a wonderful selection of pet-friendly Emerald Isle rentals your dog will love with the vacation rental amenities that matter most to pet owners such as gated decks, fenced yards, dog runs, outdoor showers, and so much more. 

2. Provide the comforts of home while you’re away on vacation.

It helps your dog to settle in to new surroundings quickly and easily if he has the comforts of home that he’s used to, such as his dog bed, favorite treats, that well-loved toy, and the usual dog food, collar and leash. Don’t make any big changes in those areas and the transition will be much smoother. Give your pooch some time to get acquainted to the rental, let him sniff around a bit, and explore his new home for the time being. Show him where he can find his food and water dish. Keep to your usual routines and walking schedules while away. Spend some extra time with him as you get settled in—and he will settle in too. 

3. Know the local beach rules and regulations before arriving with your dog. 

It’s always best to know the local pet ordinances when you travel. The Town of Emerald Isle and its beaches welcome dogs year round. Dogs do have to be leashed at all times, and of course you’ll be expected to pick up after your pet and dispose of waste properly. Emerald Isle offers trash receptacles at each public beach access on both the beach and street sides in an effort to make this as easy as possible for pet owners. You can read the Emerald Isle beach regulations here for more information.

4. Plan for dog-friendly vacation activities and outings.

It’s always a good idea to research ahead of time what dog-friendly outings and activities are available at your vacation destination. In addition to the beautiful dog-friendly beaches, Emerald Isle also has several town parks, the Emerald Path, sidewalks and trails, and lots of local dog-friendly destinations that will make your beach vacation fun for everyone. Check out our previous post that lists the Top 10 Pet-Friendly Places in Emerald Isle, NC and then start planning your adventures. 

5. Make travel to and from your vacation destination safe and comfortable for your dog.

Whether you travel by airplane or by car, you’ll want to make the trip as easy, safe and as comfortable as possible for you and your pet. Know your airline’s pet rules and regulations for travel before you arrive at the airport so you can be prepared. Bring along your dog’s vaccination records, medication, and anything else that you may need. For road trips, your dog is safest when harnessed or crated. Whenever feasible, allow for breaks where you pup can move, play, drink water, and do her business. Before embarking on your journey, give your dog plenty of time to let off some steam, burn lots of energy, and become as relaxed as possible before starting your travels. This will make it easier on everyone.