To mark the start of National Pet Month (April), new research looks at the rise of pet travel in the UK highlighting how many of us plan to go on holiday with our dogs this year.
Pets on Female First
Over two thirds (67%) of UK dog owners plan to go away with their dogs this year and nearly one million pet owners plan to get a pet passport for their dog.
More than half (60%) even plan their holidays around their dogs with a similar number (57%) confessing they would enjoy their holiday more if their dog was with them.
Popular activities that dog owners do with their beloved pooches when on holiday include going for a meal with them at a pet friendly pub or restaurant (54%), taking them sightseeing (39%) and going shopping (26%).
Taking your dog on holiday can also have numerous health benefits with the vast majority (82%) of UK pet owners saying that they feel more relaxed when spending time with their dog.
The research has been commissioned by Eurotunnel, who are predicting 2018 will be the most popular year ever for pet travel and will see more ‘dog miles’ clocked up than ever before.
Eurotunnel are widely recognised as the leading company enabling pet travel and have had over 2 million dogs, cats and ferrets travel to Europe with them since 2001.
Their research also reveals just how much we miss our animal companions when they are not around. Almost one in five (18%) FaceTime their dogs when they are on holiday without them, with a further 13% admitting that they have a dog cam set up at home so they can interact with their dog when they are away.
Over a quarter (28%) of dog owners even admit to missing their dogs more than their partner when they have been away with 24% saying they would only go on holiday if their dog was able to go with them. 55% of owners even miss their dog more than their partner when they are at work.