Holidaying with Your Dog – Guide to Food Safety
We know, as plant-based dog parents, that maintaining our furry friends’ healthy and sustainable diet is a constant challenge. However, when the holiday season rolls around – a time for indulgence, no less – it’s tempting to forego any diets or restrictions and cut loose a bit. However, when it comes to our dogs, it’s not so easy.
Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway to the English Riviera, a mountainside retreat in the Alps, a week staying in a remote coastal villa in Portugal, or anything in between, it’s vital to keep your furry companion well-fed, safe, and nourished. Depending on where you stay and how urban it is, maintaining a healthy vegan dog diet is often easier said than done.
However, fear not! This short guide will help you understand all there is to know about food safety for your vegan dog(s) while still enjoying your well-deserved time off.
How to Keep Your Dog’s Plant-Based Diet Abroad
The most important factor to consider when managing any pet’s diet is consistency. Sudden dietary changes can disrupt their digestion, which is something that no pet owner wants to deal with while exploring their surroundings. Whether you’re perusing a national park, relaxing in a lakeside cottage, or strolling through a city centre, it’s significantly harder to enjoy if your pet isn’t having a great time.
Therefore, it’s always wise to pack familiar foods for them to enjoy, where possible.
Bring enough of your go-to dog food to last you the entire holiday, along with enough surplus food in case of any issues or delays in getting home. Store any dry food in airtight containers to maintain its freshness and prevent it from getting contaminated or stale.
Another idea is to pre-portion meals in reusable containers for convenience when you’ll be out and about exploring. If your holiday activities interfere with regular feeding times then this is highly recommended. Alternatively, plan ahead and find local pet shops and see if they carry any vegan dog food options if you’re tight on packing space.
It’s worth noting that in some locations, plant-based dog food isn’t as widely embraced. Coastal areas like Brittany in France or La Cala de Mijas in Spain, while boasting beautiful dog-friendly properties to stay in, may not offer as many vegan food options as, for example, cities like Berlin, Amsterdam or Copenhagen. It’s worth researching the availability of speciality shops that stock plant-based pet food before finalising your travel plans.
Vegan Holiday Treats Your Dog Can Enjoy
One of the many perks of a memorable holiday experience is trying new things, and this also applies to your dog. Provided it’s in moderation, giving your dog some safe plant-based treats will go down well.
This is helpful if you’re staying off the proverbial beaten path, which could manifest as a woodland cabin in the Scottish Highlands, at a beachfront holiday park in Devon, or an isolated remote farmhouse tucked away in the hills of the Lake District. While your run-of-the-mill vegan shops may be in short supply, you can find plenty of safe dog-friendly treats to share with them when they start getting peckish.
This can include:
- Fresh fruits: Small portions of blueberries, sliced apple or watermelon (minus the seeds), or bananas are safe to give them.
- Vegetables: Plain-cooked sweet potatoes, carrot sticks, cucumber slices, or small steamed broccoli florets are safe.
- Plant-based yoghurt: A spoonful of unsweetened, non-dairy yoghurt is fine (provided that it doesn’t contain xylitol).
Remember that treats should constitute no more than 10% of your dog’s daily caloric intake, regardless of how thrilling or active your holiday activities may be.
Holiday Foods to Avoid
While sampling local cuisine specialities near your holiday accommodation is exactly the type of thing to do on holiday, it’s vital to not get swept up in the moment too much. Some foods are dangerous for dogs, and they should never – under any circumstances – consume these items.
- Alliums: Onions, leeks, and chives (common in many regional dishes)
- Avocados: The pit and skin contain persin (purified persea), which can cause vomiting and diarrhoea
- Grapes and raisins: Highly toxic and can cause kidney failure
- Chocolate and caffeine: Found in many desserts and beverages
- Xylitol: Present in many sugar-free products and some peanut butters
- Alcohol: Even small amounts can be dangerous
- Processed foods: Often contain excessive salt, sugar, and artificial ingredients
When out for lunch or dinner, particularly in restaurants in tourist hotspots like Paris’ historic city square, Greek island tavernas, or Spanish bistros, always be vigilant about food crumbs and offcuts falling from tables. Be cautious about well-meaning tourists offering food scraps to your dog, as they may not be aware.
Further Holiday Food Management Tips
Water safety
Remember the water treatment and safety standards of where you are travelling to. While you may be accustomed to giving your dog clean, fresh tap water, some destinations don’t have the same luxury. If you’re travelling internationally or staying in a remote spot, it may be worthwhile bringing a portable water purifier or filter. Alternatively, if you’re not sure about local water quality, consider using bottled water and a collapsible water bowl when on outings.
Emergencies
While unlikely, emergencies can still occur. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Before you leave:
- Research local vets at your destination
- Pack digestive aids suitable for dogs on plant-based diets
- Bring a pet first aid kit
- Save emergency contact numbers
If you’re going mostly or entirely off-grid – such as in a secluded mountain chalet, beach cottage or rural farmhouse – then having a route to getting your pet seen during an emergency will provide complete peace of mind.
Special Holiday Meals to Make
For special occasions during your holiday, consider preparing these simple, dog-friendly vegan meals:
Holiday veggie bowl
- Cooked quinoa or brown rice
- Steamed sweet potatoes and carrots
- Small amount of cooked lentils
Beach day refresher
- Frozen cubes of puréed watermelon with no seeds
- Cucumber slices
- A small spoonful of coconut yoghurt
Of course, we always recommend Bonza superfoods and grains if you want to give your dog the most enriching and nourishing food possible. As the only vegan dog food with pro- and postbiotics, Omega-3 DHA, DPA and EHA, as well as Bonza antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, you won’t be giving your dog anything better or tastier.
What Would You Recommend?
Yes, venturing to new places – domestically or abroad – with your four-legged pal can be a bit daunting, but the fulfilment of sharing new experiences together makes it all worthwhile. Remember these essential tips for keeping their vegan diet intact without compromising on their enjoyment, and you should have no problems whatsoever.
Bonza’s range of high-quality and science-backed vegan dog food helps to combat diseases and increase immunity with a carefully formulated balance of soluble and insoluble plant-based fibre and prebiotics to support a healthy digestive system. Contact Bonza today to create a balanced, personalised meal plan to help your dog live its longest and best life.
