According to recent research from the Australian Veterinary Association, Australia has one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world and an increasing number of Australian families are choosing to travel with their four-legged family members.

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The great news is that times are changing and now you don’t need to look too hard to find pet friendly restaurants, activities and hotels.

If you love to travel but hate leaving Fido behind here are five reasons that might convince you to include him on your next trip:

1) Dogs are an important part of the family

Lets face it, that unconditional love between your pet and yourself can’t be beat. The status of dogs is changing and they are becoming more important as family members.

Dogs not only teach kids about taking care of someone else and responsibility, but are the perfect play buddy too.

Dogs have the special quality to bring all the family together.

2) Loveable company

Dogs are always willing to listen and give you affection. Dogs are well known for their loyalty which means they will always be happy to keep you company no matter what your plans are for the day. If your family holiday involves long bushwalks, fun at the beach or simply relaxing under a tree your dog will be excited to do what ever you want.

In addition to keeping you company, your pet will help you feel safer.

Dogs are great personal security guards, they alert you when someone is nearing the front door and will protect you when you are on the streets.

3) A dog is a great icebreaker

Walking your dog is a fantastic way to meet friendly locals.

By nature dogs use their sense of smell to make friends, so they will bring their owners physically closer providing a great opportunity to start a friendly conversation.

Many kids love dogs, so it will also be a great chance for your own kids to make new friends with a little help from your pet.

4) Your dog will help you discover new places

Travelling with your dog forces you to explore places you probably wouldn’t even consider otherwise.

When travelling with your pet the dynamics of the trip changes, you focus more on activities such as visiting parks, pet friendly beaches and quiet neighbourhoods. Your dog will take you and your family off-the-beaten track to discover pet friendly activities and restaurants everywhere you go.

5) Your dog will keep you active

When you are in holiday mode things can really get slow and you run the risk of laziness taking over your family holiday.

The good news is that dogs love their routine, so you will have to get up and go for a walk at least twice a day.

Besides the toilet walks your furry friend will find a way to motivate you and the rest of your family to play with him.

Travelling with your dog does require a little bit more research and planning but it’s totally worth the effort. With the right information and enough planning you’ll realise that travelling with your dog is a rewarding experience for the whole family.

This complete guide to travelling with your pet in Australia is a great start to learn about everything from airline requirements to tips from the pet experts including Dr Katrina Warren.

Have you travelled with your pet before? Do you have any tips or great places to visit? Please SHARE in the comments below.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com

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