It’s no secret that taking a trip to the Smoky Mountains is hands-down one of the best family-friendly vacation options there is. Not only do you and your loved ones get to spend a few days relaxing and bonding with one another, but you also get to experience the majestic beauty of our beloved Smoky Mountains.
That being said, it is hard to consider it a family vacation without inviting all members of the family to come along, including your dog. At Great Outdoor Rentals, we understand that planning a pet friendly Smoky Mountain vacation can be a little difficult with everything you need to remember. However, it doesn’t have to be. Just follow our 9 tips and tricks below!
Make Sure Your Pet is Up-to-Date on Vaccinations
Not only is keeping your pet up-to-date on his/her vaccinations crucial for them to live a long and happy life, it is also pretty important when you are thinking about enjoying a pet friendly Smoky Mountain vacation.
These vaccines help protect your dog in the unlikely event of something happening while you are away from home, as well as protects other families with pets who are visiting the area.
Find Pet Friendly Attractions in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg
While you are here, you and your family will probably want to experience a few of the many exciting attractions and shows that can be found in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg.
A few of our favorite pet friendly attractions in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg include:
- Doggywood at Dollywood
- Hours: 30 minutes before the park opens-30 minutes after the park closes
- Cost: $12-$30
- The Village Shops in Downtown Gatlinburg
- Hours: 10 a.m.-10 p.m., daily
- Cost: Free to walk around
- The Gatlinburg Sky Lift
- Hours: 9 a.m.-11 p.m. daily
- Cost: $14 for adults, $10.50 for children, pets are free
- Cades Cove
- Hours: Sunrise-Sunset
- Cost: Free
For driving directions to any of these pet friendly attractions in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, feel free to use the map below!
Find Something That Will Keep Your Pet Comfortable in the Car Ride
As a pet owner, you probably understand how important it is to make sure that your pet is safe and secure when traveling in the car. Any sudden stop or turn can easily push your poor pup around in the back of your car.
To prevent any injuries or discomfort while you are on your way to your pet friendly Smoky Mountain vacation, be sure to pack up a crate or car harness to secure your dog in the car. An added bonus to using a crate is that you can also use it to keep your pet safe while you are away from your pet friendly Pigeon Forge cabin.
Allow For Extra Time Between Events
As we all know, dogs can sometimes operate on their own schedule. This includes those times you are ready to leave in the morning, but your pet is feeling a little sluggish or taking his/her time with eating breakfast.
Because pets schedules can be a little different than your’s, and that there isn’t really any reasoning with a dog when it comes to time management, we suggest building in a few extra minutes in between events and activities that you and your family want to enjoy to keep your pet happy as well.
Bring Plenty of Food
Some dogs require a special brand or formula for food that may not be available at all shopping centers. If your dog is one of these dogs, or you are unsure of how easily it will be to find your dog’s food brand during your pet friendly Smoky Mountain vacation, we suggest owners be sure to pack a little extra. It is always better to be overly prepared than under prepared when it comes to feeding all members of your family.
Try Packing Old Blankets or Sheets From Home For Pet’s Comfort
Even though vacations to the Smoky Mountains are always fun and exciting, it is easy to feel a little restless the first couple nights of your trip because you are sleeping in an unfamiliar environment. This is particularly true for animals, especially dogs.
You can make your pet friendly cabin in Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge even more comfortable for your pet by remembering to pack an old blanket or sheet from home. The reason for this is that the blanket will have a familiar smell that the dog can associate with home, and therefore can help him/her relax when it is time to go to bed.
Pack an Extra Leash
Have you ever arrived at a destination with your dog in the car to discover that it has chewed through its leash? What about when you discover that you accidentally forgot to bring the leash when you were loading the dog into the car?
Families and guests can easily eliminate this headache by always making sure they pack an extra leash or two for their pets during their pet friendly Smoky Mountain vacation. We recommend that leashes by no longer than 6 feet to help you maintain better control of your dog while him/her, and non-retractable leashes are best when traveling with multiple dogs.
Double-Check You Packed Your Pet’s Medicine
Whether it is a heart worm preventative or something for arthritis, it is always important to have any and all medications your dog needs readily available. If for some reason you accidentally forget one of these meds, you can always call your vet to see if he or she could contact one of the local pet clinics in the area, so you can pick up an extra supply before returning home.
Also, just like for kids, it is important to make sure you have a first aid kit available for in case one of life’s little accidents happens during your pet friendly Smoky Mountain vacation. This first aid kit can include tweezers, hydrogen peroxide, Neosporin, ice pack, cotton balls, and numbers to both your vet at home and the closest emergency clinic to where you will be staying.
Think About Microchipping Your Pet
It is sad to think about, but sometimes our pets can sneak away from us without us realizing it, even when you are on vacation.
If you don’t want to microchip your pet, you can also consider making a new name tag with your contact information and the location of the cabin you are staying in during your pet friendly Smoky Mountain vacation. This way, in the unlikely event that you are separated from your pet during your trip, it will be easier for the person who finds your dog to get in contact with you.
About Our Pet Friendly Smoky Mountain Vacation Cabins
At Great Outdoor Rentals, we offer a total of 27 pet friendly Smoky Mountain vacation cabins. These rentals range in size from cozy one bedroom cabins in Pigeon Forge all the way to spacious 4 bedroom pet friendly cabins in Gatlinburg.
To learn more about our pet friendly Smoky Mountain vacation cabins, give us a call today at 1-800-720-6979. One of our experienced vacation experts will be more than happy to answer any and all questions you may have when planning your family’s next pet friendly Smoky Mountain vacation.