Pet care could be covered under your travel policy too. (Image: Getty Images)
This article is brought to you by our exclusive subscriber partnership with our sister title USA Today, and has been written by our American colleagues. It does not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald.
Going on holiday is something us Brits look forward to the most, but leaving behind our beloved pets can cause extra emotional and financial strain.
It can be distressing to drive off and leave your pooch in a kennel or to trust that you’ve got the right pet sitter.
The worry, guilt, and rising pet care costs add unexpected pressure to what should be a time to relax and recharge.
How much is it to look after a dog for a week?
According to recent research, the average cost of a week’s overnight care for a dog in the UK is around £204.61 per week, with luxury kennels charging as much as £560.77.
Even if you choose to hire a sitter, overnight rates typically range from £60 to £75 per night, almost as much as a luxury spa treatment.
While many holidaymakers budget for their flights, hotels, and spending money, most don’t expect to have to fork out hundreds of pounds to ensure their pets are cared for while they’re away.
Another consideration is that if your return journey home from your holiday is struck by unavoidable delays and disruptions, its likely you’ll be charged extra kennel fees to keep your pet for any unexpected additional nights.
How to make sure your pet is cared for – even if you’re struck by delays
A money expert has revealed an easy hack that pet owners should look out for to overcome these last-minute extra kennel fees if delays were to occur.
The key is to buy the right travel insurance policy. Depending on their travel insurance, travellers can usually claim back any unexpected kennel fees for their furry companions if they have this travel delay benefit.
Hannah Mayfield, a money expert working with specialist travel insurance comparison company PayingTooMuch , said: “With the right policy the cost of pet care is covered in the form of additional kennel or cattery fees if you are delayed on your return home.
Do I Need Travel Insurance?
“It’s a small additional cover benefit but for anyone who travels and boards their pet, it's reassuring to know you can recoup some of the cost if you were stuck abroad longer than anticipated,” she advises.
Not all policies include this benefit, but those that do gives you that extra peace of mind— not just from a financial point of view but also that your fury friends can continue to be looked after and remain in a safe place until you return.
How pet owners can claim on their travel insurance
“If you have pets, it’s best practice to check if your travel insurance policy covers unplanned additional boarding fees due to travel delays,” Hannah continued.
Recommended Reading:
Just remember to look under the “delayed return” or “additional expenses” section of your policy.
Hannah added: “Keep all official documentation of any delays — as you'll need this to send to your insurer to claim for the extra kennel or cattery costs.
“Travellers should also check what counts as a valid delay; it's usually something outside of your control, like a medical emergency, severe weather, airline cancellations, or air traffic control strikes.”
