For those of us that love to travel, making sure that our pets are well taken care of can pose a challenge. If you’re not into boarding your pet, the only option is to bring him or her with, and for those lucky dogs, we’re compiling our favorite pet-friendly hotels across the United States. These properties welcome pets and often provide dog beds and bowls, but as you’ll see with some of our favorite pet-hotel, some amenities are over the top luxury for your canine companion.

Mandarin Oriental, Miami

Here in sunny Miami, we’re all about the pampered pet. The Mandarin Oriental will walk your dogs once a day for free and also offers access to trainers through their Play Date and Training Dates. Your dog will also enjoy his own bed and doggy turn-down service.

Loews Coronado Bay Resort, Coronado

Surf’s up at the Loews Coronado Bar Resort. Known for their annual dog surfing content held in June, the Loews offers a pet program with a twist. Sign your dog up for doggy surfing complete with the whole surfer get-up. He or she will be hanging ten in no time.

Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch, Beaver Creek

The Ritz is known for unparalleled service and luxury and the same philosophy applies to your pets. Dogs at the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch can enjoy tons of space to roam and run, in-room massages, a special room service menu, and plush dog beds. Dog fees range from $25 to $125 and are donated directly to the ASPCA.

The Muse Hotel by Kimpton, New York City

Specially made for city dogs, the Muse offers a doggy welcome package including treats, an umbrella, and even a dog mani-pedi for pampered pooches. Kimpton properties across the country are known for the dog-friendly policies and eccentric, boutique décor. Various Kimpton properties host doggy happy hours a couple times per week where dogs can enjoy treats and water while their owners opt for a more adult human beverage.

The W Hotel, Scottsdale

We love the the W Hotel in Scottsdale because of our shared love of “doga” or dog yoga. Dogs that stay at this property can get their child’s pose on, or opt for a more heart-pumping activity with their daily bootcamps.

For a complete list of dog-friendly hotels, check out DogFriendly.com to find a resort located in your next vacation destination!

It’s always tempting to slide your dog a piece of steak from the family dinner table, but many people aren’t sure which foods are safe for dogs to consume and which foods you need to avoid.

Here’s a quick breakdown on foods to avoid when it comes to your furry friends:

Alcohol

For the friend that thinks it’s funny to feed your dog beer your Superbowl party, alcohol is off limits for animals. This can cause a range of health issues including nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, and difficulty breathing. If you suspect that your dog has gotten into your stash of booze, contact your vet immediately.

Chocolate, Coffee and Caffeine

The common denominator among all these items is a substance called methylxanthines, an ingredient found in cacao seeds. Among less serious health issues, these items can cause seizures or even death when imbibed in excess.

Macadamia Nuts

Although Macadamia Nuts may only cause a temporary issue in dogs, they could cause weakness, depression, nausea, or digestive issues for a period of 12 to 48 hours.

Dairy Products

Dairy triggers food allergies in dogs, so it’s best to skip the cream-based human treats that you might be tempted to share. Diarrhea and digestive issues can also result from ingesting milk, ice cream, or yogurt.

Salty Snacks

Extra salty foods and snacks can make dogs extra thirsty, lead to excess urination and contribute to dehydration. Pretzels, popcorn, and potato chips fall into this category.

Grapes and Raisins

It is unknown what the exact ingredient is in grapes and raisins that causes harm to your dogs, however these food items have been known to lead to kidney failure in dogs. Until more information is made available, it’s best to avoid feeding your dog anything in the grape family.

Coconut and Coconut Oil

While most people believe that coconut oil is a cure-all for just about everything, it may not be safe for your dog in large amounts. There are properties in coconut and coconut oil that can upset your pet’s stomach and potentially cause diarrhea. Use caution and talk to your vet about these items before sharing them with your dog.

Raw or Expired Food

If you wouldn’t eat it, don’t feed it to your dog either. Check the expiration dates on things like eggs, lean meats, and produce to make sure that nothing has been spoiled.

If you suspect that your dog has ingested too much of any of the foods listed above contact your vet immediately. If you cannot get a hold of your vet, you can also contact the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435.

Many people tout the benefits of aromatherapy, especially when used in conjunction with essential oils and even meditation. Like most things that are good for humans, aromatherapy can also benefit your dog and be used to reduce anxiety related to separation, storm phobia, or past trauma. (Or just mellow him or her out before a road trip.)

The practice of aromatherapy dates back over 3,000 years to when Egyptians used aromatherapy in the form of incense to honor their gods. Additionally, for centuries, the practice of using essential oils, the derivatives of plant based materials that comprise aromatherapy, were the only known cure for many ailments and diseases.

According to OrganicFacts.net, “Some of the health benefits of aromatherapy include its ability to reduce anxiety, ease depression, boost energy levels, speed up the healing process, eliminate headaches, boost cognitive performance, induce sleep, strengthen the immune system, reduce pain, improve digestion, and increase circulation.”

While many of these benefits apply to humans, they can also apply to man’s best friend.

Aromatherapy can be a great way to help your dog relax or enhance their mood, but veterinarians should always be consulted before you use essential oils on your pet. As a rule of thumb, essential oils should also be diluted or diffused and not applied directly to your dog’s skin or coat.

Some safe essential oils to use are:

Lavender: Useful in acclimating dogs to new space or den. May reduce allergies, burns, anxiety, or give pets a sleepy feeling which is useful before travel.

Cardamom: Helps with digestion issues and has anti-bacterial properties.

Fennel: Balances pituitary glands and help diffuse toxins in the body.

Spearmint: Helps with weight reduction, colic, and digestive issues. (Also great for cats!)

Want to try aromatherapy with your dog? Select one of the safe essential oils above and start out by applying the oil to yourself and wearing around your pet so they can get used to the scent. Once they have become comfortable with the scent, dilute 3-5 drops (less for smaller dogs) by 80-90% with another safe carrier oil. Once diluted, essential oils are safe to apply to paws or fur (after blending in your own hands). Every animal is different, and you should consult your veterinarian before using essential oils with your pets, especially if there is a specific health ailment that you are trying to address.

Enjoy your aromatherapy and let us know how it goes with your dog!