Sometimes a new place can be confusing or unsettling for a pet. These tips may be helpful in keeping their bathroom routine on track and avoiding accidents indoors.

Dogs

• Take your dog to visit the nearest pet relief area when you arrive at your hotel, and again soon after checking into your room. This can reinforce that the relief area is nearby and its purpose.

• Keep in mind that most dogs need to relieve themselves first thing in the morning; after playing, eating or napping; after a new experience or exercise; and before going to bed. Visit the relief area at all of these times.

• Know the signs that a dog needs a bathroom break: sniffing around the room, circling or being restless, pacing to the door and back, standing by the door, moving quickly to the door, pawing at the door, whining or whimpering.

• Take your dog to the pet relief area when you see these signals – don’t make the dog wait when they also may be experiencing anxiety about being in a new place.

• If you catch your dog about to have an accident inside, quickly interrupt and take him or her to the pet relief area. Praise them and give a treat when they use the pet relief area.

• Don’t punish a dog for having an accident inside. Animals don’t understand punishment after the fact, so it can do more harm than good. Instead, take them back to the pet relief area and praise and reward them after they use it.

• Clean soiled areas thoroughly since any odors that remain can encourage a dog to use that space again. Talk with the hotel to make sure all cleaning protocols are followed.

Cats

• If your cat isn’t comfortable with their litter box, they might not use it. It’s helpful to travel with the same size and style of litter box and litter you use at home, so it feels familiar.

• Put the box in an easily accessible place, but one that is quiet and where your cat won’t feel cornered. Keep it out of a high traffic path, like near the hotel room door, or a place where other pets might sneak up on your cat while they’re inside.

• Don’t put your cat’s food or water bowl right next to the litter box. Most cats don’t like to use the bathroom close to their food.

• Try to eliminate sources of stress that might be causing your cat to have accidents. You can also talk with your vet about stress-relieving sprays, diffusers and medications.

• If your cat goes outside the litter box, move the box to that location. If you can’t, then put the cat’s food and water or bed there instead, to discourage further accidents in that place.

• Don’t punish a cat for having an accident inside. Animals don’t understand punishment after the fact, so it can do more harm than good.

• Clean soiled areas thoroughly since any odors that remain can encourage a cat to use that space again. Talk with the hotel to make sure all cleaning protocols are followed.