Vegas Has Gone Dog-Friendly, Who Knew?

Las Vegas has become a Dog-Friendly vacation spot – who knew this transformation was quietly taking place?  Now vacationers can travel to Las Vegas with their best buddy and you will both be pampered.  So there’s no reason to leave your chick-magnet or guy-getter at home!  Here’s Where to Find The Best Pet Friendly Hotels in Las Vegas.

Vegas usually would not be the first option that pops in your mind when you think of a dog-friendly vacation spot. The hedonism, heat and a hard-nosed refusal to allow dogs anywhere close to the hotels on the strip made Vegas an anathema for travelers and their pets. But ever since the summer of 2011, things have changed.

Taking your dog with you to Las Vegas is no longer a traveler’s dream, it’s a reality. More than a hundred Las Vegas hotels, since 2011, have added dog-friendly services to their already extensive list of amenities. Massages for your four-legged friend, plush beds, personalized water bowls, mouth-watering menus and easy to access dog-walking services have made Las Vegas one of the most pet-friendly destinations in the US.

Some of the hotels that provide such services are located near the Las Vegas Strip and close to dog parks, medical facilities and pet stores. Pet owners averse to leaving their pooches back home have now found a safe haven in the many pet resorts and hotels that dot the city. Some of these lodgings even accept pets for free while others require you shell out from $25 to up to $200. Pet owners can also use the many pet boarding kennels that abound in the city to give their pooch their own little relaxing vacation.

Sin City Going to the Dogs, Literally

There hardly used to be any hotels that would accommodate pets in Las Vegas. The only options available were the smaller, more decrepit lodgings available a long way from the city. But today, many properties, including 4-star hotels, allow pets. Westin Properties, Planet Hollywood, Paris Las Vegas, The Rio and Caesar’s Palace are just a few examples.

If you prefer a more off-beat location, Lake Las Vegas, just south of Las Vegas, has a lot of resorts and hotels that offer pet accommodation as well as more space for your dog to indulge in the exercise it needs. Here are a few hotels in Las Vegas that do not shy away from opening their doors for their guests’ canine companions.

Caesars Palace– You can rest assured that Rufus will receive VIP treatment when you travel to any of Caesars Entertainment’s many properties in Las Vegas. Caesars Palace, Rio, Paris Las Vegas, Harrah’s, Bally’s, Planet Hollywood, and Flamingo Las Vegas, all have the standard PetStay Las Vegas program.

The guests receive in-room amenities like dog treats, food and water dishes as well as a pet mat. They also provide maps guiding the owners to the best dog-walking routes, on-site relief areas and a variety of other resources like grooming services, pet sitting services, pet walkers and vets. The charges per dog can range from $25-$40 per dog, but is worth it considering the oatmeal peanut butter treats your dog will be gorging on.

The Hotel at Mandalay Bay – They will probably be greeting your dog with about as much enthusiasm as your dog greets you on coming home. The staff welcomes the pets with treats and relief bags and has an entire floor designated for dog stays. The menu contains chef-prepared entrees like Canine Chop, a mix of beef tenderloin, rice and carrots.

Services for dog walking, sitting and crating are also available. They also have an aptly named Barking Lot Lane to give the dogs their much needed exercise. The price per dog can go up to $50 for a night. They accommodate up to two dogs per customer with a combined weight of less than 100 pounds.

Trump International Hotel – The newly enhanced Trump Pets program allows their four-legged guests to take part in the “Paws Massage Package” that offers a 30-minute Trump Classic Massage for guests along with a 30-minute massage for their canine companion. A couples’ massage with a difference, nothing helps more in relaxing than getting kneaded and pampered by professional therapists.

Trump International Hotel was one of the first hotels in Vegas to welcome pets, and their pet fee is the costliest here. The hotel donates a portion of the fee to the Nevada SPCA. Their fees start from $150, with the massage adding another $150 if you choose to go for it.

Residence Inn, Hughes Center – This Marriot property is one of the only hotels in Las Vegas to welcome not just dogs, but also cats, fish and birds at its three Las Vegas properties. They have hosted pets as exotic as a sloth, a small caribou, penguins and even an Asian Water Monitor lizard that can grow up to six feet long.

There is ample space to walk the dogs outside but there are no special amenities. But hey, they might just be the only hotel in Vegas willing to house your pet iguana. Their costs are $100 per stay for one or two pets, each of which must be under 65 pounds.

Rumor Las Vegas Hotel – Just two blocks off the Strip, it only accommodates small dogs. But its monthly program, aptly named Yappy Hours on every third Thursday, allows guests and their canines to enjoy a DJ, cocktails, and such turkey treats. Different trick contests are also held regularly here which can win the top-dog a free stay at the hotel. They charge about $25 a night for dogs less than 25 pounds.

Places to Visit with Your Pup

Hot Spring Mountain Ranch – Located in the Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area, surrounded by Wilson Range’s majestic cliffs, it has many beautiful trails and spots for a picnic. Dogs can be taken here on a leash but are not allowed to enter buildings.

Shadow Rock Park & Desert Breeze County Park – These sprawling parks have scenic picnic tables, sports fields and a dog park, dogs here can go off-leash in designated areas.

Lake Mead – 25 km from Las Vegas, Lake Mead is located in Boulder city over 1.5 million acres. Dogs here are only allowed on a leash.

Pets in Las Vegas Do’s and Not-to-Do’s

City ordinance in Las Vegas requires the dogs to be leashed at all times and that the owners clean up after them. Failing to clean up behind your dog can result in a hefty fine. Carrying your dog’s record from a local vet is also advisable as is making sure that your pooch’s vaccinations are up to date.

Las Vegas is hot from March right down to October and your dog can get dehydrated rapidly or get overheated. Carry plenty of water and do not leave him out in the sun or in a car. Stay updated with the PetStay regulations at the hotel you choose to avoid hassles.

Having your dog along with you in Vegas can definitely be a big plus to your trip as there are numerous locations around the city to be explored with pets in tow. The city also offers a variety of dog events and dog friendly restaurants for you to take advantage of. However, if you are planning on getting blotto and hitting the casinos, it would be better to leave the pooches back home.

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About The Author:  Nicola Reynor is a community manager and a web presence strategist for Dog Love It, the best doggy supply store ever! In her spare time she loves to write about her pet love, and go hiking with her two dogs.
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Photo Credit:  Caesars Palace