Somewhere in Delhi right now, a Labrador is lying flat on a cool bathroom floor, waiting for summer to give up. A Persian cat has claimed the spot right under the AC. A beagle has stopped asking for evening walks because the road is still warm at 8 pm. If any of this sounds like your house, this one is for you. And for them.

Winter comes early to the hills, and Suwakholi gets it first. Mornings turn crisp, the air smells of pine, and the evenings bring the kind of cold every fur coat was made for. At Highlanders Café & Stay, about 20 minutes from Mussoorie on the Dhanaulti Road, pets are welcome. So this guide is for everyone who has looked at their dog (or cat, or rabbit) and thought: what if we take them along this time?

Why your pet will love a winter in the hills

Dogs don’t care about viewpoints. They care about smells, space, and having their people around all day. The hills give them all of it.

Cats welcome too

Not a dog person? Bring the cat anyway.

Pet-friendly doesn’t only mean dogs. Cats travel well when they have their carrier, their litter and one blanket that smells like home. Rabbits and birds can come too, as long as you keep them away from cold draughts at night.

Pets are welcome at Highlanders with prior confirmation. Tell us who’s coming when you book (name, size, and how they feel about other animals) and we’ll suggest the stay that suits them best.

Meet the welcome committee

Your pet won’t be the only furry guest on the hill. Highlanders has a few residents of its own: two big, fluffy Tibetan Mastiffs who treat the first snowfall like a personal gift, and Ukki, a rescued pup who found a home here and hasn’t looked back since.

Big dogs can feel like a lot to a small one, so do the first hello slowly, on a leash, with treats in your pocket. After that, expect plenty of sniffing and very little drama.

Zoomies incoming

Snow days, if you’re lucky

In peak winter, Suwakholi sometimes wakes up white. Snow doesn’t follow a schedule, so nobody can promise it. But if it falls while you’re here, you’ll see the moment your dog meets it: the confused sniff, the careful first step, and then the zoomies.

• Dry the paws after every walk. Little ice balls can form between furry toes.
• Jackets for short coats. Pugs, beagles, indies and small dogs feel the cold more, especially mornings and nights.
• A little snow, not a lot. A few licks are fine. Mouthfuls can upset a stomach.
• Warm and dry before bed. A damp dog in a cold room is an unhappy dog.

Are we there yet?

The drive up, pet edition

Most guests drive in from Delhi, Dehradun or further. The hill stretch after Dehradun is all curves, and pets feel them just like we do.

• Feed light, and early. A small meal three or four hours before you leave means fewer surprises on the back seat.
• Stop every couple of hours for water, a short walk and a good sniff around.
• Windows open a crack, not all the way. Heads out of the window and mountain roads don’t mix.
• Never leave them alone in a parked car. Not even in winter.
• Prone to carsickness? Talk to your vet before the trip, and carry their vaccination record.

What to pack

Which stay works best with a pet?

Every stay at Highlanders takes pets with prior confirmation. Here’s how we’d match them:

Quick answers