With so many dog-friendly hotels and dog friendly travel providers, you no longer need to leave your pooch at home when exploring the world. Holidays can be a great way to spend time with your dog, but there’s lots to consider before you travel with your pet. We’ve put together a short guide to help make you and your dog’s holiday as stress-free as possible.

Government Laws Around Travelling Abroad with Pet Dogs

The rules on taking your dog abroad changed in 2021. If you haven’t travelled since then, make sure you check out the new government pet travel guidelines before you book your trip.

Pet passports issued in Great Britain are no longer valid, instead you’ll need a new animal health certificate if you’re travelling to an EU country or Northern Ireland. These are issued by your vet and need to be prepared no more than 10 days before you travel. You’ll need a new certificate every time your dog travels. Book your appointment in advance to make sure you get your dog’s certificate in time for it to be issued within 10 days of your departure.. 

Your dog will need to be vaccinated against rabies and other diseases that we don’t have in the UK, alongside their usual vaccinations. Your vet will be able to advise you on what vaccines your dog needs for your holiday destination.

Rabies vaccinations can only be given to dogs over 12 weeks old. Your dog will need to have a blood test 30 days after the vaccination to ensure it has been successful. You’ll then need to wait 3 months after a successful blood test before your dog can travel.

Your dog will also need to be microchipped, which is a legal requirement in the UK. Microchipping needs to be done before or at the same time as the rabies vaccination. Make sure your dog's microchip is up to date, so you can be quickly contacted if your dog is found.

Tapeworm treatment is a requirement for travelling to Ireland, Northern Ireland, Finland, Malta, and Norway. This needs to be done 1-5 days before you arrive in that country.

You can’t travel with more than 5 pets to an EU country or Northern Ireland unless you have written evidence of registration for a competition, show or sporting event.

If you are travelling to a non-EU country, you’ll need an export health certificate (EHC) and you’ll need to complete an export application form (EXA). An EHC checks that your pet meets the health requirements for travelling to that country. There may be additional restrictions or requirements so make sure to check the local laws of the country you’re travelling to.

What Does an Animal Health Certificate Cost?

Your dog's Animal Health Certificate will need to be issued by your vet. There isn't a set price, so the cost of an Animal Health Certificate can vary from vet to vet and the service they provide. Prices can range from around £99 up to £250. You can find AHC services with a set price for a standard service and some may offer discounts for multiple pets. Some vets may increase the price for an expedited service.

Remember, the certificate is only valid for one trip and must be issued within 10 days of your departure date.

Will My Dog Need to Be Quarantined?

Some countries require your dog to be quarantined and others don’t, so you’ll need to check the regulations for the country that you’re travelling to. There are diseases in other countries that aren’t seen in the UK, usually transmitted by biting insects and ticks. You pet will be highly susceptible to these diseases, and the UK doesn’t have licensed veterinary medicines for treating them.

Quarantining your dog before or after travel is the best option to prevent the spread of disease and to obtain fast and effective veterinary treatment if needed. Also keep in mind that your dog may be affected by the long-distance travel and the changes in temperature, so could benefit from a quarantine period.

What is the Best Way to Travel with My Dog?

If your dog is used to car journeys, it’s often the best option for travelling. You can take plenty of breaks to let your dog go to the loo and get a bit of exercise. It’s best to use a dog crate for travelling in the car as this stops them from climbing over the seats to get to you and offers protection in case of an accident. If your dog has to sit on a seat, make sure they’re fitted with a special harness and dog seat belt.

You can also bring a dog travel bed for extra comfort in the car. If your dog isn’t used to going in the car, you can encourage them using treats and toys. Keep in mind that it can heat up quickly on sunny days, so keep them cool by opening windows and fitting sunshades against the windows.

If you’re travelling by train or bus, there’ll likely be an additional charge for your dog. You’ll need to keep your dog on a lead, or you may need to put your dog in a carrier. Check the requirements with the travel company beforehand so you can be prepared.

Travelling by Eurotunnel is a great option for taking your dog abroad, as your dog gets to stay with you. It’s also usually shorter and cooler than alternatives, like taking a ferry. The downside is that there’s usually a charge, and your dog needs to stay inside the car for the journey. But there are dedicated exercise areas at either side of the tunnel for your dog to stretch its legs and go to the loo.

If you’re travelling by ferry, most companies have dog-friendly cabins so your dog can stay with you. There may also be some dog-friendly areas. But on some routes and with some ferry companies, pets are required to stay in the car on their own. This can be a huge stress for your dog and poses health risks, like heatstroke.

Dogs should never be left alone in a car. If your dog is allowed out of the car, it may be a requirement for them to wear a muzzle, in which case, make sure your dog has been trained to wear one before you travel. Not all ferry providers allow dogs on board and if they do there’s usually a charge, so check with the company before booking.

When travelling by plane, most companies only allow guide or assistance dogs or animals to stay with their owner. All other pets must travel as cargo, which can be stressful and poses some health risks. You’ll need to get your dog used to being in a dog cage before travelling, which can take several weeks.

Discuss your dog’s travel with the airline before the journey as their carrier size and requirements may vary according to their height and weight. The more you organise before, the less stress there will be on the day of travel.

What Do I Need to Take When Travelling with My Dog?

Knowing what to take on holiday can be confusing, so here’s a list of essentials for your dog’s travel bag:

• Collar and lead with an ID tag including your contact number.
• Contact details for the nearest emergency vet services.
• Travel dog bed or blankets that contain familiar scents.
• Dog poo bags.
• Dog crate for travelling or dog travel harness.
• Dog travel sickness medication – speak to your vet first
• Favourite toys for entertainment and familiarity, which provides comfort.
• Food and favourite treats to prevent tummy upsets caused by switching food.
• A muzzle if required – check with your travel company.
• Water for the journey.

If travelling to the EU or Northern Ireland make sure you also have your animal health certificate, microchip details, and proof of a rabies vaccination, tapeworm treatment and any other required vaccines.

Dog Travel Tips and Tricks

When choosing a destination, look for dog-friendly accommodation where there’s access to an open space for exercise and toilet breaks. Check whether your dog can come with you to restaurants and attractions, like beaches, otherwise you’ll need to account for them being left alone in unfamiliar surroundings. Also consider the weather, as not all dogs can cope with high temperatures.

To prevent travel sickness, don’t feed your dog for 2 hours before you leave, and to be on the safe side, it might be worth speaking about some travel sickness tablets for dogs. Avoid travelling with a dog that’s under 3 months old, senior, pregnant, or ill as they’ll likely struggle with the journey. Your vet will help you to determine if your dog is fit for travel. Before travelling, check your dog insurance policy to make sure you’re covered for any accidents or injuries that occur in other countries.

When arriving at your accommodation, allow your dog chance to explore their new surroundings. Don’t leave them alone in an unfamiliar place as it may be distressing for them. Give your dog chance to rest in a quiet and comfortable space to recover from their travels before the holiday fun begins.

When out and about, keep your dog on a lead unless in an enclosed area and safe from any hazards. Your dog may have great recall, but they’ll be in an unfamiliar place with lots of interesting new scents and unusual, possibly frightening noises.

Keep an eye out for any changes to their behaviour as it could be a sign of dog anxiety or illness. Sticking to their normal routine as much as possible will help to prevent distress. This means feeding, walking, and sleeping at the same time they would if they were at home.

Dog friendly holidays are a great way to spend quality time together away from home. There’s lots to do in preparation for your travels, but this can all be booked and sorted in advance to ensure your holiday goes smoothly. When deciding on a mode of transport and your holiday destination, always consider what’s best for your dog.

Although planning a holiday can be stressful, you’ll appreciate the effort when you're relaxing on dog friendly beaches while your furry companion enjoys playing in the sand and splashing in the sea.

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All Everypaw policies come with a range of travel benefits, including cover for vet fees overseas, having to cancel your holiday, cover for replacement documents and quarantine costs.

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Additional content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Canis – www.vetlexicon.com/treat/canis 

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.