Traveling with a pet: You should pay attention to this!

Summertime is travel time. Do you want to take your four-legged friend with you on vacation? Then there are a few things to consider so that you can enjoy a relaxed and safe trip without unpleasant surprises.

Here we have put together the most important points for traveling with your dog or cat:

First, of course, it is important to check how your pet benefits from traveling together. Is your four-legged friend healthy and (longer) transportation reasonable? Are pets even welcome at the holiday destination and is your destination also suitable for your four-legged friend? After all, what good is the most beautiful mountain landscape if the hotel does not allow dogs or a spacious camping site in nature where your cat is not allowed to roam around. And once you've found pet-friendly accommodation, don't forget to check what the local situation is with taking dogs to restaurants or public transport, for example. Is leash or muzzle compulsory? What is the situation with veterinary care on site?

If you have carefully selected your destination and suitable for all travelers, there are a few things to consider about entering or leaving the country, which sometimes have to be organized a few weeks in advance.

Traveling to EU countries

In particular, if your holiday destination is abroad, your pet must be marked with an ISO microchip and carry an EU pet passport. In addition, all necessary vaccinations (especially against rabies), examinations and any treatments must be carried out completely and in good time by a vet and documented in the pet passport, which acts as a vaccination certificate.

Even when traveling within the EU, you must be able to prove that your dog or cat has a valid rabies vaccination. This is valid if revaccination has always been carried out regularly and in good time (normally within 3 years of primary vaccination) or, in the case of a primary vaccination, if at least 21 days have elapsed between vaccination and entry. For puppies, it is therefore possible to travel to another EU country from the age of 15 at the earliest, as rabies vaccination is only carried out from the 12th week of age. When traveling to Finland, Ireland and Malta, dogs must also be treated for tapeworms.

In addition to health requirements, there are also country-specific regulations within the EU regarding, for example, the entry of certain dog breeds or the length of stay. In Denmark and France, for example, pit bull terriers and tosa inu are among the prohibited dog breeds.

Traveling to non-EU countries

Outside the EU, travel regulations for pets are generally regulated by country. However, there are many non-EU countries (so-called third countries) whose regulations are similar to those of the EU: the EU pet passport with rabies vaccination is sufficient for entry into Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City, Monaco and Gibraltar. Additional tapeworm treatment is required for Northern Ireland and Norway.

Before going on vacation in a third country, the re-entry requirements to the EU in particular must be carefully checked. After staying in some third countries, an antibody test for rabies is required to return to the EU. This also includes some popular holiday destinations such as Turkey, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Thailand and South Africa. This antibody test must therefore be carried out by the vet in good time before going on vacation — but at the earliest 30 days after a rabies vaccination. This is a blood test in which the amount of antibodies against the rabies virus (so-called antibody titer or vaccine titer) is tested in a specialized laboratory and thus provides information about the immune response, i.e. how to protect your animal from a rabies infection.

A good and always up-to-date overview of the travel regulations of the various EU and non-EU countries can be found on this page: Pets on Tour - Traveling with your pet.

Motion sickness and parasites

In addition to the treatments required by law, depending on the holiday destination, there are some treatments that are also useful and therefore absolutely recommended so that your four-legged friend does not become infected with “motion sickness”.

Flea and tick protection is generally recommended and protects not only against the annoying pests themselves, but also against diseases that are transmitted by them, such as tapeworm infestations, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis or Lyme disease. You should also protect your pet against mosquitoes with suitable preparations, e.g. with active ingredient collars or means to apply to the skin. Heartworms, for example, are transmitted by mosquitoes, and sand flies can infect your animal with leishmaniasis. In addition to mosquito protection, countries with leishmaniasis incidence should also be vaccinated against Leishmania (e.g. in Italy, southern France, Spain and Portugal). It is best to discuss in detail with your vet which measures are appropriate and necessary in each country.

Traveling by car

When you take your four-legged friend on vacation in the car, plan enough time for stops — a drinking and walking break, some fresh air and exercise are good for all passengers. The safest place for your dog is in a well-fixed dog crate. When transporting larger dogs in the trunk, there should be a safety gate and the dog should also be secured by a suitable belt system. Your cat should always be transported in your transport box or bag — this not only provides safety, but also a familiar environment. Through boxing training, you can ideally prepare your furry friend for a trip in the transport box, so that getting in is child's play and the box serves as a place of comfort. Information on suitable transport systems for pets can be found here: Dog in car: Dog transport systems | ADAC.

Avoid periods of heavy traffic so as not to get stuck unnecessarily in traffic — early in the morning, late in the evening or at night, the roads are usually less busy, and in summer you can also avoid the greatest heat as much as possible. Very important: Never leave your dog or cat in the parked car — not even “briefly”. Read also our article on the topic of “overheating”.

If your dog or cat has a very sensitive stomach, you should stop giving (large quantities) of food approximately 8-12 hours before departure.

Transport by plane

Not every airline allows pets to be transported and the capacity to carry them is often limited. So check directly with the airline in good time whether and under what conditions your pet can fly with you. In the cabin, only smaller dogs or cats weighing up to approx. 8 kg can travel in a transport box — this must comply with the dimensions of the hand luggage and be waterproof and breathable. Larger dogs must be transported in the luggage or cargo hold — the box should be large enough that your pet can lie down comfortably in it, turn around and even stand. It is best to place an absorbent pad under your pet's familiar blanket. It is essential to label the box well with your contact details, and it is also recommended to attach copies of all important health data about your animal (pet passport, vaccination/health certificates, etc.) to the box. The same applies here: Be sure to get your four-legged friend used to the pits in good time and give him a maximum of one small meal immediately before the trip — something to drink should of course always be available.

Rail travel

If you start your journey together by train, choose as direct connections as possible or connections with few intermediate stations/transfers. Avoid busy periods — it is usually not possible to reserve seats for dogs. Smaller dogs (up to the size of a domestic cat) can usually be carried free of charge in the transport box, larger dogs usually pay half the fare and must usually be on a leash and wear a suitable muzzle. More detailed information about traveling with animals on trains within Germany can be found at www.bahn.de.

Our extra tips:

• In the transport box, offer your four-legged friend ice cubes instead of water, this prevents spillage and provides additional cooling.
• Special pheromone sprays can be used in the transport box or even in the new environment to give your pet a feel-good atmosphere.
• Pack a small first-aid kit to be prepared for minor “emergencies” even on vacation: Here A small list for you.
• Find out in advance about veterinary care at the holiday destination.
• Even though we ourselves enjoy the culinary variety on vacation - pack a sufficient amount of favorite treats and the usual food for your furry friend - there is no need to change the diet as well.
• Make an appointment with your vet in good time to get optimal advice regarding parasites, vaccinations and entry requirements. In the FILU travel consultation, our veterinarians will be happy to explain to you individually which steps need to be prepared for your next vacation.

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