3 min read
Most pets can travel happily with some planning, and many are safer with you than left behind. The difference between a smooth trip and a stressful one is almost always preparation: the right restraint, the right paperwork and a routine that keeps your animal comfortable.
Travelling by car
An animal loose in a car is a danger to itself and to everyone inside.
Use a crash-tested harness fixed to the seat belt or a secure carrier or crate that cannot slide or tip. Do not let a dog hang its head out of the window, where debris can injure the eyes, and never travel with a pet in the open back of a pickup truck.
Plan frequent stops on longer journeys for water, a short walk and a toilet break. Keep the car well ventilated and cool, and never leave your pet alone in it. If your pet gets car sick, ask your vet about options rather than medicating by guesswork.
Trains, buses and flights
Rules differ by company and country, so read them well before the trip.
Many require a carrier of a given size, a limit on weight, a booking in advance or a fee. Airlines often restrict flat-faced breeds in the hold because of breathing risks, and extreme temperatures can limit when animals are allowed to fly. Ask the company directly and get the rules in writing.
Let your pet get used to the carrier at home weeks beforehand. Leave it open with a blanket and treats inside, so it becomes a familiar and safe place rather than a signal that something stressful is coming.
Travelling abroad: paperwork and health
International travel normally needs identification such as a microchip, up-to-date vaccinations, often including rabies, and an official health document.
Requirements vary widely between countries and can include waiting periods after a vaccine, parasite treatments or blood tests. They can take weeks or months to complete, so start well in advance and check the official rules of the destination country and of any country you pass through, as well as the rules for coming home.
Ask your vet which health risks exist at your destination, such as local parasites and diseases, and how to prevent them. Do not rely on forum posts for legal requirements; use official government sources.
What to pack
Pack your pet's usual food, since a sudden change of diet on a trip invites stomach trouble, along with bowls, fresh water, medication, vaccine and identification documents, a leash and spare collar with an identity tag, waste bags, a familiar bed or blanket and a few toys. A small first-aid kit and the number of a vet near your destination are worth including.
Make sure the microchip details and tag show a phone number that works while you are away.
Accommodation and the destination
Book pet-friendly accommodation before you go and confirm the rules about size, number of animals, fees and whether pets may be left alone in the room.
Do not improvise on arrival. At the destination, keep your pet on a leash, since unfamiliar places make escape more likely. A new environment can unsettle even calm pets, so keep routines for feeding and walks as stable as possible.
Is travel right for your pet?
Some animals are very anxious travellers, are very old or unwell, or belong to breeds that struggle in heat or with air travel.
In those cases a trusted pet sitter or a good boarding facility may be kinder. Talk to your vet if you are unsure, especially before flying.