Travel & holidays with our pet: The ultimate guide for carefree experiences!

Sharing our holidays with our four-legged friend is, for many of us, an essential part of our summer getaway. However, to enjoy our trip without stress, proper preparation is required. From vaccinations and all the necessary documents, to choosing pet-friendly accommodation and complying with the regulations for transportation by ferry, car, or airplane, let’s take a look at everything we need to know so that both humans and companion animals can enjoy an organized, carefree, and safe vacation.

Before the trip: Veterinary care, medication & documents

The health and safety of our pet is a top priority. Before we leave for our holidays, it is recommended to visit the vet for a full medical check-up 20-30 days in advance. We should also ensure we have the pet’s health booklet with all vaccinations and deworming recorded, as well as its passport and microchip, registered on the Ministry of Rural Development and Food’s platform for trips abroad.

Of course, we should also remember to pack antihistamines for allergies, antidiarrheals, bandages, ointment for injuries or burns, ampoules or sprays against parasites (fleas, ticks), etc.

Traveling with a pet: Car, ferry, airplane

Depending on the means of transport we choose, there are different requirements and rules we need to consider:

By car:

• Never leave the animal alone inside a vehicle
• Use a special travel crate or a dog seatbelt
• Stop every 2–3 hours for water, toilet, and rest
• Bring a portable water bowl and food in a travel container

By ferry:

• Check with the ferry company about pet transport policies [most offer pet-friendly cabins and accommodation areas (kennels)]
• Use a leash and muzzle in shared areas (deck, ship interior)
• Make sure our pet is wearing an ID tag with its name and our phone number

By airplane:

• Contact the airline early for availability and specific regulations
• Most airlines allow small pets (<8kg) in the cabin in a special carrier
• Larger animals travel in the cargo hold, with special handling
• Choose direct flights without layovers for our and our pet’s convenience

Choosing accommodation: What to watch for

The choice of the right accommodation plays a key role in the overall travel experience. Apart from making sure that the place we choose is pet-friendly, we also need to check whether there is an extra charge for pets, whether pets are allowed inside the room or only in outdoor spaces, and finally, if the property has a garden or yard.

Beaches & public spaces: What applies to our pet

Pets are allowed in public spaces (e.g., roads, parks, city areas, squares) as well as on non-organized beaches. However, the main rule for pet guardians is to carry and use a leash, muzzle, and waste bags. Of course, we don’t forget their water and food, and we avoid crowded areas, heavy traffic, or places with many children if our pet is not well-socialized and gets stressed.

Pet’s suitcase

To have peace of mind and keep our pet happy, we don’t forget to bring:

• Food for the entire trip duration
• Portable water & food bowls
• Favorite toys & blanket
• Medications
• ID tag with name & phone number
• Waste bags, towels, cleaning supplies
• Leash, muzzle, brush

Safety & handling the unexpected

Life is full of surprises. To handle them in the best possible way, we prepare for all eventualities. We note down the phone number of our personal and a local vet, and we carry with us a recent photo of our pet for identification in case it gets lost.
With the proper organization and planning, traveling with our pet and our shared holidays will be truly memorable!