More and more people are taking their four-legged friends on holiday. This is basically a good thing because dogs are very social animals tied to their owner. They do not like to be separated from their pack and mourn after the departed mistresses and masters. why do chihuahua shake when you take your dog with you when traveling, there are a few things you should keep in mind. This starts with the right planning and preparation and goes all the way to the comfortable and safe execution of the trip. Fressnapf guides give you tips on what to look for when on holiday with your dog, and the checklist “Travelling with a dog” will help you to really think of everything!
Before you start: the right planning
The opinion research institute Forsa confirms in a survey that 42% of dog owners generally take their dog with them on holiday and almost 20% at least occasionally.
But for now, think about what you actually want to expect from your dog. This can vary from dog to dog. Many dogs like to drive a car, others get sick and they get sick. A pug on a hiking holiday or a husky on a summer holiday in Sicily? That would certainly not be species-appropriate. In some countries, there are also strict entry requirements, such as muzzle requirements. Also, the dog can possibly become infected with very dangerous diseases in the country. You should check this beforehand.
Also inform yourself about dog beaches, dog-friendly accommodations, or hiking routes for dogs long before your trip with a dog, so that there are no nasty surprises on site.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Can my dog enter my desired holiday country due to the legal entry requirements?
- What are the regional regulations for driving a dog to my desired destination?
- Is the weather reasonable for my dog at the planned holiday time? What special precautions do I have to make for him so that he can easily come to terms with the weather conditions?
- How do you travel to my desired holiday destination in such a way that my dog travels in a species-appropriate way?
- How will I spend my time on vacation? Is that possible with my dog? Do I perhaps need care for him at the holiday destination?
- Are dogs allowed in my accommodation or do I have to look for another one? Does it cost an additional fee to take the dog with you?
Entry requirements: This must be observed
In other EU countries, the EU pet passport must be carried, from which it can be seen that your dog has received all the necessary vaccinations. On the basis of a microchip, your dog can be clearly assigned to the ID card. Some countries require rabies antibody detection, a so-called titer test when entering with a dog.
Entry requirements and local regulations vary from country to country. For example, no docked dogs are allowed to enter Switzerland, and no dog breeds classified as dangerous are allowed to enter Denmark or France. In Italy, you must always have a muzzle and leash with you and in Spain and Portugal dogs are not allowed to travel on public transport. In some regions of Spain, the restrictions go far, so dogs are not allowed on promenades. They are not welcome guests in restaurants (not even on outdoor terraces), in public buildings and on beaches. Even hiking regions are sometimes denied to them, for example, if they are located in national parks.
Also, keep in mind that you want to re-enter Germany with your dog – perhaps from a non-EU country? Therefore, you must also observe the re-entry regulations. It is therefore important to carry out sufficient research for each destination with regard to dog friendliness and entry requirements. Read also the Fressnapf guide “Entry requirements for dogs in EU countries”.
A tip: Hardly any other holiday region is as dog-friendly as Bavaria.
Health check before the trip
Is your dog really fit for the trip? Out of your own interest and out of responsibility for your dog, you should always have a health check carried out by your veterinarian.
Does your dog have all the important vaccinations? Especially in southern Europe, infectious diseases are increasingly occurring in dogs, which are transmitted by sand flies and ticks. These include, for example, diseases such as leishmaniasis, erlichiosis, heartworms, and babesiosis.
Therefore, you should definitely take precautions to protect your dog from this – at least as far as possible. For example, with additional vaccinations, medications or spot-on. Therefore, consult your veterinarian in good time. Unfortunately, even the best precautions do not offer one hundred percent protection. How such a visit to the veterinarian works, you can see in the video below the post.
Safety and first-aid kit
Put together a small first-aid kit for your dog. In addition to medications that your dog may need daily, this should include the following:
The following components belong in every first-aid kit:
- Wound spray or ointment
- Parasite prophylaxis (e.B spot-on preparations)
- Sunscreen for short-haired dogs
- Disinfectant
- Charcoal tablets or other diarrhea preparations
- A mild ear cleaner, sterile saline solution for rinsing
- Electrolyte PowderCescent pliers and tweezers
- Cooling compresses as well as dressing material and scissors
- Remedies for travel sickness
- Emergency numbers of local veterinarians
For the journey in the car – even with a rental car in Germany – a transport box, a luggage net, or a seat belt with a corresponding dog harness for the dog should be on board. According to § 23 of the Highway Code, dogs must be secured in cars so that you and other road users are not endangered by an accident.
Also think about eating: For sensitive dogs or those who need a special diet, it may be advisable to take the proven food with you on holiday. And for dogs that are bared, it may make sense to boil the meat in hot areas.
For quick orientation, Fressnapf has put together the infographic “Travelling with a dog” listed below. There you will find an overview of what is important when choosing the destination, the means of travel, and the composition of luggage.
Special case: Flying with a dog
Special preparations come to you if you are planning a plane trip with your dog. Not all airlines take dogs with them. With other airlines, on the other hand, types of rat terrier small and light dogs up to about eight kilograms can fly in the cabin. For this, you need a special air-permeable bag. However, larger dogs have to go into a transport box and fly in the cargo hold. Since this means particularly great stress for the animal, you should consider whether you want to expect your dog to travel by air. In any case, get your dog used to the transport box a few weeks before the trip. How this works and what else you have to consider when traveling by plane with your dog, you can find out in the detailed Fressnapf guide “Flying with dog”.
Traveling with your dog – Tips and information about a holiday together
Summertime is travel time. And a holiday without a dog is unimaginable for most dog owners! However, the trip together is not suitable for every four-legged friend and you should pay attention to some important things before starting. What? You can find out in this video! if you are travel lover you must visit Hollywood Florida.
More Stories
Turkey Visa for Armenian Citizens
Turkey Visa for Cypriot Citizens: Everything You Need to Know
Indian Visa for Finland Citizens: A Comprehensive Guide