Advice for travelling abroad with a dog

If you’re taking your dog abroad 

When you’re planning on taking your pet abroad with you, it’s always best to research the rules in the country you’re planning to travel to. For example, if you’re travelling to the EU, you should:

• Make sure your dog is microchipped. And you should do this before they get their rabies vaccination.
• Get your dog vaccinated against rabies. Your dog needs to be at least 12 weeks old before you can vaccinate them against rabies. You’ll need to wait until 21 days after their vaccination before travelling. If your dog is already vaccinated, you should check whether they need a booster vaccination
• Get your pet travel documents in order. Your dog will need an animal health certificate if you’re planning to travel to the EU or Northern Ireland. They may also need a valid pet passport – although pet passports issued in Great Britain are no longer accepted in the EU.
• Get a tapeworm treatment for your dog. Make sure your pooch is protected against tapeworm by getting your vet to treat them before you go abroad. The treatment must have been given no less than 24 hours and no more than 5 days (120 hours) before you arrive. If you’re travelling to Finland, Ireland, Malta, Northern Ireland or Norway, you’ll need to get this treatment recorded on their pet passport.
• Check your return journey. The rules for returning to Great Britain with your pet coming depend on what country you’re coming from.

Read GOV.UK’s official advice for travelling abroad with your pets - to ensure you’re well informed before you go. Remember, there are different rules that apply if you’re planning on visiting a non-EU country.

Consider your dog’s health and safety

Staying abroad can increase your dog’s risk of infectious diseases and parasites, like tapeworm and heartworm. It’s therefore important to stay up to date with deworming treatments while you’re abroad.

Remember to also protect your dog from ticks and mosquitoes – as they can transmit infections that do not occur in the UK. Consult your vet about a suitable preventive preparation for your dog before your travel.

It’s also good to practice caution when encountering other dogs to reduce the risk of rabies – especially dogs and other animals that live on the streets. It’s extra important that your dog is vaccinated against rabies well in advance of your trip.

Driving with your dog

If you’re planning a car trip with your dog, make sure you have the necessary safety requirements covered. You’ll need a transportation cage, load grid or safety belt that is adapted for dogs.

Want to know more about dog car safety? See our guide on UK law and advice for car travel with dogs.

Motion sickness dogs

While many dogs are happy accompanying their owners on car journeys, some dogs do get motion sickness.

To minimise your dog’s likelihood of motion sickness, you can train them to get them used to driving in the car. Start by just sitting in the car with the dog without going anywhere. Then start going short distances – and to fun destinations your dog will enjoy.

Avoid giving your dog food before you go by car if your dog tends to get nauseous and vomit in the car. Your vet can also prescribe motion sickness tablets for your dog.

Take a look at our advice for helping prevent motion sickness in your dog.

Never leave your dog alone in the car

The temperature outside does not have to be particularly high for it to quickly become too hot for your dog inside the car. Even if you have rolled down the window a little, or have parked your car in the shade, the temperature can rise quickly. Read more about taking care of your dog in the heat.

Also keep in mind that cold cars can also be a danger to your dog.

Thinking of flying with your dog?

If you plan to take your dog on an airplane with you, you’ll need to check the rules and regulations of the airline that you’re flying with.

Often airlines will stipulate that small dogs can travel in the cabin, as long as they are in a suitable travel cage – while large dogs will need to be transported in the cargo area in a cage approved for transport.

Airlines will usually have information about travelling with pets on their websites. Make sure you check in advance.

If you plan to leave your dog at home

Get a dogsitter

It’s important to give your dog sitter clear instructions for caring for your dog while you are away. It helps to tell them about:

• Feeding them. What food does your dog eat? At what time do they usually get fed and how much food do you give them?
• Walking them. How often does your dog go for a walk? Where do they like to walk? Be sure to tell them about any potential problems they need to be aware of when walking your dog.
• Your vet's details. Give them the phone number and address in case of emergencies.
• Your dog's insurance details. Share the phone number for the insurance company, and your dog’s insurance details, in case they need to make a claim while you’re away.
• Any behavioural needs that your dog has. For example, don't beg, don't pull on the leash, sit before food, etc.
• Can the dog be alone at home with the dog sitter?
• Any other things they should know about. For example, could there be problems when, for example, meeting other dogs or children?

It can help to think about creating a good environment for your dog while you are away, by thinking about ways to enrich their experience, so they stay happy and stress-free. Also, if your dog has trouble when meeting other dogs on walks, it’s good to let your dog sitter know well in advance so they can plan their walking routes appropriately.

Take your dog to a boarding house

A dog boarding house can be a great alternative if you can’t get a sitter and your dog can’t accompany you on your trip.

When choosing a boarding house, you should research to ensure you choose one that has passed all animal welfare inspections and that you feel confident the standard and care will meet your dog’s needs.

You should also visit your chosen boarding house before arranging your dog’s stay there – to get a good feel for the facilities and the environment.

When choosing your boarding house, you should consider:

• What the resting and grooming routines are
• If any vaccinations are required for their stay there. Make sure your dog has all the necessary vaccinations – at least 2 weeks in advance of their stay at a boarding house.
• What liability and insurance does the dog boarding house have?
• Do the staff have appropriate training?

Written by Amanda Andersson, June 2024. Approved by licensed veterinary specialist Catarina Eliasson.