Travelling with Your Pet: The Ultimate Guide

The growing number of pet-friendly travel destinations and attractions makes holidaying with your pet easier than it ever has been. This doesn’t, however, mean that travelling with a pet is easy. There’s lots to consider before you pack up your dog’s bed or pull out your cat’s travel crate.

Travelling with your pet comes with a host of benefits. Having your pet join you on holiday gives you peace of mind knowing they are safe and happy. You don’t have to miss them and they provide great company. Travelling with a pet makes meeting people a breeze and it can also force you to slow down and get more R&R.

On the flip side, travelling with a pet can be stressful for both you and your pet. Long travel days combined with new environments can cause anxiety for both parties and despite improvements being made to where you can take your pet these days, travelling with a pet can still be limiting. Museums, galleries and other indoor activities still make moving freely with your pet a challenge.

If you’re happy to look past all this and take your pet on your next adventure, here are some things you should know…

1. Lots of people are doing it

Did you know that 19% of dog owners take their dogs on holidays with them and that 2% of cat owners take their cat? Some people even base their holidays around their pet, choosing pet-friendly accommodation options that include things like dog-walking and doggy day spas!

2. There are different ways to travel with a pet

Every destination and source of travel has different protocols, so it’s wise to do some research. For airlines to accept your pet for travel, you’ll need to confirm that your pet is more than 8 weeks old and that they have had a full check up before flying. You’ll also need to meet all their specific guidelines and requirements.

There are some trains and buses that allow you to take a pet, but it’s rare. More often than not, public transport is restricted to assistance animals only.

If travelling in a car, you’ll need to reduce the risk of injury to your pet by keeping your pet restrained. The RSPCA can issue fines under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act if an animal is injured because it was unrestrained in a vehicle.

3. There are accommodation options galore

Be it camping, a hotel, a cabin, AirBnB or resort, there are so many ways to enjoy pet-friendly accommodation. Some of these choices may require a nominal booking fee or fee waiver, but many don’t charge anything extra. If you’re not sure if you can bring your pet, just ask.

4. A checklist will help

To ensure a smooth and comfortable trip for both you and your pet, download a free travel checklist. RSPCA Pet Insurance offers a good one, or you can create your own. Either way, having a list to check off will give you confidence that you’re not forgetting anything important.

5. Insurance offers security

Just like any form of travel, there are risks involved. Taking out pet insurance protects your pet should something happen when you’re away from home.

6. Practice makes perfect

If your pet has never been on a long journey before, get them ready for the trip by taking them on short trips and then gradually building on the time spent in the car. Stick with the same routine every time so that they gain familiarity. If you’re taking your pet on a plane, take them to the airport a few times ahead of your flight so they can get used to the busy environment.

7. Reduced energy is key

Having a highly strung pet that is full of energy will make any travel challenging. Before you take any long journey, take your pet for a walk or play with them to burn off their excess energy. Feeling tired will make for a more peaceful journey.

8. Comfort is king

Pack the things that your pet feels comfortable with. This might be their favourite dog bed, a toy they snuggle up with, or their regular food bowls. When preparing a crate for comfort, line it with absorbent bedding. You might also want to consider anxiety-reducing products like a pheromone collar or lavender oil, which you can sprinkle inside the carrier for a calming effect.

9. Your pet might wander

There’s lots to explore in a new environment and it’s possible that your pet may wander. Be sure to have an up-to-date microchip and ID tag attached to your pet’s collar and if you’re really worried, invest in a pet tracker. If your pet is travelling on a plane in a crate, be sure to attach your pet’s identification to the crate.

10. A vet visit is important

Whether it’s a mandatory part of pet travel or not, visiting your pet’s vet before you travel is important. Certain countries may require blood tests, rabies certificates, and specific vaccines as much as 6 months in advance of travel. Failure to abide by these rules could cause you to be separated from your pet in your destination country.

The importance of research

Both for safety and enjoyment reasons, research is required when it comes to pet travel. A hotel may claim to be pet-friendly but if all its neighbouring attractions are pet-restrictive, it will limit what you can and can’t do on your holiday. You earned this time away and you deserve to enjoy it.

The ultimate goal of pet travel research is to keep your pet comfortable and healthy while travelling. Planning and preparation is crucial, but worth it. Get your planning and preparation right and taking your pet with you on your travels will only add to your enjoyment and adventure.