Many of us fancy travelling to Europe to explore the amazing sights, taste the mouth-watering cuisines, and experience the variety of cultures which are in such close proximity to each other. However, travelling to Europe with a dog can be a daunting prospect due to needing to meet health requirements, the paperwork involved, restrictions in certain cities, and even managing our dog whilst adhering to our full itinerary.
It was daunting to me even though I’m a vet. After my wife and I have travelled with our Labrador for over 10 weeks from the UK to Europe, driving over 11,000 kilometres and visiting over 10 countries during this time, I can assure you that it is not difficult.
The following tips will help you travel to Europe with a dog and enjoy all that the countries have to offer, without having to stress about not getting their travel requirements and needs right:
1. Start planning your trip at least one month before travelling.
You may need to wait at least 3 weeks or longer after certain vaccinations before your dog is allowed to travel. Depending on where you are travelling from, additional blood tests may be required to check for certain diseases before travelling.
2. Decide what mode of transport you are using to reach Europe with a dog.
From the UK, the Eurotunnel or ferry are the most popular options. You will need to take into consideration the requirements of the travel provider, for example most ferry companies do not allow you to remain with your dog unless you book a pet-friendly cabin (passengers have to be on the upper decks and pets have to remain in the vehicles). So the mode of your travel is worth bearing in mind if your pet has separation anxiety, any health conditions which could be worsened, or if they are normally nervous in vehicles even when you are there to comfort them.
For any flights, your pet may be placed in the cargo compartment, and only certain airlines accept pets. Sedating animals during transport is not allowed as it prevents them from regulating their body temperature during the flight, which can be fatal. If you think your dog may be anxious or scared during the journey, you could try a pheromone spray or natural calming supplements to help them. If travel extremely stresses them out or they have certain health conditions, speak to your vet before travelling or consider not taking them with you.
3. Check the export and import requirements of each country you are visiting.
Remember, not all countries in Europe are part of the EU, so may have different entry requirements. If your pet does not have an EU pet passport then additional paperwork may be required. Don’t forget to check the re-entry requirements for your own country (for example the UK requires pets to be treated for tapeworms a certain period before travel).
I would always directly contact the respective government authorities to find out, for example in the UK a lot of reliable information can be found on the government website: https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad. Double-check all these requirements with your vet as well (speak to the vet themselves for the most accurate information).
4. Put together a basic first aid kit for your dog which could help in certain situations.
Some useful essentials could include:
- Bandages – a roll of self-adhesive or crepe bandage (5cm width); conforming/open-weave bandages (2.5cm width)
- Non-adhesive absorbent dressings (5cm x 5cm) to cover open wounds
- Surgical sticky tape
- Box of cotton wool
- Box of sterile absorbent gauze
- Blunt ended scissors, preferably curved
- Towel
- Tick twister/remover
- Digital thermometer
- Any medications for your dog
- A guidebook on pet first-aid
I would also recommend taking some probiotic/gastrointestinal supplements such as Pro-Kolin paste, as tummy issues can be common for dogs when travelling and being very active during that period. You can read more about that here .
But more on dog first aid in another blog post…
5. Check what risks there are to your dog in the areas you are visiting, for example ticks, fleas, sandflies, snakes, or even stray dogs, and take preventative measures.
I would always recommend using a prescription-strength tick and flea treatment on your dog. There are some medicated collars which could protect again sandflies, as sandflies can transmit diseases as well. If there are stray dogs in the area or if your companion will possibly come into contact with other dogs then I would definitely recommend having them vaccinated.
A Rabies vaccine is a legal requirement to enter most European countries anyway, but you should also consider vaccinating against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis and Kennel Cough.
6. Check where the nearest veterinary clinics are around the areas you are planning to visit.
Also check how long it would take to reach each if it was an emergency. Remember, not all clinics offer 24/7 care, so if in doubt then check their website or ring them to clarify.
7. Do you need to take enough dog food for the entire trip?
If your canine companion has a special dietary requirement or if the brand you currently buy is not available in Europe, this may need to be a consideration as changing a diet abruptly can cause tummy issues, which I’m sure you would not appreciate if you are all living in confined quarters.
If you’re planning to undertake an active holiday with lots of hiking, consider taking more food than you’ll need as your dog may need to be fed more than they normally get, and your return could also be delayed due an unforeseen circumstance.
NB: Don’t forget to take enough of their medications if they are on any, as they may not be available where you’re going.
8. Safety first
Depending on where in the car your dog will be travelling, consider purchasing a good quality harness and seat belt for your pet. Never travel with them in the front seats of the car. Some products offer crash-tested guarantees.
9. Find out if wherever you’re staying, whether a campsite, hotel, AirBnB etc, accepts dogs, as not all do.
It may also be worth checking if there are any additional charges for staying there with a dog, as I have experienced some having jaw-dropping additional cleaning charges to be paid even before the stay.
Many restaurants and cafes in Europe are pet-friendly, so your companion may be able to accompany you out for a meal too!
10. During your travels, make sure you check the weather forecast for the next day as your plans may need to change accordingly.
I’ve often seen dozens of dogs on European beaches in the sweltering heat, with the owners not realising that the sand/pebbles are burning their pet’s pads, and with all their fur, the temperature probably feels like double to the dog! Avoid leaving your dog in the sun for any prolonged period, or exercising them in temperature above 25 degrees celsius. Your dog will also need acclimatising to the weather over at least 2 weeks.
If rain is forecast and outdoor activities may not be possible, you may need to find an appropriate alternative as some buildings with indoor activities may not allow dogs to accompany you.
11. If you’re hiking, not all trails are safe for dogs, and you must know your dog’s abilities.
Some mountains we climbed in Europe had a lot of scrambling over rocks and boulders involved at the top, and if your dog isn’t used to it or it is too challenging, you could end up in a tricky situation. Always check reviews and reputable sites to see if your hike is appropriate for your dog.
We often used the AllTrails ® app to find suitable hikes. However, the snow is now lasting until the end of Spring in many places in recent years, so even some safe hikes may not be accessible.
12. Enjoy your trip, make memories with your canine companion!
No matter how stressful things can get on travels, always remember why you’re travelling in the first place. Enjoy the present rather than worry about the past and the future!!
Note:The advice provided in this blog post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute veterinary advice. If in doubt always seek veterinary advice.