When the good weather arrives, you always feel like taking the occasional trip, which is why the same questions always come up when organizing your vacation: “can I travel with my dog? traveling with dogs? How should I take my dog when I travel?”
Therefore, in this article on our site we want to answer all your questions and explain all the details you need to know to discover how to travel with dogsquietly.
What to consider before traveling with dogs?
When you live accompanied by an animal you don't consider going on vacation without it, but rather you want it to live the experience just as you do. But keep in mind that when you travel with dogs, everything must be adapted for them: traveling alone is not the same as traveling with an animal.
Assess if it will be a good experience for him
First of all, it is important that you assess whether the trip you plan to take will be a good experience for your dog. You know your dog more than anyone and you will know where he is doing well and where he is not.
Traveling means a change of routine for them, a constant adaptation to circumstances, new smells, new tastes, new noises, etc.. That is why it is crucial that you assess if your dog is currently in the best conditions to travel and adapt to all these changes.
Choose a suitable place for your dog
Although it seems obvious, it is essential to know where to travel with dogs For example, if you have in mind to travel to a place with a beach, First, you must confirm that said destination has beaches suitable for dogs, since, unfortunately, not all of them allow them to enter.
On the other hand, assess the entire trip, that is, take into account all the route and activities you plan to do to check that your dog can keep up with that pace. Here not only will it come into play whether or not they accept dogs on these routes/activities, but also your dog's physical condition and age A good option, without a doubt, is to choose a campsite located in the mountains and that, of course, accept pets. Here your dog will enjoy your company, together you can go for walks in the middle of nature and, in addition, you will surely both meet new people and dogs.
Get a vet check
Before going on vacation it is recommended that you consult your veterinarian. Check your four-legged friend to see if he is in optimal he alth conditions to travel. You can also ask the specialist for advice about whether it is advisable for your dog to accompany you on this trip.
Acquire the material you need
Finally, for your dog to feel comfortable you need to have the necessary material to take it on a trip. Depending on the vehicle you use to travel, you may or may not need a carrier or a safety belt to the car, but what should never be missing is a collar or harness and a leash, in addition to portable bowls for food and water and a bed For the latter we recommend choose a folding one because it is more comfortable to transport.
For the collar or harness and leash, at Leo&Indi you will find unique designs and, most importantly, comfortable for your dog. It is an online store where you can buy the best accessories for your dog to accompany you on all your adventures. Depending on how your dog is, you should choose between a collar or a harness, since each accessory offers different advantages. For example, if your dog tends to pull on the leash, it is best to choose a harness. Now, if your dog walks calmly and never tries to pull, then a collar is a good idea. In any case, at Leo&Indi they have a wide variety of these accessories, all of them with exclusive designs that will make your dog unique. Plus, some are even 100% vegan!
Requirements for traveling with dogs
Before booking your trip with your dog, it is important that you check the requirements of your destination regarding pets. For example, there are some countries where it is necessary for the dog to carry several vaccines that may not be necessary in your city.
Dogs may travel to other countries as long as they meet these requirements:
- The pet must have a microchip implanted or a clearly legible tattoo applied before July 3, 2011.
- The dog must be vaccinated against rabies.
- You must have been treated against Echinococcus multilocularis tapeworm if your destination area is free of this tapeworm (Finland, Ireland, M alta, Norway and Northern Ireland).
- You must present a valid passport for pets.
How to relax a dog to travel?
Travel can be quite stressful for dogs. Therefore, you need to take some steps before you start your dog trip to ensure that he is relaxed and will enjoy a good experience, just as you are:
- If he travels by plane, Get him familiar with the carrier some time in advance so that it doesn't become a problem for him.
- If you tend to get dizzy and therefore vomit, make sure your dog is fasting the same day he is going to travel, otherwise he could get dizzy in the car, plane, boat, etc.. Of course, he should not lack water because he could become dehydrated. And if the trip will be very long, then yes you should give him food that is easy to digest, that is not heavy, and make the necessary stops.
- Before you start the trip, take him out for a long walk and let him get as tired as possible.
- On the market we find drugs and tranquilizers, including natural ones, for the most serious cases in which it is not possible to reassure the dog of no way. If this is your case, we advise you first to consult the vet about the best treatment for your dog.
- Make sure he always sees you calmly and don't give him too much stimulation before starting the trip.
Other tips for traveling with dogs
Depending on the method you use to travel with your dog, you will need to take some precautions or others. We leave you with the best tips for traveling with your best friend so that both of you can fully enjoy your vacation.
Tips for traveling by car with a dog
There is no problem in your dog traveling with you by car, as long as you take the necessary security measures to protect him and also ensure good driving.
The main piece of advice you should keep is that it is very dangerous to have a dog loose in the car, and it is even prohibited in many countries. You should therefore find the fastening method most suitable for you: harness on the rear seat, grille between the driver and the rear passenger compartment, carrier in the boot, etc. In this other post we give you all the details: “How to travel with a dog by car?”.
Tips for traveling by plane with your dog
The first thing you should do is make sure that the airline you are going to hire allows you to travel with pets. Dogs may travel with you in the cabin if they weigh less than 8 kg, if the weight is greater they must go in a carrier in the hold. Therefore, if your dog exceeds this weight, assess very well if he is really in a position to travel in this way and if it is worth going through this experience.
Another piece of advice that will be very useful to you is to make sure you have all the documentation in order and that you try to ensure that your dog is as as calm as possible before the flight so you don't have a bad time during the trip.
Tips for traveling by train with your dog
To be able to travel by train with your dog you must buy a specific ticket for him and he must go for the entire tripin a carrier The rules for traveling by train are the strictest and only dogs weighing less than 10 kilos can travel on this transport
As train journeys are usually long, before the train starts, make sure your dog has had a good walk and has relieved himself
Tips for traveling by boat with your dog
First of all, before buying your ticket on the ship you will have to make sure that the particular shipping company allows you to travel with pets. If it does allow it, your dog must always be on a leash During embarkation and disembarkation you must also put muzzle, no matter what race it belongs to.
We hope that this article has helped you to know what is the best way to travel with a dog and everything you need to know before booking your vacation destination. Take a look at all our tips and enjoy your dog's company wherever you go.
