Planning a holiday with your furry companion? Exciting times ahead! But before you embark on your adventure, it’s essential to consider a few key points for traveling with your dog or cat. Here, you’ll discover valuable insights on import regulations, parasite prevention, and transportation. Plus, we wrote a blog with handy tips and how to prepare when going on holiday with your pet. With proper preparation, you can relax and enjoy your holiday to the fullest!
Various parasites that can cause diseases are found abroad. These include ticks, heartworm, fox tapeworm and sandflies. Besides the best-known disease Lyme, there is also an increased risk of Leishmania, which is irreversible. To properly protect your pet from these unwanted souvenirs, it is best to treat preventively rather than only after an infection. Protective products against fleas, ticks and sandflies for dogs are: Scalibor, Advantix or Vectra 3D.
Heartworm occurs in southern and eastern Europe. Think of countries like Greece, Turkey, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Romania and Bulgaria. But also in countries like Spain, Portugal, Italy and large parts of France. Are you going on holiday to an area where heartworm is present? Then treat your pet with Milbemax. You start the treatment after 28 days of arriving at your holiday destination. You should keep repeating this treatment monthly until at least 28 days after you leave the infected area again
Have you already decided where you are going on holiday? Then check the import requirements for your destination country well before departure, but also for the countries you are travelling through. In addition, do not forget to bring your pet’s fully completed pet passport. Make sure your dog or cat’s identification, registration and vaccinations are also in order. Furthermore, it is useful to put details of the local vet in your phone for yourself. That way, you can always contact the vet directly in case of an emergency. Also, don’t forget to save your own vet’s details so you can ask for advice if needed.
Both while driving and on holiday, it can get very hot for our dogs. Dogs cannot sweat and will therefore have to get rid of their heat in other ways, for example by panting or through their foot soles. Asphalt and sand can become very hot for the soles of your dog’s feet. It is therefore important to take this into account and avoid overheating!
Besides a water bottle with plenty of fresh drinking water, you can find different cooling products for dogs. These include a cooling collar or bandana for around your dog’s neck, a cooling vest or a cooling mat to lie on. These are also already good to use during your car journey. With a collapsible pool, you can not only have a lot of fun for your dog, but also keep your dog cool at all times.
If you have a dog with a thin coat, it can burn more easily. For this, you can use a water-resistant sunscreen such as Dermoscent Sunfree (especially for dogs and cats). It is fragrance- and zinc-free and therefore safe for pets.
To take your dog safely on holiday, it is important to prepare well. Is your dog used to travelling by car for longer periods of time or will this be the first time? Perhaps it will be necessary to divide the car journey into shorter parts and book an extra night’s accommodation, these are things to think about in advance. It is also important to stop regularly during your trip for a short walk and a drink.
To transport your dog safely by car, you can use an appropriate dog harness with seatbelt, a car seat or dog blanket, a transport box, carrier or car rack. Pay attention to your dog’s preferences, but also to the requirements of the countries you are travelling through. For example, in some countries, seat belts are compulsory or they must stay behind a car rack during the drive.
Some dogs have stress while driving. This may be because they find driving exciting, but travel sickness can also play a role. So estimate well before departure how your dog will react during a car ride. If your dog experiences stress from the trip, you can give a supplement such as Dr. Ann’s Stress Reduction, Adaptil or Zylkene. If you always see signs such as salivation, smacking, vomiting or restlessness in your dog while driving, there is a chance that your dog is nauseated. You can then use Puur Tour to support motion sickness.
In most countries, dogs are more than welcome if you follow the rules. But not all breeds of dog are accepted in every country. So check well before you leave if your dog is welcome in the countries you are travelling through and at your destination.
The following are always required for travelling with your dog or cat within the European Union:
A dog that is used to driving in a car can do just fine for several hours at a time, provided you have a car with air conditioning. Make sure you let your dog eat and drink enough in between journeys. Make sure to take timely breaks to let your dog pee and stretch his legs.
That depends on your holiday destination. Even if your dog is so sweet, every country has its own laws and regulations in this regard. For example, it may be compulsory to have your dog wear a muzzle when entering public places. Make sure to check out the requirements per country beforehand.
Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Norway, Spain, Austria and Croatia are considered the most dog-friendly countries in Europe.
You can take your pet on a flight if it is in good health. Small pets may travel with you in the aircraft cabin if they fit in a closed travel bag or kennel under the seat in front of you, with a maximum weight of 8 kg. They are not allowed on your lap. Pets heavier than 8 kg are transported in the hold. Travelling by plane does add stress to your pet. Therefore, carefully weigh the motives against the disadvantages and check with both the airline and the embassy of the country where you want to go if there are any additional requirements.
The rules on transporting your dog in the car vary from country to country. The law does state that you may not be obstructed while driving, including by your dog. This can cause dangerous situations in traffic. Before leaving, always check the requirements for the country you are travelling through.
To help you with this, we have prepared a handy checklist for you! Apart from the general stuff you use every day, you can also think about cooling your dog, a first aid kit and a tick hook.
The summer holidays are around the corner. Whether you are taking your pet on holiday with you or whether your pet is staying home or going to a boarding kennels, it is important to consider a number of things. In this article, our veterinarian will give you a number of tips so that you are well prepared for your holiday.
You’ve made arrangements for a holiday home, booked a flight, packed your bags – it sounds like you’re ready to go on a holiday! But what about your beloved pet? You might’ve left this difficult decision until the very end, because what would be better: taking your pet with your or leaving him at home? If you’ve decided to take your pet along for the ride, you might want to take a look at the checklist before going on a holiday with your pet.
The summer holidays are coming! Whether you are staying home to enjoy the summer weather or taking your dog on holiday with you, here are some tips for a great summer.
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