Travelling and going on holiday with or without your pet

Written by Anne | July 14, 2026

Your holiday is approaching. What will you do with your pet? Will they come with you? Or will they stay at home? In this blog article, we provide a brief overview of what you need to consider, together with 2 useful checklists.

Is your pet welcome at your holiday destination?

Check in advance whether pets are allowed at your holiday destination. If you are travelling abroad with your pet, a European pet passport, a microchip and a rabies vaccination are compulsory. The rabies vaccination usually needs to have been given at least 21 days before departure. You should also check the LICG website for the different entry requirements for each country. This applies not only to your destination country, but also to the countries you travel through.

Travelling and motion sickness in pets

Not every dog or cat enjoys a long car journey. Some animals experience motion sickness because their balance system is disrupted. It is advisable to bring medication for motion sickness, such as Puur Tour, and to stop regularly for a short walk. Naturally, there should always be plenty of fresh drinking water available. Do not leave your pet alone in the car. The risk of overheating is particularly high in summer. Additional requirements may apply when travelling by plane. Check with your airline.

Training your pet

Are you planning to go on long walks or mountain hikes with your dog? Start training well in advance and bear in mind that walking on rough terrain or hot tarmac can feel very uncomfortable on your dog’s paw pads. Make sure your dog has the right equipment. Ruffwear offers an extensive range of products for responsible adventures with your dog.

Protect your pet against parasites

Protect your pet against fleas, ticks and, where necessary, sand flies and heartworm mosquitoes while on holiday. Read our blog Going on holiday with your dog: avoid unwanted souvenirs to learn how you can protect your pet as effectively as possible.

Prevent stress

Is your pet sensitive to stress? A long journey by car or plane, an unfamiliar environment such as your holiday accommodation or a boarding kennel, being left alone at home for a period of time, or a stranger suddenly entering the house can all leave your pet feeling very unsettled. For many animals, the holiday period is far less relaxing than it is for their owners. If you know that your pet becomes stressed by change, take action in good time. You could give calming food supplements such as Dr. Anns Stress Reduction, Telizen or Zylkène. You can also use a pheromone-based stress-reducing product, such as Feliway Spray or Feliway Classic for cats, or Adaptil Diffuser, Adaptil Spray or Adaptil Collar for dogs. Many animals respond well to these products, provided you start using them well in advance, around 4 to 2 weeks beforehand.