I have always loved animals since I was a child and apparently animals seem to love me as I am one of those people that animals seem to get excited on seeing (I have this affect on children too which is useful). On numerous power walks I have made new friends who have then decided to follow me on part of my walks. It’s not just me though we are a nation of animal lovers. Our pets don’t take long to become an important part of our daily lives.
They are our loyal companions who see us through the ups and downs and make great listeners. The comfort and love they show us daily is unconditional. They become family from the first day they arrive at home, and you want to spend every second playing with them and cuddling them. It’s not always easy to leave them at home while you go to work but worse still is to have to leave them with someone whilst you go on vacation. Fortunately travelling with pets has become much easier over the years and the steps to enable them to be able to come with us are simple and straight forward.
I am sure some of you would love to take your pets abroad but in some cases not knowing the process involved to allow you to do so puts you off so in this post you will find all the information you will require. Make sure you check out the various links for further details on the topics in bold.
Holidaying In Europe with Your Pet
The Checklist for Your Pet
Before travelling with your pet it’s important to make a checklist of the steps that need to be fulfilled before departure. First of all, your pet will need a pet passport plus a super cute picture to go with it. Your veterinarian will be a fundamental part of this process. Before any vaccines, or paper work, remember that your pet should be micro-chipped (in many countries it is required by law). The chip serves as a permanent ID, in case of emergency situations so for example if your pet gets lost and then found thanks to the chip he/she will be recognised and linked to the respective owner. A common vaccination that may be required is for rabies. After having this your will need to wait 21 days before they can travel.
Don’t forget their favourite toy(s) and a blanket to help keep them calm during travelling and settle into the new surrounding better.
If your pet requires medication / special shampoos, creams these will need to be packed too.
Don’t forget too pack a spare leash and muzzle in case they are needed.
Choosing the Right Means of Transportation
Once you go through your checklist, and get your pet the appropriate jabs you then have to choose your mode of transportation. Whether you are going near or far, the way you choose to travel is important for both you and your pet. One of the best, and more efficient ways is travelling by air. Travelling by plane is, as we all know one of the safest forms of travel and picking the right service provider that will care about your pet’s comfort is important. One company that provides international transportation for pets by air is Bliss Pet Service. Bliss Pet follows your loved one from start to finish and ensures their trip goes as smoothly as yours. Started in 2011 this company has a 98% satisfaction rate.
After dealing with all the paper work and veterinarians visits, comes the fun part, deciding where to go. You will need to make sure you do a little research into where your little furry friend will be accepted without any problems. Whether you decide to go to Germany or Timbuktu , the world is your oyster obviously. Some of the best problem-free places to visit include Italy, Germany and Switzerland. These countries are known to be extra pet-friendly and do not mind when you want to bring pets along with you. You and your pet will be able to do almost everything together. In fact, your 4 legged friend is welcomed in places such as shops, restaurants and hotels. Bringing them on public transport is also possible, as long as you keep them on a leash and have a muzzle with you just in case.
It is far easier to travel with pets than you may think and lovely not to have to leave them behind.
Holidaying In Europe with Your Pet can be great fun for your pet and family. Have you ever travelled with a pet(s)?
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I haven’t travelled with a pet before. My uncle has after relocating back from France. Some good tips for those doing it for the first time.
My pets are definitely my family and I would hate having to leave them behind while I went on holiday. I think it is wonderful that it has gotten easier to travel with our pets and that there are so many pet-friendly destinations in Europe. Thanks for the tips on the process you need to follow to ensure you are ready to bring your pets on holiday with you x
Fantastic tips! We imported a cat from France and New Zealand before so I’ve come across a few of these!
It sounds strange but I honestly had no idea that pets needed a passport to travel! It seems like there is a lot I do not know about traveling x
I don’t have any pets so i have never taken them with me. I think this is a great post for people who do have pets as this is really informative x
Thanks. It is good for people to be aware that they can travel with pets.
I might share this with my parents who always say they can’t go abroad because i work and the dogs wouldn’t like a shelter. I also hear Belgium is good for animals. My Dad recently visited for work and said they are in every shop x
Glad that you found this post useful Jodie. It is great to know you can take them with you.
I’m looking to move to move to Europe with my two mastiffs next year and I’m already dreading the process! Your post made me feel like although difficult, it’s doable.
It sure is so don’t worry too much 😉
I have a bichon frise and would love to take her away with us! Thanks for the tips and advice xxx
That’s no problem, glad to have helped. I hope you have some lovely holidays together.
I have to admit, I’d love to just travel around Europe with my dog, camping and the lot! But he’s a tad too old for that now x
Such an informative post. I didn’t realise it was actually relatively easily to take your pets away. We only have cats but I can see why dog owners wouldn’t want the separation from their pets whilst they holiday. X
It’s such a shame to leave them behind, if you can take them then why not 😉
I have never travelled with my pets before but I would like too if I had a dog. Very informative post
It will come in handy for those wanting to travel with pets.
I didn’t actually think pet passports were a real thing haha, such a cute idea x
It saves the worry of leaving them behind 😉
I haven’t travelled with a pet before but it’s glad to hear it’s not that hard to do x
I know a few that have and their passports are so cute!
This a nice post and a helpful one especially to travellers who are pet lovers too. Dind’t know that there are already transportation that cater for pets. Its good to know. Lastly, its very important to take note of the countries which are pet friendly too.
Such great tips. I don’t have any pets but my mum as a dog and a cat that she would properly love to take on holiday with her
Well now she knows that she can take them which is great.
My daughters Grandma lives in Portugal and comes back to the UK every few months, she has just got a dog and is planning on getting him a passport so she can bring him with her.
I have always wondered what it would be like to take my cats on the beach 😉 x
Lol. not sure it would work for that type of holiday.
Woweee! We’d never had though you would have needed a pet passport! Really informative post x
I have never thought about all that goes into traveling with your pet!
I haven’t try to travel with my pets and I miss them my mom took to my pets since I’m giving birth to my osn.
It is hard to part with them. Good luck with the duration of your pregnancy.
Pet passports? I didnt know this existed! haha
I know, it’s great isn’t it!
I don’t have any pets myself but a lot of my family do and they always have to get sitter when they go away.
When I lived in Germany many people had to go through the process of transporting their pets back. I had two terrapins which sadly I left behind as I wasn’t sure how it worked with them and it was a long drive plus they lived in water. I have never been on holiday out of the UK but my MIL looks after our dog when we are away x
It’s good to have someone you can rely on but also nice to have them with you sometimes too.
I didn’t realise you could take your pet abroad so easily. We don’t have any pets at the moment. Kaz x
It is handy to know if you have pets that are easy to transport and would fit well in a holiday environment.
This is so sweet! Such a great post. I know so many people who won’t travel because they don’t realize that they can bring their pet! 🙂
Xo,
Megan
That’s such a shame. Why not point them in his direction they will find this post and interesting read.
This is such a great post! I know so many people who don’t travel because they don’t realize they can bring their pets! 🙂
Xo,
Megan
Thanks Megan. I thought it would be useful for those that would like to take pets away with them.
really helpful post! my dog is my absolute best bud and I’d love to take him abroad
Have fun travelling with your dog Lottie 😉
My dog comes on holiday in the u.k. With us but I had never thought about taking her abroad. It is now on my to do list!
I hope this opens up the world a bit more for you. Have fun travelling.
Ah such a cute dog! I love how pets have their own passports!
I know it’s great and they look so cute in the pictures.
OMG your photos are so cute! It’s definitely a great experience traveling with your pets. Thanks for the tips you shared, too 🙂
It’s nice to not to have to leave them behind.
what cuties! my parents always have their holiday when I’m off so I can look after the dog, we have an big hunting dog so it can be quite difficult! xoxo
Oh wow I can imagine that must make it harder to take them too.
What a great useful post for pet owners. Thanks for sharing. Never knew any of these.
I was interested to see the options as I have friends that were looking to take dogs away with them and others that have.
We don’t have pets, so I didn’t know how you went about taking them on holiday abroad. I’ll have to remember in case our daughter finally persuades us to buy her a dog 😉
Louise x
It’s good to have the information in case you need it.
This is a very informative post, thank you. I only found out a few months ago that you had to get pet passports!! I think it’s hilarious!
It is brilliant isn’t it but also a good idea in some ways too.
This is brilliant! I am so pleased you posted this as we have a dog and we feel so confined to the UK because of him. Thank you for this x
I’m so pleased you found this useful I do like to try to find a range of interesting and useful topics to cover for my readers.
I haven’t travelled with my pets before so this article was very helpful.
Glad to have helped Erin.
Aww thats lovely being able to take them a long, they are so cute! x
It is great to be able to take pets on holiday with you.
I am actually looking at taking my dog on holiday with me somewhere this year
That’s handy, this should come in useful then.
I do not have a pet but this is really useful information for if you do
The good thing is you now know what your options are if you get one.
I never though we could take our dogs on holiday abroad! Thanks for the info!
It is good to know should you want to take a pet with you.
Don’t think I could take my hamster abroad even though I would love to.
Lol, I don’t think that would be a good idea.
I don’t have a dog anymore, sadly, but I would have loved taking her on holiday with us to Europe.
That’s such a shame I am sure she would have loved to g along with you.
I have never thought of taking my pet with me, but this is really informative for future reference.
Glad it was helpful Sarah.
Never been on holiday first time this year didn’t even think of how much I need to consider for buster
I think you should try it alone first before thinking of taking a pet just so you know if it would work for you.
This is perfect if you have dogs? We have 3 Cats & it wouldn’t work with ours. What we do, when we’re away, is get someone(professional) to come to the house twice a day to check on them, feed, water & open/close the Catflap. As a bonus, she brings in our mail & opens/closes our curtains too! The girls are happier being in their own home, we’re relaxed because we’ve been using her for years & her & her team are amazing and with 3 cats, it’s actually cheaper than a Cattery!
I haven’t been on holiday because I don’t want to leave my puss, this is great for me.
It sounds like it would be perfect for you.
We have never travelled with our pet as my parents usually take care of them
ive never holidayed with pets but id like to as dont find kennels reliable
This would be ideal for you then Gemma.
I will be honest I couldn’t think of anything worse than having to worry about taking a pet somewhere too as well as the kiddies at the moment, one day I might get a dog but not for now. My friend who has dogs could use this information though
It does work well if the children are not too young.
We don’t have any pets but don’t like the idea of leaving them behind.
It is such a shame to leave hem behind if you don’t have to plus it’s not always easy to find someone to take care of them.
I normally leave my dog with my mum when we go away so it’s a mini break for her too x
I’m sure she must enjoy that although it’s nice to know you can take them with you.
I love your photographs…
Great tips on travelling with pets. Great for dog owners… we have 3 cats and I dont think they would be easy to travel with lol.
But we are responsible and put them into a cattery so we know that they are safe.
Some fab tips, when we move to a bigger home with a garden I want to get our children a puppy, we had to have our staffy put down due to old age 3 years ago, and I miss him terribly, I do worry that when we get a new one we won’t be able to go on family holidays, but we usually book a cottage for a week so should be able to take the dog with us xxx