Many of us are already dreaming about the summer holidays and starting to look for a suitable travel destination. As a member of our family, our dog naturally prefers to come along on holiday! However, this also brings the necessary worries and things to think about.
What do we need to take into account if we want to take our dog on a trip?
Means of transport: Traveling with a dog is done by car in most cases. In doing so, we must take into account several safety rules just as we do for our human family members. Equipping the dog with a seatbelt is certainly no unnecessary luxury. Special harnesses exist for this purpose with which you can clip your dog into the provided seatbelts. Even if you transport your dog in the trunk, it is best to use a divider or crate so that the dog cannot be thrown forward into the car in the event of an accident.
When we think of cars and summer, we can also never emphasize enough to never leave your dog behind in the car. In warm weather, it can quickly turn into a real oven!
Taking a few breaks during the trip to stretch your legs, have a drink, and use the restroom makes for a pleasant stopover for both owner and dog.
Always make sure your dog cannot run off during such a break and end up running around in a parking lot next to a highly dangerous highway; teaching your dog to wait when the car door is opened can be very useful training for this!
The travel destination: When you are looking for a suitable travel destination, it is best to check in advance where your pet is welcome and what rules apply. .
Also keep in mind the duration of the trip, the transportation you need, the climate you are going to, and of course the condition of your dog, so that the vacation can be as pleasant as possible for him as well.
A very important point to check is the foreign laws and regulations. Please keep in mind that unfortunately these rules can also vary by dog breed! The following links are useful for looking up the rules per country:
Vaccinations: When traveling with your four-legged friend, it is also important to check whether your dog is up to date on all vaccinations and has a European passport. The mandatory vaccinations can vary from country to country; you can also find these via the link with the import requirements per country. Doing some research or asking your vet which animal diseases are more common in each region can also be useful. The vaccination against rabies is a requirement for most countries and even for a trip to the Belgian Ardennes! Protecting your dog against this standardly once every 3 years can therefore be quite useful.
What to bring checklist: - European passport, vaccination booklet, microchip number document - Pedigree papers - Food and water bowls - Water for the road - Familiar own food - First aid kit, tick remover - Collar with address details (possibly of the vacation home) and phone number - Clear photo of your pet - Extra leash and collar - Muzzle if required in certain regions - Poop bags - Medication if necessary - Familiar blanket or pillow - Toys - Grooming products (e.g., shampoo, brush)
Pet cannot come along... After doing some research, it turns out your dream destination is not so suitable to take your little animal friend along to after all. What now? Look for a suitable shelter! This can be with family and friends, you can ask someone to come to your house to take care of your animals, or place them in a pet boarding kennel.
When you start looking for an animal boarding kennel, keep in mind that they are often fully booked well in advance, so it is best to arrange this well ahead of time. Choose a licensed kennel (certified diploma, possibly affiliated with a professional association). KaHoT) I will certainly go take a look there myself first. It goes without saying that you will feel more at ease with a kennel owner who gives you an open tour and has answers to all your questions.
Also ask about the kennel's conditions regarding vaccinations, flea treatment, and the like, so that you can ensure your pet meets the requirements, but of course also to be reassured that the other boarding guests cannot transmit any diseases to your little friend.
Even when you choose a dog-walking service / in-home pet sitter (recognized diploma, possibly affiliated with the APBCT professional association for someone in your neighborhood), it can never hurt to meet well in advance and check all the conditions; this way, both you and your pets can feel at ease with this person. If you choose this option, it can also be reassuring if someone from your family or friends drops by your home from time to time and can also serve as an emergency contact number that you can give to the pet sitter.
Agreeing on habits in advance, making a list and making sure everything is ready for the pet sitter contributes to a smooth process and a familiar atmosphere for your pets.
Are there any other useful tips you can think of when traveling with your furry friend, we would love to hear them...
Also nice travel destinations to visit with your dog, guest houses, and pet sitters that you would recommend are always fun to share!
