Can You Take Your Dog Abroad?

Holidays abroad are great fun for all the family, so it’s only natural that people would want their furry friend to join in on the journey. However, there is a common misconception that to take a pet abroad, you’ll need to pay for a number of nasty health treatments and leave your pet in quarantine once they arrive. This is not the case.

Here, we’re going to talk you through everything you need to know for holidays with dogs and the things you need to consider if you want to take your dog abroad.

Can You Take a Dog Abroad on Holiday?

Yes, you can absolutely take your dog on holiday abroad with you. However, it’s not as simple as it is for people for a dog to travel abroad. There are a number of requirements that need to be met to take your pet abroad, including for the country you're visiting to allow dogs into the country and potentially for your dog to be put into quarantine upon entering the country for us 4 months.

If the stated travel requirements for dogs aren’t followed, you may be refused entry to the country or travel entirely. Each country will have their own requirements for pets to enter to the country, so make sure you do your research before planning your trip to ensure you follow the necessary legislation and that your

What is the Pet Travel Scheme?

The Pet Travel Scheme is a system in place which allows certain pets (dogs, cats and ferrets) to travel within the EU without them needing to go into quarantine, assuming they meet all the other necessary requirements for travelling abroad. Before Brexit (January 2021) this information was given and held in the form of a pet passport. However, now that the UK is no longer a part of the EU, so owners will have to follow other travel requirements, which we discuss below.

You also cannot use a pet passport to bring your pet into the country anymore unless it was issued before the Brexit deadline (January 1st 2021).

Dog Travel Requirements

If you are planning to take your dog abroad, there are a few things you need to get in order before travelling. What these are will depend on where you’re travelling. For those planning a dog-friendly holiday in the EU or Northern Ireland, your pet will need:

• To be microchipped
• To have a valid rabies vaccination
• To have a valid Animal Health Certificate
• A record of a suitable tapeworm treatment for dogs (if you’re travelling to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta)

If you’re planning to take your dog to a non-EU country, you’ll need:

• An Export Health Report
• An accepted Export Application.

What is an Animal Health Certificate?

An Animal Health Certificate is a document issued by a veterinarian and is an essential document if you’re planning on travelling with your dog to any EU country or Northern Ireland.

How to Get an Animal Health Certificate?

Your Animal Health Certificate must be issued within 10 days before you enter the EU, assuming your pet is up to date with their rabies vaccinations. If not, then you have to wait 21 days after the vaccination date before the certificate can be issued.

An Animal Health Certificate will contain:

• The pet owner's details
• A description of the pet
• Details about your pet’s rabies vaccination and blood test details (where required)
• A canine tapeworm treatment
• The intended country of entry

Your animal health certificate must be written in the language of the country you are leaving, and not the country you are entering. The animal health certificate is only valid when the pet is travelling with the owner (as named on the certificate) or by a person who has in writing authorisation from the owner to be travelling with the pet.

To get an Animal Health Certificate, you must:

• Book a consultation with your vet for the certificate.
• Provide proof of your pet’s microchipping date
• Provide proof of your pet’s vaccination history

Please note that according to EU regulation, the pet named on the animal health certificate must be at least 12 weeks old. One person is only permitted to travel with five pets unless you are travelling for a competition, show, or sporting event (for which you will need written evidence or registration).

How Long is an Animal Health Certificate Valid?

Once issued, your pet’s certificate will be valid for:

• 10 days for entry into the EU or Northern Ireland
• 4 months for onward travel within the EU
• 4 months for re-entry to Great Britain

You will need to get a new certificate for each trip you take with your pet.

Animal Health Certificate Cost

The typical cost of an animal health certificate is between £100-£150, which includes the consultation fee. However, this cost does not include:

• The cost of necessary vaccinations
• The cost of microchipping

If you are looking for more advice on acquiring an animal health certificate or for government advice on travelling abroad with a pet, you can contact the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

How to Take Your Dog Abroad?

Once you have all the relevant documentation, you can get ready to travel with your pet.

Before you travel, make sure you:

• Check the weather and temperatures of your intended destination and that you're prepared to protect your dog from heatstroke or the cold.
• Have you familiarised yourself with the hotel’s dog policy and chosen a dog-friendly hotel or accommodation?
• Pack all of your dog’s necessities and know how to travel with your dog.

Travelling can be stressful for many dogs, even for just short trips. If your dog suffers from anxiety, make sure you speak with your vet before you travel to ensure it is a suitable option to take your dog with you or to discuss an effective dog anxiety treatment to use before and during your journey.

While you’re on holiday with your make sure you:

• Keep your dog’s routine as close to normal as possible.
• Don’t change their food, but keep them on the same diet to avoid upsetting their stomach or causing unnecessary stress. (Make sure you’re familiar with the regulation on travelling with dog food as well).
• Bring familiar items with you, such as toys, blankets, or their bed, so your dog will have familiar scents to help them feel secure.
• Don’t leave your dog alone for too long in unfamiliar surroundings, as it can cause unnecessary stress.
• You allow them time to rest as you would at home.
• Monitor their behaviour for any signs of anxiety in dogs.
• Keep them on the lead while you’re out in unfamiliar surroundings, and don’t leave them tied up anywhere alone, especially not if it’s hot.

Remember, holidays are a tie for fun and relaxation, but your dog is still your responsibility. You should prioritise their comfort and care at all times, even while abroad.

Health Concerns for Dogs Travelling Abroad

It’s important to remember that an Animal Health Certificate is intended to protect humans from diseases that animals can carry, not diseases that your dog might be infected with while abroad. The most common health problems that can affect dogs while abroad include:

• Leishmaniasis— A disease passed by a sandfly bite that can’t survive in UK climates. It can cause kidney failure, lameness, nosebleeds, scaling skin disease and weight loss. There is no cure for canine Leishmaniasis.
• Babesiosis and ehrlichiosis— These are spread by biting ticks and can cause illness within days or even hours, leading to rapid onset and fatal anaemia.
• Heartworm - These can be spread by biting mosquitos and can cause gradual heart failure and anaphylactic reactions with other symptoms including coughing, breathlessness, weight loss and collapse.

Each of these conditions can be treated, although not all are curable. The best course of action for this is to be prepared before travelling with your dog and ensure they have been treated with:

• An appropriate flea and tick treatment for dogs, such as the Frontline Tri-Act Spot-on for dogs.
• A broad spectrum worming treatment that includes the treatment and prevention of heartworms.

Please bear in mind that many dog wormers without a prescription do not cover heartworm, so speak with your vet before travelling for their recommendations on the best treatment options.

Taking your pet on holiday may not be simple, but for those who want their dog to be a part of the fun, it’s certainly worth it. If you’re planning to take your pet abroad with you, make sure you have everything they could need with our great range of dog walking and travel essentials.

This post is an opinion and should only be used as a guide. You should discuss any change to your pet’s care or lifestyle thoroughly with your vet before starting any program or treatment.