Tips For Traveling With Your Dog

Roger Caras once said, “Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.”

Unfortunately, most people assume they have to leave their furry friend at home when they travel. That is simply not true! Many hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions around the world allow pets. It may take some extra planning, but exploring the world with your dog can be a very rewarding experience. 

We have taken our dog to at least 10 different countries. We have amazing photographs of her posing in front of famous landmarks, staying at luxury hotels, and mooching our food at top restaurants. 

This article is based on our experience traveling with a dog, but some of the information should be relevant for cats too. Below are some tips to get you started on your pet-friendly journey!

Some countries have a list of banned breeds. Commonly banned breeds include Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers, Pit Bulls, Mastiffs, Akitas, and Bull Terriers. If your pooch is on a banned breed list, you will have no choice but to leave him or her at home. 

Other countries may accept your dog, but only if you comply with harsh quarantine requirements. For example, Australia is very pet-friendly once you are inside, but your dog will have to spend 10 days in a government quarantine facility. If you do not want to be separated from your furry friend, you may decide it is better for him or her to stay home. 

In some cases, it may be too much of a hassle to travel with your dog. For example, Panama allows pets but has a VERY complicated pet transportation process. 

• Your dog cannot fly with you. You have to hire a professional transport company.
• There must be a qualified agent in the origin country and at the pet’s final destination to handle the customs’ process. 
• Your dog’s health certificate must 1) be prepared by a government-approved veterinarian, 2) stamped by the federal government entity responsible for animals (i.e. USDA), and 3) stamped by the Panamanian embassy/consulate in your home country. 
• You must fill out a Home Quarantine Request form 14 days before your arrival in Panama.
• Once you arrive in Panama, your pet will be examined by an airport vet, and you will pay a series of fees. 
• Your dog must remain in home quarantine for 40 days.
  

If it is less stressful for you or your pet, leaving them with a friend, relative, or pet sitter may be the best option.

The country you are traveling to will, at a minimum, require proof of a rabies vaccination. Some countries may also require documentation regarding other vaccinations, flea and tick treatments, and microchip information. Even if the country does not require pet documentation, the airline certainly will. 

The type of documentation required varies from country to country. Some places require a “health certificate” prepared by a veterinarian 5 or 10 days before you travel, confirming your dog is healthy. It is normally a form or letter with the following:

• Your dog’s identifying information (name, age, breed, microchip number, color); 
• Vaccination history (type of vaccine, application date, expiration date, lot number);
• Trip information (home address, destination address, travel dates, airline);
• Veterinarian information (contact information, license number);

Some jurisdictions will want to see your dog’s “pet passport.” For example, if you travel around Europe, all EU member states recognize an EU pet passport issued by a fellow member. In our case, we used the Canadian International Health Certificate to take our dog from Canada to France and then had a French veterinarian issue an EU pet passport. Our dog was then able to travel to other countries such as Spain, Portugal, Germany, and Austria.

Tip:  You should have originals and copies of your pet’s documents. You also need to make sure your dog’s rabies vaccination is up-to-date AND accepted in the country you are traveling to. There are 1-year and 3-year rabies shots on the market, but some countries will only accept the annual one. 

• Only some airlines accept pets. 
• Of the airlines that take pets, some will only permit them inside the cabin. 
• Some airlines allow pets in the hold, but only on certain models of aircraft. 
• Even if a pet is allowed in the hold as checked baggage, there are rules about crate sizes and materials, weather, and flight connections.
• In some cases, you cannot fly with your pet in the cabin or the hold – they have to be transported by an official cargo company. 

Flying with a dog can be a little confusing, but you simply have to do your research. As a general rule of thumb, we stick to large national airlines (Air France, Air Canada, Lufthansa, KLM, etc.) as opposed to budget airlines (Spirit, Ryanair, Wizz, Sunwing, etc.). We always book direct flights. We triple-check the airline’s pet policy and track the weather in both locations. Typically, animals can only be flown in the hold if the temperature is above 45 °F (7 °C) and below 85 °F (29 °C).

Animals in the cabin are often allowed to have soft-sided carriers, but if you have a larger dog, we recommend buying an IATA-compliant crate. You will need to measure your pet to make sure you pick the right size. Your dog should be able to sit, stand, lay down, and turn around in the crate. The crate should have rigid sides, a lockable door, and air holes on all four sides. For a more detailed description of a travel crate, you can view the IATA requirements at https://www.iata.org/contentassets/b0016da92c86449f850fe9560827bbea/pet-container-requirements.pdf

Each airline will have its own pet fee. It may be a standard fee, or the rates could vary based on your travel itinerary. 

Airlines also have different policies when it comes to booking your pet on a flight. Some companies let you add a pet in the luggage section as if you were adding a bag. Others require you to call and make a pet reservation. 

It is important to check the pet policy of your specific airline. Often, you can find the rules on the company’s website, but you may also want to call a representative to confirm. 

Finally, make sure you get to the airport early on your travel day. The check-in staff will need to look at your pet’s medical documents and weigh his or her crate. The crate may also need to go through a security screening process before your pet can be loaded onto the plane. Once your pet is taken care of, you will still need to get through airport security and get to your gate on time. 

Most destinations will have a variety of dog-friendly hotels at different price points. In fact, travel sites such as Expedia, Hotels.com, Booking.com, and Airbnb often have a “pet-friendly” filter. You may also want to consult pet-focused apps such as BringFido that recommend dog-friendly hotels, attractions, and restaurants.

The two things to keep in mind when booking accommodations are pet fees and weight restrictions. 

Some hotel chains, such as Kimpton Hotels and Red Roof Inn, are proud of their “pets stay free” policies. Other brands have pet fees ranging from $5 to $500. You may encounter nightly or per-stay pet fees, extra cleaning fees, refundable or non-refundable damage deposits, or any combination of these. 

Weight restrictions vary considerably, but typically we find hotels that allow small dogs (under 25 lbs), medium dogs (under 40 lbs), or dogs of any size. If you own a purse-sized Pomeranian you will be welcome at most pet-friendly establishments, but if you have a large dog (or multiple pets), you will have to read through lots of hotel policies before booking.  

Your pet may have a very different experience depending on the hotel you choose. We have stayed in some places that merely tolerate dogs and require them to remain in the room. However, some hotels have given our dogs welcome treats, bowls, and toys and allowed them inside their bars, restaurants, and social areas.

Whether you are looking for budget accommodation or a luxurious stay, you should be able to find a hotel with reasonable pet policies and fees. You may also consider short-term rentals if you are looking for a traditional house with a yard for your dog to play in.

Don’t leave your dog in the hotel room unless you have to. Most destinations have a variety of fun, dog-friendly activities. 

Start by walking your dog in public parks or hiking local trails. You will get to explore a country’s bustling cities and natural wonders while your dog gets lots of exercise. 

If you want to try local wine or beer, you should find out if there are any pet-friendly wineries or breweries. We have seen dogs at wineries in Napa Valley in California, in the Provence region of France, and in port cellars in Portugal. Breweries, tap rooms, and beer gardens are often very dog-friendly. We were lucky enough to visit the Smiling Samoyed Brewery in Australia and meet their resident fluffy pup. 

Foodies will be pleased to learn that many restaurants around the world are pet-friendly. In our experience, most establishments with terraces or patios allow dogs at their outdoor tables. We have also eaten at places that allow dogs inside. In some places, restaurant owners will explicitly advertise their pet-friendliness by putting paw-shaped stickers or signs in their windows. It is always best to ask for permission before sitting down with your pet, and you should be mindful of other patrons.

Depending on the county, you may find tourist attractions that are dog-friendly. Sites such as the Pima Air & Space Museum in Tucson, Ludlow Castle in England, the Annapolis Maritime Museum, and the National Automobile Museum in Turin, Italy, allow you to soak up some culture with your four-legged friend. 

If your pup likes to swim, you should find out if there are any dog-friendly beaches nearby. Our favorite is the Coronado Dog Beach in San Diego, but there are leash-free beaches in Le Touquet, France, Baia di San Fruttuoso, Italy, and Crikvenica, Croatia – to name a few. Some beaches such as Llevant beach in Barcelona even have amenities such as doggie drinking fountains and showers. 

In our experience, it never hurts to ask. The world is full of people who love dogs and your pup may be welcome in more places than you think! Happy furry travels!