Friday, 04 October, 2024

Tips for International Travel with your Dog


 

Taking your pet on a trip can be a wonderful pleasure or a terrible disaster. Being prepared is essential. A calm, upbeat attitude is also very helpful. Pet travel can result in a lovely bonding experience with your furry friend if you have the correct equipment and attitude. Putting your pet in a pet carrier is the most secure way to travel with them. Your pet might be a big distraction and risk falling or being flung around if you apply the brakes if it is not safely restrained inside the car. A pet carrier is not only necessary when flying, but it also gives your new pet a private, peaceful environment to feel protected. Continue reading for tips for international travel with your dog. 

Proper Identification

The name of your dog, your home address, phone number, and the address and contact information of a person who can be reached at your destination should all be written on the carrier. Verify the ID tags on your dog are also current. Another option to think about is a permanent form of identification like a tattoo or a microchip. This will boost the possibility of finding your dog again if they go missing at any time—not just when you’re away from home!

Doggie Bag

Regular collars and leashes may be suitable for short walks around the neighborhood on a daily basis, but they are not intended for long trips. Purchase a sturdy travel collar and leash that can withstand the demands of the road. When you’re on the go, it will be simpler to keep track of your dog if you have a  dog harness and leash that are portable. For those night time excursions discovering a new city, extra points if the collar and leash contain reflective materials.

Talk to your Vet

When preparing for domestic and foreign travel with a pet, veterinarians are your best source of information. Your pet could need further shots or treatments given within a specific time period, as well as a 15-digit ISO compatible microchip, depending on the rules of your destination country. Additionally, import licenses or pre-travel authorisation may be required. Additionally, your pet will unquestionably need a health certificate with a defined validity term attesting to its good health and suitability for travel. 

Check Pet Policy

Depending on the airline, different policies apply to pets flying internationally. It Is important to research your airline’s specific policies if you decide to take your pet on a trip with you rather than have it shipped by a pet shipping firm (often, searching for the airline name and “pet policy” will yield the proper results). There are websites that provide a useful summary of the regulations governing pets on board the most well-known airlines. For transatlantic and transpacific flights as well as trips longer than a specific number of hours, certain airlines prohibit pets in the cabin. In addition, airlines have restrictions on breeds, age and weight requirements, and carrier size constraints.

Book Early

There might be a cap on the number of dogs the airline will allow on each flight. Booking in advance can help you avoid surprises because these pet “seats” might only be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Do you wish to bring additional pets? Call the airline to inquire. Some airlines will let you travel with multiple pets, but you’ll generally need to buy extra (empty) seats to put the pet carriers underneath.