all about traveling abroad with your dog or cat

Ah, traveling. It brings the opportunity for adventure, relaxation, good food, and amazing memories. The logistics of traveling with a pet takes some extra preparation — but having your furball by your side makes it all worth it! To make things a bit easier, we put together the following checklist.

The international trip checklist

A few months before your trip

• Do some preliminary research
  Find out what requirements your destination country and mode(s) of transportation have for traveling with a dog or cat. Some airlines have specific paperwork to fill out, some restrict certain breeds or time periods of travel, etc.

Common items needed for international travel include specific vaccinations, microchipping, testing, an international health certificate, and rabies certificate. Visit the USDA/APHIS website for details.

Talk to your vet to see if they can provide the items and certificates needed for your specific destinations.

• Make a vet appointment (as early as possible!)
  Bring your research, trip details, and any concerns you have about your pet traveling. Does your furry friend get anxious when traveling? Is there anything your vet recommends to help with that?

Depending on the details of your trip, you may need to visit the vet multiple times. In rare cases, you may even need to get your pet examined by the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. So, it’s good to kick off the process well in advance — and maybe factor in one appointment solely for discussing travel needs.

• Shop for necessary travel crates, dog and cat carriers, and accessories
  Airplanes (and trains, buses, etc.) have requirements for the sizes of crates and pet carriers you can bring your pet in.

Make sure to strictly follow these, as getting turned away at the airport won’t be pleasant.

It’s also a good idea to familiarize your dog or cat with these items well in advance of the trip. Let them sniff them, lay in them, etc. This can help squash unnecessary anxiety when it’s time to travel with a cat or dog.

A month before your trip

• Find a vet abroad
  While we hope our trips are nothing but carefree and fun, stuff happens. It’s smart to see what vets and emergency vets are in the area — just in case!

• Double check those accommodations
  Are you staying at a hotel? Or a vacation rental? Take another look at the pet policy to ensure your pet is allowed and that you understand all expectations.

The week of your trip

• Pack, pack, pack!
  Sure, it can be tempting, but don’t save packing until the night before. You’ll want to make sure your furball has what they need to stay safe, comfortable, and healthy. Toys, treats, a cozy blanket, and a leash and/or harness are a must.

Make sure to also pack the necessary paperwork you received from your vet, along with at least a couple of copies of it. You may need to give copies to customs, your airline, and/or accommodations.

Plus, food! Many places don’t have the same available food brands, so bringing your pet’s food may help them avoid an upset stomach.

And, lastly, medication. Does your dog or cat take daily medication? Will you be out of town when they’re due for their next parasite preventive? Did the vet prescribe an anti-anxiety medication? Bring these! They may be incredibly difficult/impossible to get on your trip. (Psst...Make sure to also keep them in the original prescription bottles.)

Feeling a bit more prepared now? We’re sure you and your furry pal are going to have a blast. And, hey, maybe send us an invite next time... If you're more of a visual learner or need a handy recap, watch our video on traveling with your pet.

Keeping things local?
Your trip planning may be less complicated but there are still some important things to keep in mind. We’ve got road trip to-dos, travel kit recommendations, and driving and hotel tips. Check them out on our blog about hitting the road with your pet.