How to Travel with Pets: A Quick Guide for Pet Owners

Traveling is great, but traveling with your furry best friend can be even more exciting. Many travelers choose to bring their pets along. But how do you make your journey pet-friendly and stress-free? What should you know before hitting the road with your pet? Let’s explore the key rules and best tips for traveling with pets.

How to Travel with Pets: Policy Explained 

Before you decide to take your four-legged friend, check out the trip details. When you book a ticket or search for routes, be sure to check whether a carrier allows animals on board. Some carriers offer pet-friendly services, while others don’t allow animal transportation. This is usually specified in the “Details of route” section. 

If a carrier allows pets on board, great — now it’s time to prepare for your smooth journey.

How to Prepare for Traveling with Pets: Tips and Insights 

A pet-friendly journey is not that complicated — just follow simple tips. There are a few important things to keep in mind — here are the most useful ones for an easy journey with your pet.

Health Check-up 

Schedule a check-up and be sure to get a health certificate. It may be required for transportation. A vet appointment is a good way to know your animal is safe to travel. Also, make sure your pet is vaccinated, especially against rabies. If your pet has any chronic conditions or diseases, ask a vet if it’s safe to travel and if so — get an extra supply of medication. 

Identification

Identification is mandatory for traveling to the EU. The EU policy requires microchipping for identification. Also, get an EU pet passport and a health certificate to enter the EU with pets. Additionally, consider getting a collar tag with your contact information. Optionally get a GPS tag or QR code. 

Transportation Policies

Transportation policies vary by carrier. Most of them provide specific regulations, so be sure to check out the carrier’s policy and comply with requirements. This usually relates to size and weight limits, documents, fees, and a method of transportation. Airlines provide strict rules for pet traveling, while many bus/train carriers don’t have specific policies. If you are not certain about any issues, reach out for clarification to avoid any problems.

Packing 

Packing properly ensures you have everything you and your furry friend need. First, find out if your ticket includes checked baggage or a carry-on only. It significantly changes the number of things you can pack. 

What to pack when traveling with a pet:

  🔵 Food and water

  🔵 Bowls (collapsible if possible)

  🔵 Favorite toys or comfort items

  🔵 Blanket or small bed

  🔵 Leash and collar

  🔵 Medications and first-aid supplies

  🔵 Litter box and litter (for cats)

  🔵 Waste bags or cleanup supplies

Kennel or Carrier 

Get a convenient carrier or a kennel for your pet. Traveling with dogs can be more challenging, especially for large breeds that are harder to transport in a kennel or carrier. When choosing the best carriers for pet travel, consider options that are compact yet comfortable. Large carriers might not meet transportation rules; however, options that are too small are not convenient for long travel. 

Safety 

Use common sense and keep your pet on a leash at all times during your journey. It helps prevent incidents and keeps your furry friend safe. Travel can be stressful for pets — they might try to escape or act unpredictably. That’s why a leash keeps them close to you, so you can comfort and protect them. 

Dogs and cats are naturally curious in unfamiliar places — they might sniff out trash, get stuck somewhere, or get into a fight with other animals. Be careful and keep an eye on your pets at all times.

Pet Insurance 

It’s a great way to protect yourself from unexpected expenses related to your pets. It typically covers emergency vet care, including illnesses, injuries, and medications. Some providers also cover quarantine, document loss, or expenses related to lost or stolen pets.

International Travel with Pets: EU Regulations 

Traveling with a pet to Europe comes with certain rules you need to comply with. Certain EU regulations apply: 

  🔵 Microchip (or tattoo if applied before July 3, 2011)

  🔵 Valid rabies vaccination

  🔵 Rabies antibody titration test (if required)

  🔵 Tapeworm (Echinococcus multilocularis) treatment (for entry into certain tapeworm-free countries)

  🔵 EU pet passport (within EU) or health certificate (from non-EU countries)

Additional rules may apply to document checks, entry restrictions, and transport conditions. If you need a detailed overview of the EU regulations, check out the official EU website. 

In addition to EU-wide rules, check the specific pet travel laws of your destination country. For example, an EU pet passport is only for dogs, cats, and ferrets. Other animals are regulated by national legislation. 

Travel Stress-Free with INFOBUS 

Exploring the world with pets is an unforgettable experience. Use this guide to prepare, plan ahead, and enjoy every moment of your journey with your furry friend. If you’re planning a trip with your pet, secure your tickets for easy transportation. INFOBUS is here to help you — we provide routes from trusted carriers. 

Browse available routes, check route details to see whether animal transportation is allowed, and book your ticket if the option suits your needs. It’s easy and intuitive — INFOBUS makes journeys accessible and stress-free. 

Travel smart, compare options, and get the best deal. Traveling as a pet owner is easy with INFOBUS! 

If you need assistance, the INFOBUS support team is available 24/7 to help.

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Sincerely, INFOBUS!