If you’re planning a holiday abroad and considering taking your pet with you, there are probably plenty of questions running through your mind. “Do I need a pet passport?”, “Can my pet travel in the cabin?”, “What do I need to prepare?”. Read on as we explain everything you need to know, from paperwork to packing.
Should I take my pet on holiday?
When deciding whether to take your pet on a trip, it helps to consider if the experience will be mostly positive or stressful for them. Travelling abroad often means spending long periods in a carrier, new sights, unfamiliar smells, loud noises and changes in temperature – something many pets would find extremely unsettling, especially for cats. While dogs are generally more adaptable, ask yourself this: Would they be happier staying at home with someone they know?
Always check GOV.UK before you go away. It has the latest advice on pet travel, including country-specific entry requirements. Some paperwork needs to be arranged weeks before you travel, so it’s always best to plan ahead.
Does my pet need a UK pet passport to travel?
Since Brexit, the rules around pet passports have changed. If you’re travelling from Great Britain to the EU or Northern Ireland, you’ll usually need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) instead of a UK pet passport.
Although many people still search for a ‘dog passport’, ‘cat passport’ or ‘pet passport’, these documents are no longer issued in Great Britain for travel to the EU.
EU pet passports are now only valid for owners who are habitually resident in the EU.
Travelling with your pet to the EU or Northern Ireland
While you won’t need a UK pet passport, you’ll need the following instead.
Animal Health Certificate
To obtain an Animal Health Certificate, you’ll have to take your pet to an Official Veterinarian or OV (a vet who’s allowed to issue health certificates), no more than ten days before your trip. You’ll also need to bring proof of your pet’s microchip (showing the date) and vaccination history. If your vet isn’t an OV, they should be able to recommend one.
Once your vet has issued the certificate, it will be valid for:
- Ten days for entry into the EU/Northern Ireland.
- Six months for travelling within the EU from your original EU destination and returning to Great Britain.
If you’re planning several trips abroad – for example, taking your dog to France in spring and Spain in summer – you’ll need a new Animal Health Certificate for each trip.
Microchip and rabies vaccination
Before travelling, your pet should have up-to-date vaccinations, but the rabies vaccine is particularly important. Your pet has to be at least 12 weeks old to be vaccinated against rabies, so your vet will need to confirm your pet’s age.
If your pet doesn’t have a microchip, you can book this for the same day as their rabies vaccination. Once the rabies vaccination has been administered, you’ll have to wait 21 days after the primary vaccination before you can travel. Your vet will then record the vaccination date, the date it’s valid until, and your pet’s microchip number on the certificate.
As long as your pet’s rabies vaccination stays up to date, they won’t need another vaccination before future trips to the EU or Northern Ireland.
Tapeworm treatment
This is required only for dogs when travelling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta.
The current rules say your dog will need to receive the worming treatment between 24 hours and 5 days before you arrive at your destination. If you’re arranging vaccinations or microchipping at the same time, it’s worth planning ahead so everything can be done within the required timeframes.
Remember, no more than five pets can travel with you in the EU unless you’re travelling to take part in, or train for, a competition, show or sporting event.
Travelling with your pet to a non-EU country
For non-EU travel abroad, you’ll need to get what’s known as an Export Health Certificate (EHC) and complete an Export Application form (EXA).
An Export Health Certificate ensures your pet meets the conditions for entry into the country you want to travel to. You’ll have to nominate an official vet who will be sent the certificate – they’ll then check that your pet is healthy and meets the relevant country’s requirements.
EHCs and EXAs vary by country, but each one will walk you through the relevant application process.
Seems like too much of a faff? We don’t blame you. If the paperwork, planning and worry involved in taking your pet abroad doesn’t feel worth it, check out our guide for travelling with your pet by car in the UK.
Tips for a smooth journey
Being prepared is everything when it comes to travelling with pets. This is what we recommend adding to your checklist:
Pet-friendly transport
Before you book, check your airline’s pet travel policy carefully. Often, registered assistance dogs are the only animals allowed in the cabin, so your pet will usually travel in the hold. Airlines that transport pets are equipped to do so safely, but delays can happen. If your pet is travelling in the hold, let cabin crew know and ask for updates if you’re concerned.
Brachycephalic pets such as pugs, bulldogs, Shih Tzus and Persian cats are sometimes not allowed in the hold due to the risk of breathing difficulties – something else to keep in mind if your pet belongs to this breed.
Pet carriers
Pet carriers and crates are probably the most essential items you’ll need when travelling with your cat or dog by train, plane or ferry, as it’ll be your pet’s safe space for much of the journey. Pick one that is sturdy, comfortable, well-ventilated and provides enough room for your pet to stand.
Travel accessories
With the pet carrier sorted, we need to think about those other travel essentials that will help keep your pet comfortable and safe, including:
- A good quality lead and harness
- Travel bowls and water bottles
- Toys (chew toys and soft toys are particularly handy)
- Treats, for positive reinforcement
- Cooling accessories when travelling in hot weather
- Poo bags
Last but not least, pheromone products and calming supplements, such as an Adaptil collar or spray for dogs, or a Feliway calming spray for cats, can help provide a sense of calm in stressful situations. Zylkene capsules can also help cats and dogs feel more relaxed when travelling. All three brands are vet-recommended, non-drowsy and non-medicated.
You’ll find all these essentials in our Pet Travel collection. With everything packed and the paperwork sorted, all that’s left to do is enjoy the journey.
