"To travel is to live" but what about when you want to bring your four-legged friend with you?

Are you considering whether to take your best friend on a trip? You're not alone. Many of us want to take the four-legged family member along on the trip. In this blog, we have tried to collect rules and good advice about everything from passports to deworming. In addition, there will be some individual tips that can make the trip a little better. If you are about to make a checklist, don't worry, we have started one for you. You can find it at the bottom of this blog post. Well let's get started!

Let's start with the boring, but important things to have in mind before the trip.

Rules about traveling with dogs and cats in the EU and outside the EU

Firstly, it applies that for most EU countries there are common EU rules in relation to the import and export of dogs and cats. If you are left with a small lump of less than 3 months, however, you must contact the local authorities well in advance of entry to find out, up to each individual EU country, whether they will allow the importation of unvaccinated animals under 3 months of age. If you want to travel back to the EU with a pet from countries outside the EU, the requirements vary depending on the country of origin. Ireland, Malta, Sweden and the UK have their own entry requirements. If you want to travel with a pet to a country outside the EU, the veterinary regulations of the country in question apply. Read more about country-specific rules at Fødevarestyrelsens hjemmeside.

The European Pet Passport/EU Pet Passport

A European pet passport is a document that is essential for traveling between EU countries. It contains information about your pet, including its microchip or tattoo code, as well as rabies vaccination information and contact details for the owner and the vet who issued the passport. You can get a European pet passport for your dog or cat from an approved veterinarian (authorized by the authorities to issue pet passports). A pet passport is valid for the animal's lifetime, provided its rabies vaccination is up to date. EU passports are issued in connection with the first rabies vaccination. In the passport, the vet can note vaccinations and treatments carried out. You do not have to enter any data in the passport yourself.

To get a European pet passport, your animal must be ID marked.

Cats and dogs traveling within the EU must be identified with a microchip. The microchip must comply with ISO standard 11784 and use HDX or FDX-B technology and be readable by a reading device compatible with ISO standard 11785. Cats that have a legible tattoo made before 3. July 2011, and has a passport or veterinary certificate for import, where the date of the tattoo appears, does not need to be tagged with a chip.

The EU animal health certificate 

An EU animal health certificate is another type of document that you need when traveling home from a country outside the EU.

Your pet must have an EU animal health certificate if you are traveling back to the EU from a country outside the EU. So when you go on holiday outside the EU and have to return home, this must be included in your suitcase on the way home. It is issued by a state-recognised veterinarian in the country of departure, no later than 10 days before your pet arrives in the EU. It contains specific information about your pet (identity, health and rabies vaccinations), a bit like the pet passport. The certificate is valid for travel between EU countries for four months or until the rabies vaccination expires, whichever comes first.

Which vaccinations and treatments should your four-legged friend have?

At this point, you should be aware that the individual countries have different requirements for the vaccinations your four-legged friend must have, and there is a difference between traveling within and outside the EU. So spend some time before your holiday getting to grips with the rules that apply to where you are going.

The basic requirement for traveling within the EU is that your pet is vaccinated against rabies. With rabies vaccination, the dog/cat must travel after 21 days at the earliest. the validity period of the rabies vaccination depends on the vaccine used and puppies/kittens must not be vaccinated before 12 weeks of age.

If you have recently traveled with your animal and on your next trip your animal will be revaccinated within the validity period of your basic vaccine (this period has been entered in your animal's passport by your vet), then there is no waiting period for 21 days before you are allowed to travel.

In addition to the rabies vaccine, it is a good idea to protect your dog or cat on the journey with other vaccines. It is recommended i.a. to vaccinate your dog against the bacterial disease leptospirosis if you are traveling to Southern Europe. In Denmark, we have no vaccine against Leptospirosis for cats.

However, your cat should be vaccinated against feline distemper and cat flu regardless of where you go.

Protecting against infection is not just about your animal's health. Different diseases exist in different countries and can spread to other animals and occasionally to humans. Certain vaccines and treatments are voluntary, but can save you and your animal worry. It is, among other things, important to be aware that cats can be infected with infectious diseases, some of which do not cause symptoms until long after infection. When traveling through several countries, your cat or dog must meet the import requirements of each country crossed.

Ticks
Both dogs and cats should be treated for ticks before departure. In Central and Southern Europe you will find, among other things, the brown dog tick, which can spread an infection that is not found here at home. Preventatively treat with external tick repellent in good time before you travel, so that the product has an optimal effect. Remember to check how long the effect lasts. Also check the dog's/cat's fur during the journey to make sure you don't bring any uninvited guests home.

Mosquito

When traveling with dogs and cats in southern Europe, be aware of the sand mosquito, which can spread leishmaniasis to dogs, cats and humans. Leishmaniasis in cats is rare. It can take months or years for the disease to develop and the disease is unfortunately chronic, which means lifelong treatment if you are unlucky enough to get it. It is possible to vaccinate dogs against Leishmania but not your cat.

In addition, in southern Europe, there is a biting mosquito that can transmit tropical heartworm, which develops in the dog's/cat's lungs and is difficult to cure. There is an effective medicine that protects against attacks and prevents disease. If necessary, protect your dog/cat with a mosquito net or keep them inside at night. Talk to your vet about the options and the need for protection in relation to where you are going.

Worms

Some countries, both inside and outside the EU, require that the dog has been wormed against the fox's dwarf tapeworm. This is because in the mountain regions of Europe and other parts of Europe, the fox's dwarf tapeworm is common. The parasite can be spread by foxes and dogs and can be transmitted to humans, resulting in serious illness. The countries that require this treatment are, among other things, about Norway, Great Britain, Ireland, Malta and Finland. This deworming must be given no earlier than 120 hours and no later than 24 hours before entering the country in question. It is a requirement that the tablet be administered by a veterinarian and documented in the pet passport. Talk to your vet about the required deworming if it becomes relevant.

Insurance

Finally, of the mandatory things, it is of course a good idea to make sure that your dog/cat is insured for the trip. Check well in advance what applies to veterinary assistance in the country you are going to visit.

Good advice and tips for the journey and the stay when you have your companion with you

Prepare your animal
Prepare your dog/cat before departure. Get them used to the cage they will travel in. If you are traveling to a city, it is a good idea to practice being among many people in an urban environment. For example, take a bus or subway with many people.

Car travel

A car journey is a relatively easy mode of transport. It is possible to take self-selected breaks along the way, where the dog/cat can get air and water is offered. The breaks are very important! Especially for larger dogs, as they often have too little space due to a lot of luggage. Remember when packing the car that the dog must be able to turn around and lie down flat.

The good thing about this method of travel is that you are close to your dog/cat and can therefore keep an eye on it throughout the journey. We recommend that you have an approved dog cage for your dog, as this protects both your dog and you in the car in the event of an accident. If you don't have the opportunity to get a cage, use a seat belt for your dog/cat so they don't accidentally fly into the car. Never leave your animal loose in the car, just as you never leave your children loose in the car. For safety reasons, it is recommended that the cat is also transported in a transport box. The cage for the dog and the transport box for the cat should be designed and placed so that the dog/cat can have shade and good ventilation. The dog/cat should have a large enough cage that they can stand in a normal position (this can of course be a problem with very large breeds), lie down and turn around.

It is important to bear in mind that if your car does not have air conditioning or air conditioning, it often gets very hot in the back of the car during the summer. This means there is a real risk of heatstroke, which can be life-threatening, especially for the large breeds. With heavy traffic in Europe, there are often long queues of cars, especially during the industrial holidays. When the car is stationary, there is a risk of a sharp rise in temperature in the car.

Dogs should NEVER be left alone in the car due to the risk of heat stroke. Even in gray weather, dogs can also get heat stroke.

Do you suspect that your dog or cat is getting motion sickness? Motion sickness in cats can occasionally be caused by a disturbance in the balance organ in the inner ear. Motion sickness is often expressed in the form of the cat salivating or vomiting. Sometimes it pees on itself or gets diarrhea. Many cats like to be able to look out the window when driving. If possible, the transport cage can be positioned so that it is slightly higher in the car. However, there are some cats that prefer to lie in the dark. In these cases, a blanket can be placed over the transport cage. If your dog has a tendency to motion sickness, you can try motion sickness tablets for humans, e.g. Postafen, and give a dose that corresponds to ½ of what humans take. It also has a slightly sedating effect and often works very well. This should NOT be used for cats. In addition, the risk of the dog or cat vomiting can be reduced by fasting them for food a few hours before departure.

There are various remedies for motion sickness, for example calming fragrance hormones/pheromones, as well as nutritional supplements. There are the products Zylkene tablets or Adaptil spray, and they can help with discomfort during transport. Most preparations are available over the counter. Finally, ask the vet or the pharmacy for advice. If the problem is very large and your dog or cat needs prescription, sedative medication, it must first be examined by a veterinarian according to the new EU rules.

It can also be good to be prepared for stomach/intestinal problems, as some animals react with diarrhea when they get motion sickness. That's why it's a good idea to have some light food and canikur with you in your luggage. This now applies regardless of how you travel, because just like us humans, animals can react to the bacteria they come across.

Don't forget to check what regulations apply to the countries you are traveling through towards your final destination. There are rules for how dogs may be transported by car, how often they must be ventilated and several other things. Never leave your pet in the car.

Train journey

A train journey with your animal has its advantages, because you can have your full attention on the animal, and can offer it water at any time. The climate on the train is often fine, and the risk of heat stroke is small compared to a car. Dogs and cats can be taken on most national trains. However, there may be special provisions for certain departures, e.g. night train.

In general, dogs are allowed on trains, provided that other passengers are not bothered by either smell or noise. However, there are certain countries that prohibit the transport of dogs on trains. In addition, be aware that demands may be made by the train company that the dog wears a muzzle for the entire trip. It is therefore important that if you want to go on a train journey, you should be early on to investigate what rules the various train companies have in the individual countries you are going through.

Dogs, which can be in an ordinary handbag, are often transported free of charge. This also applies to cats. With larger dogs, a child ticket is often paid, and they often also have to have a seat ticket. It can be difficult to ventilate the dog on longer train journeys. Ask the staff if there are shorter breaks approx. 5-10 minutes at certain stations. Remember that you must be prepared to have to stop at several places on the way to the destination, as your dog or cat needs to be aired. It is not OK to leave your animal facing for long periods of time.

Different rules usually apply to guide and service dogs.

Flight

Check with the airline which rules apply to flights with cats and dogs, as the rules vary between airlines. You often need a special animal ticket for your animal. Cats and small dogs can often be allowed to stay in the cabin if they are in an approved bag/cage. They must be placed under the chair seat in front of the owner during take-off, taxi and landing. In several places there are restrictions on how many animals can be in the cabin during the individual flight, so it is wise to book your ticket well in advance. It is not always possible to book the ticket over the internet.

Larger dogs (often over 8 kg) are transported in a pressurized hold in a transport box, which you have to provide yourself. It must meet certain requirements. This form of transport can be very stressful for some dogs and you should think carefully, especially with regard to dogs with short muzzles that may have breathing problems.

With most airlines, service dogs usually travel for free, while prices vary for the others. It is recommended to check the requirements with each individual company.

Injury or illness

It is important to give your dog/cat the same food as at home. Changing feed always involves a risk, so take their usual feed with you on the trip. When it comes to water, the animal should get the same as you drink yourself. This means that if you are in a country where you must drink bottled water, this also applies to your animal.

We all know about holiday stomachs and this can also affect your four-legged friend. If the accident happens and your dog/cat has consumed something inappropriate, it can get an upset stomach, just like us humans, with diarrhea and vomiting as a result. This can lead to dehydration. If your animal falls ill or has an accident on the journey, you can get advice and help by calling your vet or your insurance company at home. Most things can be done over the phone, so remember to take the contact details with you to your vet and insurance company. If your animal's general condition is rapidly affected, you must seek an on-site veterinary clinic or animal hospital as soon as possible.

First aid kit

Bring e.g. help for motion sickness, tick repellants, mosquito nets, fluid replacement, a light diet and canikur (over-the-counter medicine for an upset stomach), sand mosquito repellent, elastic bandage and anything else the dog/cat may need. Make sure you have the right travel pharmacy with you.

Return

Get an overview of which rules apply to returning to Denmark from the countries visited. When you come back, you have to go through customs. There they check whether all the papers on your animal are in order. You must be in possession of the original documents. Remember to check the applicable regulations.

If your animal does not meet the requirements of the border control, the animal may be rejected, quarantined or euthanized. The measures that are adopted are usually paid for by the animal's owner, so be prepared

Leave your pet at home?

As an owner, you should always ask yourself the question whether it is better to leave your four-legged friend at home. A journey can involve a strain, not least if the journey is long or, understandably, if your animal has to travel in the hold. Your animal also risks being exposed to infection and disease, both during the journey and when you have returned home, where the infection can spread at home. If it concerns a shorter trip, it is worth considering whether it is better to leave your friend at home with a dear animal friend or at a good pet boarding house. Especially cats that have not traveled since they were kittens can have major stress problems from being taken out of their usual environment.

Where can you find all the important information?

If you want to familiarize yourself with the applicable regulations for the country you are traveling to, you can go to Fødevarestyrelsens hjemmeside. Here you can also get an overview of the rules for your travel destination by answering a few questions. There are facts about traveling with a dog and links to rules. You must also check what applies when you have to bring your dog home again. You can also investigate the matter at the embassies of the respective countries. Ask to be contacted by the veterinary authority and ask for written information on what is required. This documentation can be presented to your veterinarian.

You can also find more about diseases outside of Denmark's borders when traveling with pets at e.g. second Statens Serum Institut's website.

And as we promised, we have made a checklist below, which contains the most important things to remember for traveling with your animal.

We hope this post gave you an overview of what to remember if you want to bring your best friend with you on the trip. From here, at least, a "really good trip" must sound for you and our four-legged friends.

-MyPetPassion