Taking your pet on holiday

Whether you take your pet on holiday or leave them in the care of a responsible person, it's important to do what you can to keep your pets happy and stress-free. Many pets will find the change in routine, environment and travelling stressful, so you'll need to decide what's best for them.

If you're thinking about taking your dog on holiday, make sure you plan before you book. Cats, rabbits and small animals who aren't familiar with travelling and visiting new places shouldn't be taken on holiday, because the experience is likely to be too stressful for them.

The rules on taking your dog or cat abroad changed on 1 January 2021. Make sure you know what you need to do before you go on holiday.

Taking your pets abroad

The rules for taking a dog, cat or ferret abroad vary depending on the country you're going to or coming from. For more information, read the Government's guide to taking your pet abroad, or call the Pet Travel Scheme helpline on 0370 241 1710.

Travelling to the EU or Northern Ireland with a pet

Pet passports are no longer valid. You'll need a new Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from your vet for each journey you make to Europe or Northern Ireland – whether your pet has travelled there before or not.

You'll need to take your pet to the vet to get the certificate. This needs to be done no more than 10 days before you travel. You should plan well in advance as not every veterinary practice offers this service, and the ones which do may not be able to fit appointments at short notice.

Vaccinations, medication and microchipping

Your pet will need to be vaccinated against diseases we don't have in the UK, including rabies. Ask your vet for advice.

If your pet hasn't previously travelled, or their rabies vaccination is out of date, you'll need to visit your vet at least 21 days before travel. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old to get the rabies vaccination and will not be able to travel for 21 days following the vaccination.

If your dog is on any medication, ensure you have enough supplies for the whole time you'll be away. In case of an emergency, get hold of the contact details of a veterinary practice in the areas you will be visiting including details of their ‘out of hours’ service.

You'll also need to microchip your pet: it's a legal requirement in some countries and significantly increases the chance of returning your pet to you if it gets lost.

Tapeworm treatment required for certain countries

Your pet will also need a tapeworm treatment if you're travelling to:

Ireland
Northern Ireland
Finland
Malta
Norway

Your pet will need an appointment with a vet for this treatment between 24 hours and five days before you arrive in that country. You may be able to get this done when you get the Animal Health Certificate if the timings allow.

Find out about the diseases your pet may encounter abroad in the Animal Welfare Foundation leaflet Taking your pets abroad.

Pet checks before your holiday

Check where you're staying has everything your pet needs, including an emergency contact for a vet and 'out of hours' service.
Visit your vet at least one month before travel. Ask your vet to ensure your pet's vaccinations, flea and worm treatments are up to date. Your vet will issue a health certificate that must be used within 10 days of being issued.
As well as being microchipped, your pet should wear a collar with an identity tag with your name, holiday address and contact details, so if they get lost you can be reunited as quickly as possible.

Taking your dog on holiday

Holidays can be a great opportunity for you and your dog to spend some quality time together. However, remember that all dogs are individuals and whether your dog has as much fun as you will depend on things like their age and health, and what your holiday plans involve.

Things to consider before you book

Take some time to consider if your holiday plans are suitable for your canine companion.

Check out the weather forecast for when/where you plan to be away. Dogs can suffer in the heat and are vulnerable to heatstroke. If you’re considering taking your dog away during warm weather make sure you’ll be able to keep them safe, cool and protected from the heat.

Speak to your vet before you book to ensure your dog is suitably fit and healthy to travel. This is especially important if you are planning an active and adventurous holiday.

Consider whether they’ll be happy and relaxed. Many dogs are comfortable with visiting new places, meeting new people and experiencing some changes to their routine – but equally some dogs can find this all a bit too much. If you think your dog might feel worried, stressed or scared on holiday it’s best to leave them at home with a responsible person to care for them.

Make sure anywhere you plan to stay has a dog-friendly policy and let them know in advance that you’ll be bringing your dog. Find out about what facilities they offer for pets – for example, do they provide dog beds, are there suitable places close by for doggy toilet breaks, are there local dog-friendly walks? Think about what activities you and your family will want to do – will your dog be able to be involved? Look up local dog-friendly pubs, cafes, parks and beaches in advance.

What to bring

Going on holiday can mean quite a lot of change and new experiences for your dog so take time to help them settle in and feel secure. As far as possible try to keep to your dog’s routine so that food, exercise, bed and toilet breaks are around the same time every day – keeping some consistency can help them feel more secure. Changing your dog’s diet suddenly can cause them stomach upsets so keep them on their usual diet.

Settling in

Place the familiar-smelling item you brought in your dog’s bed or somewhere they will spend a lot of time. Providing something which smells familiar can help them feel secure when they are experiencing changes.

Give your dog time and space to explore new places and people at their own pace. Holidays can be busy and exciting so it’s important your dog has lots of time to rest undisturbed in a quiet, comfortable and draught-free spot. Never leave them alone for any period which might cause them distress.

Staying safe

Take precautions to keep your dog safe on holiday. Walk your dog on their lead unless you are sure it is safe to let them off – in a new place you won’t always know where roads or other potential hazards are located. If you’re walking in dark or dim light make sure your dog has an LED collar or light attached so you and others can still see them. Keep yourself safe by wearing a high-vis jacket.

Keep an eye on your dog’s behaviour, any changes may mean they are feeling bored, stressed or ill. Never leave your dog in any situation which could put them at harm, for example, tied up outside a shop or anywhere they could become too hot.

Taking a cat on holiday

Cats always need to be able to hide, as it helps them to feel safe. If your cat is staying away from home, give them hiding places such as an igloo bed or even a cardboard box.

Many cats get stressed being in their carrier. Help them learn to feel safe in their carrier by leaving it out in a quiet spot in the house, adding cosy bedding and regularly placing tasty treats and their favourite toys inside. When transporting your cat, always keep a familiar-smelling item in the carrier with them.

Taking rabbits and small animals on holiday

If you do have to transport your rabbits or other small animals, remember:

Transport them together with their familiar companion(s) to help reduce stress and avoid possible problems with re-introductions.
Transport small animals like hamsters in their home-cage. If this isn’t possible, transfer them into a smaller, secure pet carrier.
Move some used, unsoiled nesting material into the travel carrier and new home – this will smell familiar to your pets and can be reassuring.
Provide constant access to food and water while they're on the move.
Try to keep the noise levels down and keep them away from cats and dogs so that they don't get scared.

Transporting your pet

You must make sure that your pet is not transported in any way that is likely to cause them injury or unnecessary suffering. Always plan your journey carefully, taking into account your pet’s needs, and if you have any doubt about whether your pet is fit and healthy to travel, seek advice from your vet.

Pets can find travelling a stressful experience. If you’re planning a car or train journey, it may be beneficial to take them on a few short local journeys to get them used to the unfamiliar environment, sights, sounds and movement before you go on holiday, and to check that they are happy with this type of transport. If your pet suffers from travel sickness, speak to your vet.

Remember:

Make sure you have fulfilled all the legal requirements of taking your pet abroad if your journey takes you out of the UK.
For long journeys, have your pet checked over by a vet before you travel.
Choose the most direct route to your destination to reduce the travel time and stress on your pet.
Check the travel company’s (train, ferry or airline) policy on travelling with a pet.
Travel during the coolest part of the day and when it is less busy – usually overnight, first thing in the morning or later at night.
Always make sure your pet is secure and comfortable. Cats or small animals should be in a robust and suitable carrier which allows them to sit and stand up at full height, turn around easily and lie down in a natural position.
Make sure your pet is comfortable and has enough water. If travelling by air with a pet, use a non-spill container that will last the length of the flight. Provide gelled water as a reserve.
Check there’s enough ventilation for your pet, but always take great care to ensure they can’t escape from their carrier.

Travelling by car

Make sure your pet is secure and comfortable during the journey so that they don’t distract you when you are driving, injure you or themselves if you have to stop quickly, and can’t escape when you or your passengers exit the vehicle. Cats and small animals should be kept in a suitably robust and secure carrier that is properly secured in the car to stop it moving about.

Always make sure that your vehicle, and your pet’s container, is well ventilated and kept cool during the journey. Never leave your pet in a car on a warm or hot day. This can cause distress and suffering, and even death.

On long journeys you should:

Provide access to water throughout your journey, but feed your pet no sooner than two hours before you travel – your pet will travel better if without a full stomach. If your journey covers a period of time in which your pet would normally be fed, remember to take your pet’s food with you. Take a break to feed your pet a light meal and wait for two hours before continuing your journey.
Take regular breaks. Your pet should be allowed to exercise and go to the toilet at regular intervals. Cats and small animals should be given the chance to use a litter tray. Always make sure that all windows and doors are firmly closed and locked while your cat is out of the carrier to prevent escaping. Dogs should always be exercised on a lead, and you should make sure that they can’t escape from the car as you go to get them out.

Travelling by train

If you decide to travel by train, make sure that the train company officials know that you have a live animal and follow their instructions.

Travelling by ferry

Check the ferry company’s policy on travelling with a pet. Animals other than registered assistance dogs are not allowed in passenger areas on most ferry trips, and passengers are not always allowed back to their cars during the journey. This will mean you may not be able to check on your pet during your ferry crossing. Depending on the length of your journey you may be required to place your pet in a container rather than leave them in the car. Always make sure that the ferry company officials responsible for loading know that you have a live animal in your vehicle and follow their instructions.

Never travel on a hot day, as leaving your animal in a car on a warm or hot day can cause distress and suffering and can lead to the death of your pet. Make sure your pet is comfortable and has enough water.

Travelling by air

Long journeys including the flight, transportation to and from the aircraft and waiting times in the hold of an aircraft can be very stressful and distressing for pets. Make sure you contact the airline prior to arranging travel to find out what their ‘pet travel’ policy is.

Apart from registered assistance dogs, animals cannot travel in the cabin of an aircraft with their owners and so will be transported in the hold. Although the hold is usually ventilated and temperature controlled, this may not be the case when the aircraft is on the ground. Delays can occur in flight times and regulations may not allow the hold to be opened on the tarmac, even during high temperatures.

By law the International Air Transport Association Live Animals Regulations must be met in order to transport animals by plane. These specify standards such as the design, ventilation, and size of containers for transporting dogs and cats, and also arrangements for providing food and water. They also state that particular animals are not allowed to travel by plane.