Everyone wants to travel with their dog from time to time. One goes to grandpa and grandma, the other goes on vacation and the other even emigrates. What do you have to pay attention to when you want to travel with the dog? Sometimes your dog needs a pet passport or you need a statement that he is healthy. Chipping is also highly recommended.
The basic things for traveling with a dog
If you do not properly secure your dog in the car, a small accident can lead to major consequences because he is loose in the car. Buy a harness that you can attach to the seat belt buckle. Make sure the harness is long / large enough that the dog can lie flat on the back seat to sleep. Make sure it can be securely fastened without your dog getting tangled with it, if you are not careful it will cause an accident rather than prevent an accident. It is also an option if you have a trunk large enough to carry your dog in a crate. When you travel by plane, your dog will always have to be crated. If you travel by train, it depends on the education of the dog. It is allowed to take the dog on a harness, but you must make sure that you have enough control over the dog and that it will not bother anyone.
Always pay attention to the location of your dog during the trip. Try to avoid the sun as it can overheat your dog. Make sure he always has a place in the shade with preferably fresh air. If you are traveling by car, it is best to take a short break every two hours so that your dog can stretch his paws. In the train, the dog will get his movement when you transfer. If you have to be on the same train for a long time, you can consider getting off somewhere and catching the next train fifteen minutes / half an hour later. During the break, give your dog something to drink and possibly something to eat. Eating is not a good idea if you know your dog is suffering from motion sickness. Never let your dog run loose in an unfamiliar environment. You and your dog both don’t know what’s around. He’s much more likely to run in a different direction and not come back because of all the new smells and other things.
Chipping
A microchip is a chip with a unique number that is placed under the dog’s skin. In most cases between the neck and the shoulder blades. With a chipped dog that has gotten lost, a scanner can be used to check who its last registered owner is. A chip is also very useful to prove that a stolen dog was yours. There are a number of different types of chips.
Before you travel, it is wise to find out if your dog’s chip works in the country you are going to. You can also check whether your dog is properly registered in the international database. Some dogs have a tattoo that identifies them. This is only valid if it is set before July 2011 and if it is still legible.
Anti-parasitic treatments
In some countries, infections occur that your dog has no natural defense against because it has never been in contact with it. Because of this, they need more protection than the dogs that always live in the area. Especially in warm and humid areas many infectious diseases occur that are transmitted by insects. Before you go on vacation, always find out if anti-parasitic treatments are available. Vaccinations or drops are available against various diseases. In an area where rabies is common, you should always get your dog vaccinated! Traveling with dogs under three months of age is in most cases illegal because these dogs have not yet been vaccinated against rabies.
Pet passport
With a pet passport you can go to a number of countries where rabies does not occur without your dog having to be quarantined before he can enter the country. You can only get this passport if your dog has been microchipped and vaccinated against rabies. Your dog must also undergo a blood test to demonstrate that your dog has sufficient antibodies against various diseases. The guidelines differ per country and can be obtained from the authorities that are involved in the transport of animals.
Entering different races
You might not think about it, but in some countries it is illegal to go on vacation with certain purebred dogs. In Norway these are for example: the pittbull terrier, the dogo argentino, the American Staffordshire terrier and dogs that are a cross with a wolf. You will also always have to be able to show what breed your dog is if it resembles one of the above dogs. Rottweilers, pit bulls and boerboels are prohibited in France. All dog breeds are welcome in Belgium and the Netherlands.