28 Jun Guide For Travelling With a Dog

Travelling with dogs is one of the most challenging things for owners. Considering that dogs cannot be left alone for a long time; According to the advice of veterinarians, it is necessary to take them with you on a trip by fully familiarizing yourself with how to deal with dogs during the trip and carrying the necessary supplies they need. Before travelling with your dog, it is better to get a complete knowledge of the laws of the countries and provide the necessary documents for your dog. Also, according to the type of your trip, you should have complete information about the regulations for transporting them by various means. So, stay tuned in this article to get more information about the guidelines for travelling with a  dog.

Where should you travel?

When we decide to travel with dogs, we should consider this important point, whether the weather is suitable for our dog or not. For example, a Shih Tzu does not like going to Siberia in the winter, just as a Husky doesn’t like going to Dubai in the summer.  Although most dogs are very flexible, it is not worth it to bother our dog with bad weather for a short trip. So we have to choose a place to travel with dogs where they feel comfortable. Otherwise, we have to take the necessary supplies for our dog with us. 

Tip: When travelling with dogs, we must also consider their mental condition. Some dogs do not like or are afraid of car rides. To solve this problem, we should introduce the puppies to the car from the time they are young and ride the car together for a few minutes a day.

Necessary items for travelling with a dog

Before you travel, it is better to prepare a checklist of things, equipment, dog food, medicines, cleaning and care items needed for travelling with your dog; To have a comfortable and worry-free trip so your dog enjoys travelling with you and does not get into trouble, we will continue to provide a list of the most essential items needed for travelling with dogs:

Dog clothes

According to the seasonal conditions, prepare suitable clothes for your dog. Especially if you are going to travel in cold winter weather, wear thick clothes.

Dog food

Preparing dog food is one of the most necessary items needed before travelling, because you may not have access to pet shops and authorized dealers selling pet food while travelling. According to veterinarians, the food you need for your dog during the trip includes dry dog food, wet dog food (soup, canned and pureed), along with a food dish and enough water to quench thirst.

Dog collar

By using the collar, you can take care of your dog and control him. You can also write your name and contact number on the collar to help find your dog as soon as possible if he goes missing.

Dog travel box

A few days before the trip, prepare a travel box for your dog and try to guide him to go inside the box slowly so that he does not get stressed. You can also gently put your dog in the box when you go out and get him used to staying in the box. If you put your dog in the box all of a sudden, he will be afraid and anxious. 

Dog poop bag

To observe the hygiene tips during the trip, it is necessary to carry a bag of dog faeces with you.

Dog grooming supplies

Due to the movement of dogs during the trip and the possibility of their body getting dirty, it is necessary to bring cleaning equipment such as shampoo, conditioner, nail clipper, towel, dog brush and a hair dryer to dry the hair and bathe your dog.

Dog toys

It is possible that your dog will get bored and uncomfortable during the trip due to moving and changing his living place, so it is recommended to bring his favourite toys to entertain your pet and play with him.

Dog medicine and supplements

Before travelling, it is better to consult a veterinarian to prepare the necessary medicines and strengthening supplements.

Dog treats

It is very important to maintain the dog’s diet during the trip. So, it is better to use dog food that has been marketed by different brands, so that your dog can be under your control during the trip and follow your wishes. Of course, by training your dog, you can be very comfortable on the trip. 

Essential tips for travelling with a dog

Observing the necessary points before travelling with dogs can reduce your anxiety during the trip and also create a good and memorable feeling for your pet during the trip. The most important thing you should do before travelling is to go to the vet and do an examination and check-up to ensure your dog’s health because otherwise your dog’s illness may worsen during the trip and cause irreparable problems and complications. Veterinarians recommend that you avoid taking your dog on a trip if they are sick or going through special conditions such as pregnancy or breastfeeding. In the following, we refer to the most important points before travelling with dogs:

• If travelling by plane, your dog shouldn’t eat for about 4 to 6 hours before the trip and drink a little water if he is thirsty.
• Before travelling, go to the veterinary clinic and get a health certificate and medical certificate for your dog.
• Try to practice the necessary training with your dog before the trip so that he gets used to the conditions of travel and storage in the travel box.
• Avoid giving your dog a sedative as it may not be compatible with your dog’s digestive system and may cause nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting.
• Before travelling, prepare a first aid box and put the necessary supplies such as essential medicines, dressings, etc. inside it so that you can use them in case of unforeseen problems.
• It is necessary to pay special attention to your dog during the trip and prevent him from getting lost. Also, as a precaution, you can get a collar and put your contact number on it.
• During the trip, use special food for your dog, because otherwise, your dog may have digestive problems by consuming substances that are incompatible with his body’s metabolism.
• If you plan to travel by car, try to drive more calmly and avoid sudden braking and high speed so that your dog does not get scared and anxious.

Airline travel rules for dogs

Before travelling by plane, you must be fully aware of the airlines’ rules, the regulations of the destination country and the conditions of international travel and follow them. Because some airlines may not allow pets to be carried inside the plane cabin, and you will have to put your dog in the travel box and refer to the baggage area. Considering that there are special rules for transporting animals, you must prepare the necessary documents and supplies for transporting dogs according to the announcement of the airline company. It is worth noting that some countries do not allow dogs to enter the plane and you must carry your pet through cargo. For international flights, you need the following items:

• Birth certificate or passport
• Travel box
• Microchip
• Health certificate
• Certificate of vaccination
• Freight payment slip
• Completing the special form for transporting living organisms
• Written confirmation of airport veterinary quarantine

Land travel rules for dogs

You must provide a healthy and vaccination certificate for the dog to travel by train. Using a private car is the best option for travelling with a dog, and you can provide more comfort and relaxation for your dog and stop anywhere you want to feed or water your dog. On land trips with dogs, it is necessary to have the following items with you:

• Healthy water
• Dry dog food
• Wet dog food
• Supplements and treats
• Travel box
• Poop bag

Other country regulations for dog travel

If you plan to travel to another country; It is necessary to get complete information about the rules of carrying dogs in the destination country before travelling through airline agencies. For example, some countries such as Australia require the quarantine of pets before entering their country, so you must follow the rules for transporting animals. In the destination country, prepare all the required documents and carry them with you during your trip. An important point that you should pay attention to when travelling abroad is choosing a place of accommodation or a hotel where dogs are allowed, and be sure to pay special attention to it before booking a place to stay.

To wrap up

Travelling with a dog may bring many challenges for you, but you can have a worry-free trip by preparing a checklist of essential items needed for the trip and preparing all the necessary medical documents and certificates. You should have complete information about the conditions of transporting a dog and the place of residence, the parks of the destination country, so as not to get into trouble. To have a healthy and lively dog, you must pay attention to nutrition, activity, health, grooming, etc. You can prevent the disease and have a healthy dog in this case. You can count on the specialized team of Mishka Grooming in all these steps. Our experienced and precise groomers have carefully and accurately groomed your dogs so they count the moments for the next session.