![Travelling with your dog by Ferry [i_509] helpful advice on travelling with your dog by Ferry](http://www.dog-strollers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Travelling-with-your-dog-by-Ferry.jpg)
Taking your dog on holiday with you has so many benefits. You don’t have to worry about leaving them behind and them getting stressed as they have to settle with strangers or new surroundings. Dogs get very stressed when left at boarding kennels and the cost of that alone can be very expensive. Taking your dog on your family holiday enriches your family activities and also gives you some great memories.
But there are some aspects of the holiday that you will have to work out and consider well before you travel. You can’t just take your dog with you without doing your homework beforehand. Not only will you have to find dog friendly accommodation but you will have to get your dog checked out by a vet especially if you are travelling abroad.
Take a look at the video below, produced by Brittany Ferries, on travelling with your dog on board one of their ferries.
Then there is the travelling aspect of the trip. Is your dog up to travelling for hours in a car, train or ferry? Here are some helpful advice if you plan on travelling with your dog using a ferry company. These are the basic rules and regulations, but it’s best to contact your ferry company also to check out their Pet Travel Policy.
Before you travel on the Ferry
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Plan ONE month beforeIf you are travelling from the UK allow at least ONE month before travel to start the PETS travel scheme process. The Pet Travel Scheme is set up by DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) and it is a system set up so that pets can be taken abroad and also enter the UK as long as they meet a set of rules and regulations. Check out the Pet Travel Scheme on the DEFRA website.
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New ID TagRemember to get a new ID tag made for your dog. It will have to include any contact number with any international dialling codes and any holiday address. This way if your dog gets loose or lost they can hopefully be returned to you quickly.
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Consider your pets needsTravelling within the UK is fine with your dog, but consider their needs if you plan to travel abroad and any climate change. A change in surrounding and climate may stress out your dog. The travelling may also be a stressful time for them. Are they up to it?
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Dog friendly locationsCheck out that your holiday destination will allow dogs. Many beaches may be out of bounds for dogs especially in the summer months. Also check out that your rented accommodation or guest houses are dog friendly.
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Dog friendly sightseeingThe same goes for any sightseeing trips. Make sure your holiday activities include your dog. You will not be able to leave them unattended in your accommodation or outside a tourist attraction. And never leave them locked up in a car as the heat inside can be fatal. If your holiday is going to include museums and theme parks, taking your dog on holiday will not be a good idea.
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Dog SafetyAlso do your research into the destination and whether it will be safe for your dog. There may be snakes or other critters which may pose a danger to your dog. Also check out whether there are hunting seasons in your holiday area, which would also be a danger to your dog if they got loose.
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Veterinary HelpAlways make sure that there is some veterinary help or a vets practice in the area that you are staying in. Your dog will need to be accessible to pet treatment if they should need it.
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See your own vet before you travelIf you are planning to travel abroad with your dog, you will need to consult your vet well before you travel. They will advise you of any boosters or vaccinations needed. These may differ depending on where you are travelling to and will also need to be administered in the time frames required. Some vaccinations need to be done 21 days before travel and some may need longer. One day late and you won’t be able to travel.
Ask your vet about possible diseases or ticks that your dog may be in danger of catching while abroad. Your dog may need to some extra flea treatment, but your vet will advise you of this. Your dog will also need treatment for parasites (tapeworm) before you travel. This treatment should be done no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before your arrival back in the UK. -
Pet PassportIf travelling abroad from The UK an EU pet passport will be needed. Always check that the pet passport documentation is signed and dated correctly by your vet. You will also need to get this documentation done well in advance of the trip. See our useful article on Five steps on how to get an EU Pet Passport
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Keep to the rules and regulationsCheck out all the rules and regulations needed when travelling abroad with your dog. Make sure you have all the necessary documents printed out and take them with you. These will include any veterinary papers, DEFRA Pet Scheme Guidelines and any guidelines provided by the ferry company.
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MuzzleSome ferry companies now ask you to buy a compulsory muzzle for your dog. If dogs are stressed or need to be attended by any ferry staff a muzzle will stop any nervous dog lashing out on staff.
Preparing for the ferry trip with your dog
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Travel at the right timeAvoid travelling with your dog during the hottest part of the day. Dogs will travel better in the early morning or late at night. The temperatures are low at these times and will be beneficial to your dog during the ferry trip.
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Pet stroller or pet carrierSome travel companies will only allow your dog on board if they are in a suitable pet carrier or stroller. Some pets are not allowed in the public spaces and may be required to be left in the car unattended. If this is the case they will need a travel carrier with enough room for them to move around in.
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Supply of food and waterThey will also need a good water supply left for them during the trip. You can buy non spill pet bowls which enables them to eat or drink during the crossing. Avoid over feeding them and don’t give them too much water to drink before you travel.
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Exercise them beforehandThey will also need a good session of exercise before you travel. They may be cooped up unattended for a considerable amount time during the ferry trip. Make sure they have enough time to do their toilet business before you board the ferry. If you do have long journey a good tip is to leave them an item of your clothing that smells of you. They may get some comfort from that if you are not there.
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Poop CleaningMake sure you have a supply of poop bags and wipes with you when travelling. Dogs will not warn you if they need to poop so always be prepared for that. Wipes are good to clean up and sanitise after your dog. Dogs may also suffer from motion sickness on board the ferry and that will need to be cleaned up by you also.
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Car SafetyIf your dog has to stay within the car during the ferry trip make sure they have enough space, food and water. Also provide them with some toys so they don’t get bored. Keep your car window slightly open so that airflow can circulate within the car to avoid them overheating.
Upon arrival at your destination
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Exercise your dogLook for the nearest space or park that your dog can have a run around. Bear in mind they have been cooped up for hours and will need to stretch their legs and do any toilet business. Ask ferry officials where the nearest dog friendly space is if you are unsure. If they do happen to do any mess pick it up and bin it appropriately.
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Check out the local Veterinary PracticeCheck up with the local vet practice. make a note of it’s opening and closing times and any contact numbers. It will be easier to organise a vet appointment before you travel back.
Returning back to the UK
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Checking in at the portMost all ports will ask you to get out of your car to check you and your pet in. This can take a bit of time and is an upheaval especially if you have small children with you. Make sure your pet has been exercised well and given enough time to do their toilet business before checking in at the ferry port.
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Vet’s appointmentAs advised in our ‘upon arrival’ section, check the opening hours of the local vet practice. Some practices will be closed weekends and Mondays. You must remember this when complying to the tapeworm treatment for your dog. Remember it’s no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before your arrival back in the UK. Plan ahead of time and make the necessary appointment with your vet, that way you can relax and enjoy the holiday. Don’t organise this at the last minute!
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Is there a vet nearby?Actually make sure that there is a vet in the area before you plan your trip. They need to be professional and reliable.
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Check for Bank HolidaysAlways check out any local festivals or bank holidays that may be happening in the area that you are staying in. Again, we advise to make the appropriate vet appointment when you arrive and make it well in advance of you returning home. Like any vet practice, they may run out of time slots and will not be able to see you. Any mishap, lack of paperwork or disorganised pet treatment will only ensure that your dog will be put into quarantine when you arrive in the UK.
It’s always a good idea to check with the appropriate ferry company and see what their pet policy is. Not all companies operate in the same way. Some ferry companies will not allow pets in the passenger areas (with the exception of guide dogs), so your pet may have to placed in a carrier and placed within your car. Passengers may not even be able to check up on their cars or pets throughout the trip, so check all this out carefully before you travel.
If you are planning a very long ferry trip, your pet may not be allowed to be placed inside your car, but may have to travel within a container.
Always make sure that the ferry officials know that you have a pet inside a pet carrier inside your car. Listen to any instructions that they give you and follow them to the letter. And make sure that you have fulfilled all the legal requirements if your journey takes you out of the UK.