“Should We Bring Our Dog on Vacation Abroad?”

Bringing Dogs on Vacation -- Is It a Good Idea?

Hi PetRelocation,

My husband and I would like to travel abroad on vacation for two weeks to four months with our Lakeland Terrier and wonder the best source of information on how to travel with your dog.

Can we take him on the plane with us under certain weight restrictions for an international flight? Do animals get passports?

Thanks,

Denise

Hi Denise,

Sure, we'd be happy to help with some information. For general country requirement details, take a look at our resources page or check out the USDA website (assuming you're starting in the United States). To drill down further, it's typically a good idea to contact the Ministry of Agriculture of the country you're interested in for the most up-to-date info about pet import rules there.

Here are a few answers to frequently asked pet travel questions that may help shed light on the pet travel process, as well. In summary, we recommend choosing a pet-friendly airline, asking your vet to do a health check before you go, and teaching your dog to be as comfortable as possible in the travel crate through crate acclimation.

It sounds like your dog may be too large to fly in the cabin with you (typically only small dogs have this choice), so this trip may entail cargo travel. This is a safe option when you choose a pet-friendly carrier like KLM, Lufthansa or British Airways, but it can also be expensive and taxing for your dog to experience multiple times in a short period.

Along with the paperwork and vet visits, you may find that the logistics and expense of bringing your dog with you as you travel to several different places may be more complicated than you first imagined. It definitely makes sense to bring pets along on a permanent move, but often people find that vacationing with a pet just doesn't make sense for them. It might be better to leave your dog with a trusted sitter, instead.

It's up to you, of course, and hopefully the suggestions and links above will help you find your way to the right decision for you and your dog. Let us know if you have more questions, and good luck!

Pet Transport Question Details:

Name: Denise
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Lakeland Terrier
From: (Traveling internationally in general)
To: (Traveling internationally in general)