Holidays with your dog: How to do it right

More and more people are taking their dogs with them on holiday, often abroad. Travelling with your four-legged friend is a challenge. Everything you need to know, including an ADAC checklist.

Many countries have specific entry requirements for dogs
An EU pet passport is required for travel within the EU
Dogs must be properly secured when driving

Whether to the south or north, by private car or plane, to a hotel, a holiday apartment or to a campsite: a holiday with a dog must be well organised.

Many factors play a role, first and foremost, of course, the chosen destination and here the distance, the climate and even veterinarians on site. So the first question is: Where do you want to go?

Holidays with your dog: The right destination

The regulations of some countries such as Norway, Great Britain, Finland or Turkey are so extensive that a spontaneous short trip with a dog is not possible at all. And if the four-legged friend belongs to one of the breeds for which there are particularly strict regulations, this also limits the choice of holiday destination.

The easiest way to spend a holiday with your dog is in your own country. Pet-friendly accommodations or Campsites from the Alps to the North Sea and Baltic Sea. The same goes for walking routes for dogs and beautiful dog beaches.

However, you should definitely clarify in advance whether dogs are allowed in the apartment. In the worst case, you can otherwise find yourself in front of closed doors at your holiday destination. In the meantime, there are also more and more youth hostels that allow dogs - usually for an extra charge and with proof of valid dog liability insurance and rabies vaccination.

What some dog owners don't know: In most countries bordering the Mediterranean, but also on the North Sea and Baltic Sea, dogs are not allowed during the high season, at least on the beaches that are heavily frequented by tourists. However, the holiday resorts often offer special dog sections, and the same applies to many bathing lakes.

City trips with dogs are less suitable. In museums and many other attractions, restaurants, souvenir shops and even some parks, Bello and Co. are unwanted.

Mountain tours are popular with humans and dogs. Tip: Especially on tours lasting several days, ask the hut operators whether dogs are welcome.

Most European countries, such as the Netherlands, Norway, France, Italy, Austria, Spain or Denmark, are well adapted to the needs of holidaymakers with dogs.

Hot holiday regions with dogs

Because heat can be life-threatening for dogs, masters and mistresses should find out about the local temperatures before going on holiday, veterinarians recommend. Even from 25 degrees Celsius it can become problematic for some dog breeds.

Heat is especially dangerous for dog breeds such as Boxers, English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, and Pugs. Breeds such as Chow Chow, Leonberger, Huskies, Bernese Mountain Dogs and Saint Bernards also suffer greatly from this.

Walks in the midday heat and romping around can be dangerous for all dogs in high temperatures, they should definitely stay in the shade. And: It must be ensured that sufficient water is always available.

How do you know if the dog is overheated? Signs include:

increased salivation and heavy panting
Unrest
reddened mucous membranes

There are now many travel providers who have special holiday offers for dog owners at home and abroad. For example, cycling or hiking tours, river cruises, houseboat holidays with dogs and much more can be booked.

Not without the EU pet passport

For destinations within the EU, both the entry requirements of the holiday destination and those of the countries of transit must be observed. As a rule, the EU pet passport is sufficient. It is issued by the veterinarian and contains, among other things, information about rabies vaccination protection and the registration of the animal by microchip (from the year of birth 2012) or tattoo.

The vet should be consulted weeks before the start of the holiday in order to have enough time for any necessary vaccinations – the rabies vaccination protection, for example, only takes effect after 21 days.

If you are travelling to a non-EU country, you should be aware of the conditions for re-entering the EU. Anyone who wants to return to the EU from certain countries must provide antibody proof for rabies upon entry. In general, non-EU countries have issued their own entry regulations, which travelers should always inform themselves about before starting their vacation. When travelling outside the EU, you should check with the respective embassy of the country you are travelling to see whether special regulations apply to the entry of animals.

By the way: You should also have your liability insurance number handy when travelling. In this case, it must be clarified in advance whether the dog is also insured abroad.

Before the trip to the vet

Before traveling abroad, pet owners should consult their veterinarian to find out about dangerous Mediterranean diseases such as leishmaniasis, babesiosis, ehrlichiosis and heartworms. Against the Leishmaniasis there are vaccines, but they do not offer 100% protection. They are therefore neither recommended nor mandatory by default. The vaccination requires some lead time because the dog must first test negative for leishmaniasis and three vaccinations within 10 weeks are required. Prophylaxis against ticks, sensible mosquito repellent and possible deworming should also be discussed with the veterinarian before the trip.

For planning, it is also worth taking a look at the interactive map of Europe, which shows the necessary measures to protect against parasites.

More information at your office

ADAC members receive the leaflet "Travelling abroad with a dog or cat" with the entry requirements for 36 holiday countries free of charge at the offices.

You can also check the entry requirements for many common travel countries online at the ADAC: Simply enter the corresponding country under "My destination" and click on "Entry, customs and residence".

This belongs in the dog first-aid kit

Even on vacation, a dog can get health problems. A first-aid kit for the dog should always be with you. The following items should definitely be included:

Bandages, plasters, scissors, tweezers, neck collar if necessary (to prevent the dog from scratching a wound)
Iodine solution for disinfection
Tick tweezers or card, flea comb
Eye Wash Solution
Wound and healing ointment
Fecal and urine sample bags
Disposable gloves
Clinical thermometer
Sun protection
Medication that your dog usually needs (after veterinary consultation)
Disposable syringe (without needle) to be able to administer medication if necessary, also well suited to rinse the eyes in case of an emergency
Medication after consultation with veterinarians, which may be needed especially when traveling (e.g. travel tablets, diarrhea, sedatives)

Tip: If you are travelling with a dog that already had serious pre-existing conditions, you should find out in advance about veterinarians or veterinary clinics near the holiday destination. The tourism associations often have the contact details of German-speaking doctors.

Always with you: leash and muzzle

glücklicher Hund am Strand — Dog beaches: There are many Palo_ok on the North Sea and Baltic Sea, but few© in southern Europe.

In many countries, apart from the respective entry requirements, there are also local restrictions. Leashes are often compulsory, for example in Italy and Spain and also in Denmark when walking in the woods.

In Spain, dogs are not allowed in restaurants, and in Italy, too, four-legged friends are unwelcome in restaurants and cafés. In Portugal, dogs are not allowed on buses and trams. In addition to the leash, a muzzle is also mandatory in many places (e.g. in Italian and Austrian cable cars). Detailed information is available on site at the respective tourist information offices.

Car trips with a dog

The majority of dog owners prefer their own car for their journey. The advantage: You are flexible in terms of time and can take breaks if necessary. Depending on the dog, a break should be planned at least every two to three hours, during which the four-legged companion can drink and eat and get exercise.

The four-legged friend should be secured in the car by means of a transport box, divider or belt in order to avoid damage to the animal or the occupants and also an imminent fine.

It is most comfortable for the dog to drive in the evening and at night in summer to avoid heat. Effective sun and heat protection in the car includes, for example, UV films, sun protection visors or window blinds. And under no circumstances should you leave your four-legged friend alone in the car. Even 15 minutes in the car at temperatures around 40 degrees are deadly for dogs. Draughts are also not good for the animal - especially not driving with the window open, the muzzle in the wind. The result can be eye inflammation

If your dog does not tolerate driving so well, you should find out from the vet about prophylaxis measures against motion sickness before the trip. It is recommended not to feed sensitive animals during the journey.

Car rides should always be trained beforehand. The dog must be used to it.

"Dog cars": The best vehicles for dog owners

Going on holiday without traffic jams: the right planning

Especially during the summer holidays, the motorways on the important travel routes are overcrowded, long traffic jams and waiting times are unavoidable. If you want to start your holidays as quickly and stress-free as possible, you should plan correctly and in good time.

The itinerary and date of travel are of great importance. Suitable days of the week to set off are Monday and Tuesday. Wednesday and Thursday, on the other hand, are particularly congested, because rush hour traffic also increases on these days. It gets tight on the travel routes during the holiday season, especially on Friday afternoons and Saturdays. These two days are often used for the start of the holiday. This also applies to the return journey. In addition: avoid the times in rush hour traffic in the morning and evening as much as possible.

If you start your holidays at the weekend, you should consider driving at night. Of course, only if you are really fit.

Before departure (and also on the return journey), you should find out about the construction site and traffic jam situation on the route and possible alternatives. Rest breaks are also part of a relaxed trip to the holidays. Especially if you have children on board, you should take a break every 90 minutes if possible. It is best to head for motorway service areas with well-equipped children's playgrounds or play corners where the little ones can let off steam.

In the rental car and on the ferry

In principle, pets are allowed in the rental car. However, this must be indicated at the time of booking. The landlord may charge a fee for any contamination.

If you want totake your pet with you on the ferry, you should inform yourself in advance about the provider's transport regulations. There are special features regarding size and weight. In some cases, a muzzle is mandatory. The booking is sometimes cumbersome and should be made in good time.