Bring Your Dog on Holiday! A Vet's Guide to Checking In With Your Four-Legged Friend Smoothly and Safely

Key Takeaways in 1 Minute

• Before booking, honestly assess whether "the trip is really right for your dog" based on their age, health, and temperament.
• See your vet at least 1 month ahead to check vaccinations, flea/tick and worming treatments, and travel-sickness medication.
• In-car safety is the heart of it — use a secured seatbelt harness or crate, break every 2–3 hours, and never leave your dog in a car on a hot day.
• For international travel, the paperwork is complex (microchip, rabies vaccine, health certificate) — start 1–3 months in advance.
• Keep your dog's routine as intact as possible — food, sleep times, and familiar-smelling items — to reduce stress.

When a long holiday rolls around, leaving your little heart-healer at home is tough, isn't it? "Pet-friendly travel," bringing your dog along on the trip, has become hugely popular among pet parents these days. But I want to be candid: taking your dog away isn't just "load them in the car and go." There are real health and safety matters to plan for in advance. So today I've put together a vet's checklist, drawing on animal-welfare organizations and international travel authorities, for you.

1. The First Question: Does Your Dog Actually "Want" to Come?

Before you excitedly book a stay, I'd like everyone to pause and think. Because while we enjoy a change of scenery, some dogs don't feel the same way. Many dogs find changes to their routine, environment, and long journeys stressful. Canine Partners recommends weighing these factors before deciding (Canine Partners).

• Age and health: Senior dogs, puppies with incomplete vaccinations, or dogs with existing conditions tend to struggle more with stress and changing climates.
• Temperament and confidence: Is your dog afraid of strangers or new places? Do they get carsick easily? If your dog is highly anxious, forcing the trip may be more torment than fun.
• Weather at the destination: Especially for flat-faced breeds prone to heatstroke — take extra care if the destination is very hot.
• Your activity plans: Can your dog join what you've planned, or will they be left alone in a room for long stretches?

I'll say it plainly: for dogs that rely heavily on routine, staying home with someone they trust may be a better "gift" than being taken on holiday. Don't feel guilty if you choose that path.

2. Prepare Their Health: Start at Least 1 Month Ahead

Once you've decided to bring them, the key step is health preparation. The RSPCA recommends seeing your vet at least 1 month before travel to confirm your dog is fit enough, and to make sure vaccinations, flea/tick, and worming treatments are up to date (RSPCA).

• Health check and vaccinations: keep them complete on schedule, and if you're planning an adventurous trip, make sure your dog is fit enough. Read more in the dog vaccination guide.
• Parasite prevention: keep flea/tick and worming treatments current, especially for natural areas. See guidance in parasite prevention in dogs.
• Travel-sickness medication: if your dog has a history of vomiting or drooling in the car, ask your vet about medication ahead of time — never give them human medicine on your own.
• Regular medication: prepare enough for the whole trip, plus 2–3 extra days.

Regular preventive health checks are the foundation. Read more in preventive medicine for dogs.

3. Safety During the Journey (The Most Important Part)

Whichever way you travel, safety always comes first — especially by car, the most common mode.

🚗 Travelling by Car

• Always secure your dog: never let them roam free in the car or sit on the driver's lap. Use a secured crate or a dog seatbelt harness to prevent injury during sudden braking. Both the RSPCA and Canine Partners stress this point.
• Feed no sooner than 2 hours before departure: the RSPCA advises that a dog travelling "without a full stomach" travels more comfortably and is less likely to get carsick.
• Break every 2–3 hours: so your dog can stretch, toilet, and drink. When you open the door, watch that they don't bolt.
• Be careful about heads out the window: even though dogs love it, dust, grit, or insects can get in their eyes and cause irritation, plus there's a risk of falling out.

⚠️ A rule you must never break: never leave your dog alone in a car parked in the sun, even with the windows cracked. The temperature inside can soar and cause fatal heatstroke within minutes. The RSPCA warns this is a preventable cause of death that recurs every year. Read more in heat stroke in dogs.

For flat-faced breeds (Pugs, Bulldogs, Shih Tzus), take extra care with heat and breathing during the journey. Read more in Brachycephalic Syndrome.

✈️ If You Must Travel by Air

I want us to be clear: ordinary dogs (those that aren't registered assistance dogs) must travel in the cargo hold, not the cabin. Both the RSPCA and Canine Partners agree this is a very stressful experience for dogs. If you can avoid it, choose destinations reachable by car, ferry, or train, and always contact the airline about their pet-travel policy in advance.

4. Crossing Borders: More Complex Paperwork Than You'd Think

If you plan to fly your dog abroad, the paperwork gets far more complex. Every country has different rules, so I recommend starting at least 1–3 months in advance.

• Microchip: mandatory in many countries and greatly increases the chance of reuniting with a lost dog. Canine Partners stresses confirming the chip still scans and that your contact details are current, because it will be scanned at border control.
• Rabies vaccine: the RSPCA notes that if your dog has never been vaccinated or the vaccine has lapsed, it must be given at least 21 days before travel, and your dog must be at least 12 weeks old.
• Health / Animal Health Certificate: the RSPCA states it must be used within 10 days of being issued.
• Tapeworm treatment: some countries require it within 1–5 days before entry (for example, returning to the UK).

For entry into the United States: the CDC is the primary authority regulating dog imports. Dogs vaccinated in the U.S. that have travelled to a high-risk rabies country within the past 6 months must have a "Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination" form, which must be submitted by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before the dog leaves (USDA APHIS). Because these rules change often, always check the latest information from official sources before you travel.

5. Packing List: Pack a Bag for Your Dog

To make the trip as smooth as bringing home along, don't forget to pack your dog's bag using this checklist.

6. Etiquette and Checking Into Pet-Friendly Stays

• Read the accommodation's rules carefully: some limit weight, charge a pet fee, or ban dogs from beds/pools — and always let them know in advance you're bringing your dog.
• Don't leave your dog alone in the room: many dogs will bark, howl, or destroy things out of panic in an unfamiliar place. Canine Partners recommends planning your trip so your dog isn't left alone somewhere unfamiliar.
• Find a vet near your stay in advance: all three organizations stress noting the phone number and location of an animal hospital (including emergency/out-of-hours services) in case of urgency.
• Keep the routine as intact as possible: similar meal, walk, and sleep times help your dog feel secure, and give them time to rest in a quiet spot.

The Vet's Final Note 

Taking your dog on holiday is about creating special memories together. But the most important thing isn't ticking off every check-in spot — it's "your dog's comfort and safety." If we plan carefully, mind the small details, and are honest with ourselves about whether our dog is truly ready, that trip will surely become a happy memory for both of you.

Medical disclaimer: This article is general guidance. Every dog's readiness differs; consult a veterinarian before planning travel, especially for senior dogs, those with existing conditions, or flat-faced breeds, and always check the latest pet-import rules from the official authorities of your destination country.

Want to get your dog's health ready before you travel? Reach out to me and the Geneus Pet team anytime. 

References

1. Travel With a Pet (Pet Travel Requirements). USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). aphis.usda.gov
2. Taking Your Pet on Holiday. RSPCA. rspca.org.uk
3. Cartwright L. Taking Your Dog on Holiday: What to Consider Before You Travel. Canine Partners. 2026. caninepartners.org.uk