Looking to take your pet away with you? Follow our guide to make sure you’ve got everything sorted before and during your trip.
Can I take my pet on holiday with me?
Usually yes, but it depends on what kind of pet they are and where you’re going.
In the UK, you can travel more easily with dogs, cats and ferrets.
If you want to take another type of animal away with you, you’ll need to follow some different rules.
My pet is very young. Can I take them with me?
If your pet is under 12 weeks old, you probably won’t be able to take them on holiday with you.
This is because pets need to be vaccinated against rabies before you go, but the rabies vaccine they need to travel is only given to pets over 12 weeks old.
Should I take my pet on holiday with me?
Travelling and new locations can be stressful for pets. Cats and small animals can get especially anxious or panicked in cars, airports or planes. Think about whether you really need to take your pet on holiday and whether it’s good for them.
If your pet is old, ill or nervous, going on holiday might not be fair to them. Take a look at pet sitters or see if a family member can look after them instead.
If your pet has aggression issues, it’s important to think about the safety of taking them abroad.
What do I need to take my pet abroad?
There are quite a few things you need to sort before taking your pet away.
Research where you’re going
Some countries have more extreme climates that aren’t safe for dogs, while others have strict rules for taking pets into public places.
You should also look into vet clinics local to where you’re staying in case of an emergency.
Know how you’re getting there
Whether you’re travelling by car, train or plane, you need to have some things ready for your pet.
If you’re taking public transport, talk to the transport provider first to see if they allow pets onboard. They might have certain forms to fill out or rules you need to follow.
If you’re travelling in the car, don’t let it get too hot. Stop regularly to give your pet water and let them stretch their legs.
Flying with a pet
You need to use an approved airport and airline if your pet’s going to be flying.
Unless your pet is a service animal (for example, a guide dog), they’ll probably have to travel in the cargo hold, not in the cabin with you.
Make sure they’ve got blankets and toys so they’re nice and comfy in their carrier.
Get an EHC or AHC
You need either an animal health certificate (AHC) or an export health certificate (EHC) to take your pet abroad.
You’ll need to take it with you on your trip once it’s been signed. Print an extra copy in case the original gets lost.
AHCs
To take your pet to an EU country or Northern Ireland, you need to get an AHC from your vet. This proves that your pet meets the health standards of the country you’re going to.
Your vet will tell you what needs to be done for them to give you a signed AHC. That includes checking your pet's vaccination history and microchip registration to make sure everything's up to date.
Just so you know:
- you need to get your AHC within 10 days of heading off on your trip, as it won’t be valid if you get it before then
- you can get an AHC for re-entering the UK as early as six months before you need to come back
EHCs
For any animal you take to a non-EU country, you need an EHC instead. Like an AHC, it needs to be signed by a registered UK vet for it to be valid.
You can apply for an EHC on the GOV.UK website.
Make sure they’re vaccinated and microchipped
Pets travelling abroad need to be vaccinated against rabies and microchipped.
You can book an appointment with your vet for a rabies jab. Make sure it’s no earlier than three weeks before you go on holiday.
Your vet can also sort microchipping. If it’s already done, check with your vet that the contact details registered to the chip are up to date.
Give your dog tapeworm treatment
If you’re taking your dog abroad, they need to be treated for tapeworms before you go. Make sure they have this no more than five days before you go.
Cats and other animals don’t need this to go abroad.
Can I use a pet passport?
Pet passports are no longer valid for travelling with a pet. Instead, you need an animal health certificate (AHC) or an export health certificate (EHC).
The UK government is in talks to reintroduce pet passports, but we don’t know when this will be happening at the moment.
I’m travelling from Northern Ireland. Are the rules different?
Get in touch with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) if you’re taking your pet on holiday from Northern Ireland.
They’ll talk you through what you need to do.
What should I pack for my pet?
For the trip, your pet will need:
- enough food (or research places that sell your pet’s food brand abroad)
- toys to play with
- a bed
- a lead and harness
- any medication they take
- a portable water bowl for walks
What does my pet need during the journey?
It’s important to keep your pet as comfortable and calm as possible during the journey:
Give them something familiar: having familiar things like toys and blankets helps keep your pet calm.
Give them enough room: pets can find small spaces very stressful, so make sure their carrier is spacious enough for them. They at least need to be able to sit up and turn around in it.
Caring for your pet on holiday
You’re finally at your destination, so what now?
Give them time to adjust: bring them to your accommodation and let them get used to things and rest – don't forget to set their bed out so they can snooze!
Put out food and water: they’re probably hungry or thirsty, so make sure they’ve got access to food and drink.
Spend time with them: have some cuddles and downtime with them to help relax them.
Make sure your accommodation stays cool: pets can struggle in hot weather, so keep your accommodation breezy and offer them plenty of shade.
Going on holiday without your pet
If you choose to leave your furry friend at home, you’ve got a few options:
- Have a friend or relative look after your pet (either in their home or yours)
- Hire a pet sitter
- Take them to a kennel or cattery
Make sure you sort out your pet’s care before you book your trip.
Preparing for your pet’s care while you’re on holiday
Before you head off on your trip, there are a few things you need to organise.
If your pet is being looked after by a friend, relative or sitter
Make sure you:
- give them a schedule of your pet’s feeding times and amounts
- remind them of any routines like walks and going to the toilet
- leave a number for your local and emergency vet
- give them instructions about any medicines your pet takes
If your dog’s staying at home while being cared for, read our guide on dog-proofing to keep them (and your home!) safe.
If your pet is going to a kennel or cattery
Don’t forget to:
- bring your pet’s food
- give the staff your pet’s medical history
- bring any medication they need to take with instructions
- leave your contact details
Check out our guide about pet separation anxiety if you’re worried about leaving them while on holiday.
Is my pet covered while they’re abroad?
It depends on what kind of pet insurance you have.
Our pet insurance covers emergency medical treatment abroad for your pet, as long as the trip lasted 30 days or less. How much you can claim for depends on your vet fee limit, which you can find in your policy book.
We’ll also cover you if you have to cancel your trip because your pet’s become urgently unwell or injured. We offer a level of cover for this on both our Time Limited and Lifetime policies.
Don’t forget that limits and exclusions always apply, so check your policy book to see what you’re covered for.
