The compact PERRO checklist for a relaxed journey
Travelling with a dog
Travelling with a dog requires good preparation so that the holiday starts in a relaxed manner for both humans and animals. Whether it's a short car journey, a longer holiday or a holiday with your dog by the sea - safety, familiar routines and the right equipment help to avoid stress. Safe transport solutions, sufficient water, rest breaks and products that support the dog while travelling are particularly important. If you plan to travel regularly by car with your dog, you should get your dog used to travelling early on and always transport it safely.
Making the right preparations for travelling with a dog is half the battle
Being well prepared minimises stress for you and your dog:
- Check the legal entry requirements of the holiday destination
- Muzzle requirement: Clarify in advance where you are allowed to take dogs, whether there is a muzzle requirement and whether so-called "listed dogs" are allowed to enter the country at all. Are you new to muzzling your dog? Our guide will show you how to find the right muzzle.
- Season: Midsummer and high temperatures are stressful for most dogs. The low season of spring or autumn is usually very suitable for holidays with your dog.
- Means of transport: The car is the first choice for most people, as it is the most flexible way of travelling and the easiest way to adapt your schedule to your dog.
- Dog-friendly accommodation: Are dogs allowed in your accommodation or does it even offer practical and dog-friendly facilities? It is worth checking in advance whether and what facilities are available.
Important points before travelling
Before travelling, you should check whether your dog is in good health. Important points before travelling:
- Vet check before long journeys
- Check vaccination status
- Carry an EU pet passport
- Check the entry requirements of the holiday destination
- Make a note of the address of a local vet
- Plan travelling times outside of extreme heat if possible
Veterinary advice: Dogs with circulatory problems, older dogs or sensitive animals often react more strongly to heat and stress when travelling. Feeding also plays a role, so it is better to feed only small amounts immediately before departure.
Basic travel equipment from PERRO
- Clever foldable design – can be stowed away to save space in a bag, rucksack or travel bag
- Ready to use straight away – unfolds quickly for food or water on the go
- Food-grade silicone – a safe and flexible choice of material for everyday use
- Stable base – practical and comfortable to use even when out and about
- Easy to care for in everyday use – quick to clean and dishwasher-safe
- Ideal for travel & outings – a practical solution for active dog owners
- Cosy retreat - round cut for a natural sleeping position
- Warming & protective - down-like filling + reflective foil
- Particularly suitable for dogs with joint or muscle problems
- Practical side zip - makes getting in & out easier
- Waterproof, hard-wearing & low-noise thanks to
Houndtex® material - Sustainably produced - made from 80-100% recycled material
- 2-in-1 carrying option - can be used flexibly as a crossbody or bum bag
- Waterproof outer material - reliably protects contents in all weathers
- Many practical compartments - ideal for treats, mobile phone, keys and accessories
- Integrated plush blanket - perfect for breaks on the go, washable and can be stowed away to save space
- Expandable storage space - expansion pleat for more space when needed
- Integrated poo bag dispenser - hygienic and always to hand
- Dog and cat fleece blanket
- light & cosy
- 4 colours
- for at home and on the go
- Freshness clip for feed bags
- hygienic closure
- universally applicable
- made of sturdy plastic
- foldable travel bowl
- made of silicone
- 3 sizes
- sturdy polypropylene ring
- Can lids for food cans
- e.g. suitable for 400 & 410g cans
- food-safe & dishwasher-safe
- Polypropylene & rubber
- Water dispenser for on the go
- Bottle with integrated bowl
- flexible silicone
- drip-proof and space-saving
- robust feed container
- keeps the feed fresh and dry
- airtight lid
- Snap lock
- robust
- integrated feed scoop
- sturdy feed container
- airtight sealable feed container
- practical click closure
- 3 sizes
- with rubber seal
- ideal for dry food and flakes
Safe & stress-free travelling
Avoid stress when travelling
Please note: Not every dog is automatically relaxed when travelling. To take the stress out of the situation, the following measures can help in advance:
- Train car journeys before going on holiday
- sufficient exercise before departure
- don't rush when getting in the car
- take regular breaks
When Transporting dogs in the car the following applies: A dog should never travel unsecured.
At PERRO you will find safe solutions for your future car journeys and holidays, such as the Hurtta Travel Harness ECO car harness, which has been tested in official crash tests and can be connected directly to the seat belt. The dog can sit, lie down and turn round.
For larger dogs in the boot, the aluminium transport box offers a stable solution with a non-slip mat and a secure stand. The plastic Gulliver Deluxe 3 TOP FREE transport box is practical for small to medium-sized dogs , especially thanks to the additional top opening.
The car seat covers with integrated openings for safety harnesses are suitable for protecting the seats.
Travel checklist for holidays with a dog
A good packing list for your next holiday with your dog will make your trip much easier. We have created a checklist for you so that nothing is left at home:
- Usual dog food
- Travel bowl
- Water bottle & water bowl for travelling
- Leash & spare leash
- Collar or safety harness
- Dog blanket & dog bed
- Toys
- Treats
- Transport box
- Poo bag
- Muzzle (depending on holiday region)
- Grooming tools (brush, comb, curry comb,...)
- Depending on the holiday destination and planned activities: life jacket, towel, dog coat or jumper
- First aid kit
- If necessary: Medication
Foldable crates are suitable for longer holidays. They give the dog a familiar place to rest while travelling.
Practical tip: Address of the accommodation
It also makes sense to attach an additional dog tag with the address of the accommodation to the dog's collar during the holiday. If the dog gets lost, you can find the owners much more quickly.
Water toys & co. for dogs
- Throwing ring
- made of robust & tooth-friendly material
- floatable
- for throwing & tugging games
- non-toxic & odourless
- various sizes
- Highly absorbent - absorbs up to 7 times its own weight in water
- Quick drying - keeps the dog warm and prevents chilling after bathing
- Secure fit - with drawstring at the collar and Velcro fasteners for a perfect fit
- Antibacterial & odourless - ensures long-lasting freshness after every use
- Easy-care - machine washable at 30 °C and quick-drying in the air
- Available in 5 sizes - perfect for small to large dogs (XS-XL)
- Aerodynamic design - flies particularly far and ensures extensive movement
- Sustainable Seaflex™ material - 12% recycled marine plastic, 88% Zogoflex®
- Environmentally friendly tested - with Oceanworks® guarantee for origin and standards
- Gentle on teeth - hard-wearing yet gentle on teeth and mouth
- Floatable - perfect for fetch games in the water and on land
- Practical centre hole - makes it easier for dog and owner to pick up from the ground
- Versatile - ideal for retrieving games on land and in the water
- High bounce - gets your dog moving and provides action
- Textured surface with grooves - easy to catch, carry and hold
- Floatable - perfect for playing at the lake, river or in the pool
- Bright colours - highly visible at all times, even in bad weather
- Compatible with Chuckit! launchers - for extra-long throws and more fun
- Unpredictable jumping behaviour - provides extra fun and action
- Large grooves - make it easier to pick up from the ground and out of the water
- Floatable - ideal for playing on the beach, lake or pool
- Robust and durable - extremely bite-resistant for long-lasting play
- Tooth-friendly material - gentle on teeth and gums when playing fetch
- Safe and easy to clean - BPA-, phthalate- and latex-free and dishwasher-safe
- For long throws - provides your dog with more movement and exercise
- With ball included - immediately ready for the retrieving game
- Hands stay clean - ball can be picked up without bending down and touching it
- Fun to play together - strengthens the bond between you and your dog
- Easy to handle - easy to throw without much effort
- Robust and practical - ideal for play, training and leisure time
- Microfibre bathrobe
- 2-layer construction
- enormously absorbent
- adjustable
- Snack ball function - allows dry food and snacks to fall out one by one in a playful way
- Irregular shape - ensures unpredictable jumps and extra action when playing
- Floatable - also ideal for fetch games in the water
- Hollow design - encourages even calm dogs to be active
- Safe material - BPA and latex-free, non-toxic and robust for moderate chewers
- Easy to clean - hygienic to keep clean and dishwasher safe
- Unpredictable jumping behaviour - awakens the natural hunting and play instinct
- Can be filled - with treats, pastes or wet food for extra activity
- Can also be frozen - filled with wet food for extra-long playtime fun
- Floatable - perfect for playing in water
- Extremely robust - bite-resistant and durable for long-lasting chewing and playing
- Easy to clean - dishwasher safe and hygienic to clean
- robust design
- with and without squeaker
- includes different balls
- for fetching, throwing and playing
Documents for the dog abroad
Certain documents must always be carried.
Here is an overview of the most important documents for travelling.
| Document | Details |
| EU pet passport | Dogs require an EU pet passport when travelling abroad (in EU and non-EU countries). This can be obtained from your vet. |
| Rabies & titre determination | To be able to enter the country, the passport must contain a:
Other vaccinations that may be relevant for the holiday destination are also noted in the "blue passport". When travelling to some countries from the EU or entering the EU from certain third countries, a rabies titer test may be necessary. This requires a little more planning and lead time. Therefore, inform yourself in good time before travelling. You can find more information here |
| Various vaccinations / worming | Find out about the vaccination requirements in your holiday destination well in advance. For Great Britain, Ireland & Northern Ireland, Malta, Finland and Norway, a tapeworm treatment by the vet including entry in the pet passport is required. Five days to 24 hours before travelling at the latest. |
| Forms | In certain countries or for special circumstances, certain forms are required in addition to the EU pet passport, e.g. for animals under 12 weeks of age or with a rabies vaccination that is not yet valid. You can find more information here |
| Insurance | It makes sense to carry insurance documents with you, as you can react quickly in the event of a claim |
Holiday by the water with a dog
A holiday with your dog by the sea or lake is ideal if you pay attention to safety.
- Avoid direct midday sun.
- Shower your dog after bathing in salt water.
- Provide plenty of water to drink.
- Be aware of currents.
- Do not leave your dog swimming unattended.
For active dogs in the water, we recommend toys that float and remain easily visible. Cooling down after bathing also helps, especially on hot days.Heat is often the biggest burden when travelling. We have compiled a list of helpful products for you to cool your dog down while travelling:
- Cooling mats for dogs
- Drinking water in water bottles for travelling
- Shady areas / shade sails
- Cooling waistcoats for dogs
Our tip for hot days: Motivate dogs to drink! Not every dog drinks enough when travelling - especially when travelling, in the heat or in unfamiliar surroundings. However, this is when a good fluid intake is particularly important to avoid circulatory problems.Here's how you can help dogs that are lazy to drink:
- Offer water regularly in small portions
- use a familiar bowl
- Actively incorporate drinking breaks
- Cool the water slightly
Our tip: some PERRO bone broth into the water Bone broth can help to make water more flavourful and is readily accepted by many dogs. It is particularly suitable on warm days, when travelling or after long walks.
Dog in a hotel or holiday home
New environments can be unsettling for dogs at first. This will help your dog feel safe more quickly:
- take a familiar blanket with you
- create a fixed resting place
- maintain the usual feeding times
- Offer chew toys
A familiar blanket or crate significantly reduces stress. Keeping active dogs busy is also important to help them switch off in new surroundings.
First-aid kit for your dog
Even if you hope for the best - it is important to be well prepared for emergencies:
- Disinfectant
- Clinical thermometer (normal dog temperature: 38-39°C)
- Wound ointment or spray
- Tick forceps and tweezers
- Sunscreen
- Diarrhoea remedy e.g. charcoal tablets
- Electrolyte powder
- Mild ear cleaner
- Sterile saline solution for rinsing
- First aid kit (bandages, scissors, bandages, fixation plasters, etc.)
- Cool packs
- Remedy for travel sickness
- Emergency numbers of vets at the holiday destination
