Is your holiday just round the corner and is your dog going too? If so, this means that you’ll have to pack Fido’s suitcase as well as your own. The pet experts of the Fressnapf chain of specialist shops provide tips on what you ought to pack and what you must pack.

Documents:
If you are travelling to another European country, you must take the EU pet passport with you and this must contain proof of a valid rabies vaccination. This passport has been compulsory for travel within the EU since 2004. Vets are authorised to issue the pet passport. To be on the safe side, you also ought to take the yellow vaccination certificate that was widely used in the past and which is still valid within Germany. Unfortunately, the official requirements are by no means standardized in the various countries. Great Britain, Sweden, Ireland and Malta demand additional tests, for example a blood test and treatment against tapeworms and ticks. Please ask which documents you require for entering the country or for transit.

Accessories:
In addition to your dog’s lead you should also take a collar on which your holiday and home address are written. A water bottle and a water bowl also belong in your dog’s luggage. Whether you need to take a muzzle with you depends on the requirements of the country you are holidaying in. In Austria, for example, it is compulsory for dogs to wear a muzzle. And of course you must not forget the dog basket and dog blanket. The blanket should not be washed beforehand because the familiar smell will make it easier for your dog to feel at home on his travels. If you are travelling by plane and your dog is travelling in the air-conditioned freight room, you normally need to provide a transport box yourself - and this needs to meet certain criteria. Please note the requirements specified by your airline.

Health:
Ask your vet to put together a first-aid kit for your dog. He will take into account the age, breed, weight and condition of your dog. Also ask your doctor for tablets against travel sickness and skin parasites as well as medication to stop diarrhoea.

Food:
It is best to take a large supply of food with you that your dog is familiar with. After all, a change in location and climate mean enough stress for your precious pet. This is why he should at least have familiar food. It is best to take dried food with you if this is what your dog is used to.

The checklist for your holiday preparations

• Lead and collar with address tag
• Water bottle, drinking bowl, snacks
• Muzzle, if necessary
• EU pet passport, vaccination passport, other documents
• Third-party liability insurance and insurance number
• Supplies of readyprepared food
• Food bowl
• Brush, comb
• Blanket, cushion
• Toys
• First-aid kit (the vet will put this together!)
  

Dog with little case Download as CMYK - JPEG (Photos may only be reproduced with permission and in connection with editorial text. High-resolution photos can be requested from the Fressnapf press office.)