How to Travel With a Pet Without the Stress
Travelling with a pet takes more preparation than most people expect. Here is how to do it calmly — whether you are driving an hour to the vet or flying across a country.
How to Travel With a Pet Without the Stress
Travelling with a pet takes more preparation than most people expect. Whether you are driving to a vet appointment, taking a long road trip or flying internationally, the principles are the same: prepare early, prioritise safety and have everything written down.
Car Travel
Always secure your pet in the car. An unrestrained dog is a serious safety risk. Use a crash-tested harness, a secured crate or a boot barrier.
Build up gradually. If your pet is not used to car travel, start with short trips. Pair car trips with positive experiences.
On long trips:
- Stop every 2–3 hours for dogs to toilet and stretch
- Never leave a pet in a parked car in warm weather
- Bring water, a bowl and their usual food
- Keep feeding at least 2 hours before travel to reduce nausea
Flying
- Check airline policies early — rules change frequently
- Small pets may travel in-cabin; larger pets travel as cargo
- Use an IATA-approved carrier
- Never sedate a pet before flying unless specifically prescribed
- Attach your contact details and a photo to the carrier
What to Bring
- Vaccination records and health certificate
- Your pet's regular food
- Familiar bedding with their scent
- Medications if applicable
- Microchip documentation
- Your vet's contact details and nearest emergency clinic at your destination
If You Are Leaving Your Pet Behind
Prepare a complete written instruction pack for whoever is caring for them. Include feeding routine, emergency contacts, vet details and medication instructions.
Printable and fillable PDF templates for pet owners — feeding schedules, health records, training trackers and more.