Tips on Travelling with Your Pet By Ferry To Spain
One of the biggest advantages of travelling to Spain by ferry is that you can bring the whole family along for the ride.
And by that we really do mean the whole family – pets included!
Why would you want to take you pet on holiday with you?
For one thing, so you don’t have to worry how he/she’s being looked after back home. Likewise, the cash you’ll save in kennel costs could mean more to spend during your trip. Plus there’s the sheer enjoyment of having the whole family together for the trip of a lifetime.
What you’ll need
So assuming you’ve made the decision to take your pet along for the ride, you’ll need to tick a few important boxes before setting off.
For example, you’re going to need to get hold of a pet passport or equivalent document, clearly showing that your pet has been vaccinated against rabies and has a microchip implant. If unsure as to either of these, you’ll need to speak to your vet plenty of time before your departure date. Otherwise, your pet won’t be allowed out of the UK.
21 days must have elapsed from the time of the vaccination, in order for your pet to travel. In addition, your pet must be at least 12 weeks of age and it’s compulsory for dogs to wear muzzles. Even if they’re the friendliest mutts on Earth, rules are rules!
On the plus side, tick and tapeworm treatments are no longer required when travelling with cats or ferrets, though you’re still going to need a valid pet passport.
Coping with the trip
Just to get one important point out of the way – you must ensure that you specify your intent to travel with a pet when making your booking. If your travel service provider or chosen accommodation isn’t pet-friendly, you could be turned away or refused travel.
When taking the ferry to Spain, pets cannot be left in vehicles given the duration of the crossing. As such, it’s necessary to book a cabin that can accommodate you and your pet. Alternatively, there’s also the option of using the on-board kennel services available on many crossings to Spain.
Taking plenty of toys and distractions along for the ride is a good idea – especially for dogs that have a tendency to become somewhat restless.
In the case of nervous pets, it’s worth discussing safe herbal supplements with your vet, which could help calm and ease them during the journey. In fact, it’s worth discussing your plans with your vet prior to departure anyway, in order to pick up a few tips and tricks for making the journey as smooth as possible.
If you have any doubts as to the eligibility of your pet to travel with you or how to make the necessary arrangements, get in touch with your service provider.
Finally, you may want to watch these two videos created by ferry to Spain company Brittany Ferries for dog owners wanting more information on travelling with dogs on a ferry.
