Traveling With Your Dog or Cat This Summer: The Complete Checklist

July 1, 2026 · FamilyPet+

Summer is here, the bags are being packed — and the same question comes up every year: does your dog or cat come along, or stay home? If you have decided to travel with your pet, you have made a wonderful choice. With a little preparation, it can be a genuinely smooth experience for both of you. Here is everything you need to check before you leave.

Step 1 — Preparation: What to Verify Before You Go

ID and Microchip: Is Your Pet Registered?

Before any trip, confirm your pet is properly identified. A microchip is the internationally recognized standard — a tiny RFID chip implanted under the skin, readable by any vet scanner worldwide. Make sure the chip number is linked to your current contact details in the relevant national database. If you have recently moved or changed phone numbers, update the registration now, not at the border.

If you have recently adopted a pet, ask your vet to scan the chip and confirm the registration is active. A chip that is implanted but not registered offers no protection if your pet gets lost.

Up-to-Date Health Records

Open your pet's health record — paper or digital — and work through this before you travel:

• Vaccines: Are they current? Many boarding facilities and some countries require proof of up-to-date vaccination, especially for rabies.
• Antiparasitic treatments: Have you treated recently for fleas, ticks, and worms? Parasites are far more prevalent in summer, and risk levels vary by region and destination.
• Medical history and known allergies: Is everything documented in case you need to consult an unfamiliar vet in an emergency?

If you use FamilyPet+, you can generate a PDF export of the complete health record in seconds — easy to keep in your bag or send ahead to a boarding facility.

EU Pet Passport for International Travel

If you are traveling to another country with your dog, cat, or ferret, the EU pet passport (or equivalent official health certificate depending on your destination) is mandatory for travel within the European Union. This official document, issued by an accredited vet, certifies your pet's identification and vaccination status — in particular, rabies vaccination.

Each country may have additional requirements: some request a specific antiparasitic treatment before entry, others require a recent health certificate. Check with your vet at least three to four weeks before departure. Some formalities simply cannot be handled at the last minute.

⚠️ Veterinary disclaimer: Before any trip — especially abroad — consult your veterinarian. Only your vet can assess your pet's overall health, confirm that vaccinations meet the destination country's requirements, and adapt antiparasitic treatments to the risks of the specific region. Never change an ongoing treatment without veterinary advice.

Pack a Travel Kit for Your Pet

A small dedicated bag for your pet can save a lot of stress if something goes wrong:

• Current prescriptions and medications, with enough supply for the entire trip plus a few days' buffer
• Antiparasitic product suited to the destination
• Health record (or the PDF export on your phone)
• Clean water and a travel bowl
• A familiar toy or blanket to reduce travel anxiety
• Your vet's contact details and the name of the nearest vet at your destination

Ask your vet what to include for your specific pet — needs vary considerably depending on species, age, and existing conditions.

Step 2 — Transport: Car, Train, or Plane

By Car

The car is the most flexible option for traveling with a pet. A few ground rules:

• Secure your pet properly. A crash-tested transport crate secured with a seatbelt, a boot barrier, or an approved harness — not just loose in the back seat. An unsecured animal in a sudden stop is a danger to itself and to everyone in the vehicle.
• Plan regular breaks, roughly every two hours, so your pet can stretch, drink, and relieve itself.
• Never leave a pet alone in a parked car in warm weather. Even on a mild day, the temperature inside a parked car can exceed 50 °C (120 °F) within minutes — even with a window cracked. This is a life-threatening situation, not a risk worth taking under any circumstances.

By Train

Most rail operators accept small animals (dogs under a certain weight, cats) in an approved carrier for a supplement fare. Larger dogs may be permitted on-lead and muzzled on certain routes. Always check the specific carrier's conditions before booking — policies differ significantly between operators and countries.

By Plane

Rules vary widely between airlines and destinations. Some carriers accept small animals in the cabin; others allow only hold travel; some refuse certain breeds entirely — notably brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds such as French bulldogs, pugs, and Persians, whose respiratory systems are poorly suited to the stress of air travel. Places for animals are often very limited, so research and book early. For longer flights, a pre-travel vet consultation is strongly recommended.

Step 3 — Heat and Summer Safety

Summer heat is one of the most serious hazards for pets. Heatstroke (hyperthermia) can develop very quickly in a dog or cat exposed to direct sun or confined in a warm space.

• Never leave a pet alone in a car — this bears repeating, because it remains the most common cause of heat-related pet deaths every summer.
• Always provide fresh water, accessible at all times.
• Avoid walks during the hottest part of the day. Early morning and evening are far safer.
• Check the ground temperature. Asphalt and sand can reach temperatures that burn your pet's paws. Place the back of your hand on the surface for five seconds — if you cannot hold it there, neither can your dog.
• Short-nosed breeds (French bulldogs, pugs, Persian cats, and similar) are especially vulnerable to heat. Be extra cautious and keep them cool and well-ventilated.

If you notice excessive panting, unsteady movement, collapse, drooling, or vomiting, move your pet away from the heat immediately, apply cool (not ice-cold) water to their body, and get to a vet urgently.

Step 4 — Boarding or Pet-Sitter: If Your Pet Stays Home

Not every trip is right for every pet. If your animal is staying behind, here are the main options:

• Boarding facility: Choose one that requires an up-to-date vaccination record — it is a good marker of professionalism. Prepare a complete dossier with your pet's health information, daily routines, dietary needs, and your vet's contact details.
• Pet-sitter or trusted friend: Ideal for pets that are anxious outside their home environment. Leave clear written instructions, all medications, and a copy of the health record.
• Home-sitting: Your pet stays in familiar surroundings, which reduces stress. Make sure the person staying knows exactly what to do in an emergency — and has your vet's number.

In every case, a PDF export of your pet's health record — covering identity, vaccines, treatments, and vet contacts — is a document that any carer or boarding manager will genuinely appreciate having.

Step 5 — Arriving at Your Destination

Once you arrive, give your pet time to adjust:

• Let them explore at their own pace without rushing. A new environment is a lot to process.
• Keep them leashed or indoors for the first day or two in unfamiliar surroundings. Disoriented pets are far more likely to bolt.
• Locate the nearest vet as soon as you arrive. You hope you will not need it — but knowing where it is before an emergency makes everything easier.
• Maintain routine as much as possible: feeding times, portion sizes, familiar food. Sudden changes in diet or schedule frequently cause digestive upsets in pets.

Pre-Departure Checklist