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This is a guest por by eDreams blog

It’s not just dogs that are a man’s best friend, pets in general are great companions, but they also come with a lot of responsibilities. And what do you do when you go away? If you want to take your pet with you on your holiday or weekend break, travel can be tricky. So here the eDreams blog offers some tips on travelling with pets.

1. Planning Ahead

Think about exactly how the animal will travel, find out about the procedures involved and whether travel to your particular destination will especially cause problems or inconveniences.

2. The Animal and its Age

Make sure you consider your type of pet and it’s age. For example, puppies are more delicate, plus they eat and do their business more frequently than adult animals. On the other hand, cats are highly territorial and strongly dislike change, so they generally experience more travel stress than other types of pets.

3. Medical Check-up and Vaccines

Before embarking on your trip, you should pay a visit to the vet to get your pet checked out. The vet will also recommend vaccines for the animal, depending on where you’re travelling to.

4. Luggage

While you’re packing your bikini and suntan lotion, don’t forget your pet’s essentials too. Make sure he / she has his / her cleaning products, collar and lead, usual food, and not to forget their favourite toys.

5. Passport

Since October 1st, 2004, dogs, cats and ferrets travelling within member countries of the European Union need a European Passport for Pets. You can get this document at the vet’s.

6. Microchip

Does your pet have a microchip, or at least an identification tag on its collar with your name and address? This is without doubt the easiest way to ensure you don’t lose your companion on your travels.

7. Where to Stay

Hotels, country cottages, campsites… more and more accommodation is allowing pets to stay. Just make sure you ask before and give plenty of notice.

8. Transport

Depending on the destination, some forms of transport are more convenient than others. For this reason, when bringing pets people often opt to travel by car, since it’s relatively easy and simple. This way you can stop, take the animal out, feed and water it whenever you decide to, without depending on anyone.

If you’re travelling by train, there are a series of conditions for pets:

• Only one animal per person is allowed and it has to be transported in a cage or carry case.
• The cage can be no bigger than 60x35x35.
• Depending on the company, the price should be about 50% of the cost of the ticket, corresponding to the class you are travelling in.

If, on the other hand, you are looking for cheap flights or cruises, whether or not pets are allowed and conditions for travel are dependent on each individual company.

Apart from this advice, the rest is common sense. Treat your animal as you would do a human as they can have as many needs and concerns as we do.

And lastly don’t forget that your pet can and should appear in your holiday photos… unless they haven’t enjoyed themselves as much as you have…