Travelling With Your Pet: The Complete Guide
Whether it's a road trip or a flight, proper planning makes pet travel safe and stress-free.
Road Trips
Safety First
- Secure your pet: Crash-tested crate, seatbelt harness, or back-seat barrier. An unsecured 30kg dog in a crash at 50km/h exerts 1,500kg of force.
- Never in the front seat — airbags can be fatal to pets
- Never alone in a parked car — temperatures rise 20°C in 10 minutes, even with windows cracked
During the Drive
- Stop every 2 hours for water, bathroom breaks, and leg stretches
- Keep the car cool — pets overheat faster than humans
- Bring their blanket — familiar smells reduce anxiety
- No head out the window — debris can damage eyes and ears
Car Sickness
Affects up to 50% of puppies (most outgrow it).
Prevention: Face them forward, keep the car cool, crack a window slightly for fresh air, don't feed 2-3 hours before travel.
Medication: Cerenia (prescription anti-nausea) for severe cases.
Flying
Cabin vs Cargo
- Cabin: Pets under 7-10kg in an airline-approved carrier under the seat. Safest and least stressful.
- Cargo: Temperature-controlled, pressurised hold. Riskier — avoid if possible.
Airline Requirements
- Health certificate from vet (usually within 10 days of travel)
- Up-to-date vaccinations
- Airline-approved carrier (specific dimensions)
- Booking fee ($100-$300+ each way)
Tips
- Book direct flights to minimise time in transit
- Avoid flying brachycephalic breeds (Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians) — breathing risks at altitude
- Exercise well before the flight
- Don't sedate unless vet-recommended (sedation can cause breathing issues at altitude)
- Freeze water in a bowl so it doesn't spill but provides hydration
International Travel
Common Requirements
- Microchip (must be ISO 11784/11785 compliant)
- Rabies vaccination (often 30 days before, sometimes 6 months)
- Health certificate (endorsed by government vet)
- Import permit (some countries)
- Blood titre test (for rabies-free countries like Australia, Japan, UK)
- Quarantine (varies: 10 days to 6 months)
Start planning 6+ months ahead for international travel. Requirements are strict and time-sensitive.
Pet-Friendly Accommodation
Finding Options
- Filter for "pet-friendly" on booking platforms
- Call ahead to confirm — online listings are sometimes outdated
- Ask about: weight limits, breed restrictions, additional fees, designated pet areas
Hotel Etiquette
- Bring a portable crate for when you leave the room
- Pack extra towels for muddy paws
- Clean up immediately — indoors and outdoors
- Don't leave a distressed pet alone in the room
- Tip housekeeping extra if your pet is shedding
Packing List
- Food (enough for the trip + 2 extra days)
- Collapsible food and water bowls
- Medications
- Poo bags
- Collar with ID tags showing your phone number
- Lead/harness
- Favourite toy and blanket
- First aid kit
- Recent photo (in case they get lost)
- Vet records and vaccination certificate
- Car seatbelt harness or carrier
Should Your Pet Stay Home?
Travel isn't right for every pet. Consider leaving them with a trusted sitter if:
- They have severe travel anxiety
- They're elderly or have health conditions
- The destination isn't pet-friendly
- The trip is very short (the travel stress outweighs the benefit)
Pet Capsule's vault stores all travel documents, vaccination certificates, and vet records for quick access at borders and check-ins.