Traveling is a magical, breathtaking experience for many people. Having the chance to see different parts of the world and enjoy new foods, cultures, and sights is what makes life special. To make the most of your travel experience, don’t forget to take your puppy along for the ride.

Your puppy is your best friend so it makes sense to bring them with you on these adventures. Just think about it. As you explore new cultures around the world, your furry bestie is there and sharing the magical experience with you!

Of course, you may already know that traveling with your puppy (or any pet) takes some extra steps. Vaccination records, essential supplies, and food—there are many items you need to pack before your trip. Our Puppy Travel Checklist: What To Pack has a complete list of puppy essentials to bring with you!

Along with essential items, there are also other provisions that you need to think about when traveling with your puppy. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you’ll need for the best travel experience with your furry friend!

Health and safety

Your puppy’s health and safety are your first priority while traveling—or at least it should be! A few weeks before the trip, take your puppy to the vet for a full health checkup. Ask your vet questions about traveling with your furry friend. Your vet may provide you with helpful tips on keeping your puppy healthy during your travels. Other reasons why you should visit your vet include:

• Get your puppy fully vaccinated. Remember that different states and countries have their own vaccination requirements. You will likely be asked to bring vaccination records with you as medical proof before entering another country. For more information on a puppy’s vaccination schedule, check out The American Kennel Club’s complete guide on puppy vaccinations.

• Receiving a puppy health record or document. Since some countries or locations require proof of vaccination, we highly recommended that you have these records in hand during your trip. Your vet will provide these documents for you after your puppy’s health evaluation.

• Renewing medical prescriptions. If your puppy has any type of allergy or medical condition, visiting the vet ensures their prescription will be filled so that they’re ready to go. 

• General information or tips. Some dog breeds have physical structures that make it harder to travel. For example, brachycephalic breeds like French Bulldogs and Pugs have short faces that cause breathing problems. Your vet may offer you advice on how you can best accommodate your furry friend. 

Also, nutrition and exercise are absolutely essential when traveling with pets. Dogs love to eat but they have to eat the right foods, and this is a key part of staying healthy on vacation. 

We recommend bringing healthy, nutritious dog food with you. Check out our blog, Choosing the Right Food for Your Puppy for more tips on picking a well-balanced meal for your puppy. 

Also, don’t forget to pack water and dog treats. You should also check for vet clinics and hospitals in your vacation area. You’ll never know when an emergency will pop up so having a vet clinic in mind will give you some peace of mind during your travels.

Documents You Need to Bring

We already mentioned how important it is to bring your puppy’s vaccination records with you. However, those aren’t the only things you should bring. The most important documents and tags you need to bring when traveling with your puppy include:

• A pet passport. This record is similar to a normal passport. It typically contains a picture of your puppy and other identification. The pet passport confirms to authorities that your puppy is safe and healthy for travel. It is pretty affordable too so you don’t need to worry about breaking the bank. 

• Microchipping. You also need to ensure that your puppy is microchipped. By microchipping your puppy, you ensure that they come home to you if they get lost. 

Petland puppies are microchipped before they go to their fur-ever families so if you purchased a puppy at Petland, you don’t need to worry about microchipping them. 

• Dog tags and ID. We also highly recommend buying ID tags for your puppy. This tag is typically attached to their collar. It should always have updated information such as their name, your name, and your phone number. 

Having your puppy microchipped and ID tag will help you find them in cases of emergencies. Read more about why ID tags are important by reading our blog, Why Puppy ID tags are Important. 

Pet-friendly Vacation Locations

Before picking any vacation spot, make sure it’s a place that is tolerant of animals, especially dogs. Not every hotel or city is dog-friendly and these limitations can make it tricky to find a good place to stay while traveling. 

For instance, some hotels such as the ones listed in BringFido may charge extra fees for pets. Other places like museums will refuse entry for any animal. Unless you plan to leave your puppy at the hotel all day, always plan out activities that include them in it. 

Some of the ways you can plan out a pet-friendly vacation include: 

• Picking a pet-friendly city. The best cities for dogs are ones with mid-temperatures and small crowds. High temperatures can cause your furry bestie to become sick, especially if you forget to take precautions. 

Even if your puppy is highly socialized, they may feel overwhelmed by large crowds of strangers. Pick a city that meets your puppy’s standards and personality.

• Considering travel distance. Remember that your puppy is an energetic little ball of fur. They love to run and have fun. Staying inside a car for a long road trip isn’t exactly the best recipe for a good time. In fact, some dogs can become very anxious. 

Take that into consideration before bringing your puppy for a long car drive. Make a plan that’s consistent. For example, you can take breaks from driving so that your puppy has time to stretch, eat, drink water, and relieve itself. 

• Choose a pet-friendly hotel or Airbnb. It can be challenging to find and book a pet-friendly hotel and Airbnb but they are out there. Some hotels and Airbnbs only accept certain breeds and dog sizes. 

They may also not accept more than one dog. Make sure to do plenty of research before booking a place. Check a hotel’s policies on pets, including any rules they require for owners. Websites like PetsWelcome and Dog Friendly can help you find the best hotels and other places that allow pets. 

Planning out travel arrangements for your puppy has its quirks. Always remember the most important thing: it’s a vacation. You and your puppy will build beautiful, fun memories together. When traveling gets stressful, your puppy will be there for you to give you that slice of comfort you need. 

Of course, not all dogs love traveling. If you know your puppy is a homebody, it’s not a good idea to force them to come with you on vacation. There are plenty of dog sitting and dog hotel services available that can be a cozy home for your fur-baby while you’re enjoying your travels. Just make sure you meet their requirements so that you can book a place for your pup! 

Traveling with your puppy can be extremely rewarding. When you take every step to ensure your puppy is happy and safe throughout the trip, you can build a beautiful bond with them. We hope this guide helps you create a wonderful adventure that you and your pup will always remember!