I’ve traveled with my dog everywhere from Mexico to Spain. Here’s my advice.

When I discovered my love of traveling, I feared it would compete with the other love in my life – my chihuahua-pomeranian mix named Bear. 

He stayed behind in the U.S. during my first big solo trip to southeast Asia, but I knew I couldn’t just travel forever without my furry son. That’s how he started coming with me on adventures. 

We’ve taken road trips together across the United States from New York to Colorado, Florida, and even as far as Las Vegas together. He’s traveled in cars, trains, buses, and international flights to Mexico and Spain. 

Bear has traveled with me so much that he even has an EU Pet Passport. 

Although all this pet travel sounds easy as I sit here in retrospect, it had its bumps in the road. Bringing your pet along to see the world with you is an amazing opportunity, but there are some important things to know before attempting it. 

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Speak with a trustworthy, USDA Certified vet before every trip

I knew traveling with Bear wouldn’t be a walk in the park. However, I wasn’t prepared for the level of meticulousness it required. Every single destination demands a unique list of things and online resources can be confusing about exactly what is needed. 

That’s why I always go straight to the source and consult my USDA-certified vet in the United States before traveling anywhere with my dog. They provide the most up-to-date, accurate information about what you need as a U.S. citizen for your specific destination. 

Just be sure you’re going to a reputable veterinarian because otherwise you may run into a huge problem at the airport. On my first international trip with Bear to Mexico, the vet I went to made mistakes on his health certificate that almost made us miss our flight. 

Your dog’s size matters and traveling with a small dog is much easier

Like it or not, the truth of the matter is that it is abundantly easier to travel by car, train, or plane with a small dog. I’ve personally never traveled with a large dog and I don’t think I would unless it was in an “I’m moving to a new place” scenario. 

Luckily, I’ve been blessed with just about the tiniest dog you can imagine besides a teacup yorkie that fits in a coffee mug. Bear weighs roughly 7 pounds and he is tiny enough to carry in my arms. This means he is small enough to fly in-cabin in a carrier. 

The specifics vary between airlines, but on average, only dogs that weigh less than 20 pounds are allowed to travel in-cabin. While it’s possible to travel with a large dog in the cargo hold, it adds a whole new layer of requirements, funds, and anxiety. 

Learn about the local dog customs in a new country

Local attitudes toward pets can vary drastically even between U.S. cities. For example, I could take Bear to many restaurants in Los Angeles, but I wouldn’t be able to do the same at most Florida establishments. You can only imagine the stark difference between countries when it comes to dog customs. 

In Mexico City, it was completely normal for dogs to be unfixed and off-leash, which is very rare in the United States. While taking a road trip through Mexico, I wasn’t prepared for how many stray, aggressive dogs lived at the rest stops.  

On the other hand, in Barcelona, I thought people were much more social with their dogs than in Mexico or even America. Every time we passed another four-legged furry on the street, I was almost expected to stop and let them sniff each other. Every single time. 

I always do a little research on forum websites like Reddit before a trip to learn about dog culture in a destination. For me, it just feels like another facet of respecting the local customs and being prepared for anything. 

Get your pet used to traveling (preferably as a puppy)

I adopted Bear as a college freshman living in New York City. Since he was just a few months old, he was riding with me on the subway and taking the train upstate to visit my mom. 

His carrier became his safe space from the very beginning. Bear always regarded travel as a positive activity instead of something he did when he was going to get groomed or visit the vet. He gets almost as excited to go on a drive as he does to eat dinner. 

While Bear has mastered the art of traveling by car and train, he’s a little less enthusiastic about flying. After several flights, though, we’ve definitely figured out a routine that helps make the experience easier for both of us.

Ensure your dog’s crate is the right size for your airline when flying

Technically, Bear counts as my carry-on item when I fly with him, which means he and his carrier need to fit under the seat in front of me. Since every airline has its own sizing, they provide specific dimensions for carrier size to ensure the pup won’t be squished. 

My carrier of choice for flying is the Sherpa Airlines-Approved Travel Pet Carrier as it is accepted by most major U.S. airlines. It fits Bear perfectly, it’s well-ventilated with lots of windows, and it’s soft-sided. 

The purchase even comes with a “Guaranteed On-Board” certification. It states the company will cover the cost of your flight and pet travel fee if you are denied boarding due to bag size. 

Use the pet areas at the airport multiple times

When I imagined all the nightmare scenarios that could happen while traveling with Bear, one of my top worries was him going to the bathroom mid-air. Dogs are not allowed out of their carrier in the plane, so that can create a big problem.

Most airports solve this by providing pet relief areas near the gates. It is exactly what it sounds like – only smaller and a bit grosser than you’re probably imagining. For some reason, I always manage to get there after they seem like they haven’t been cleaned all day. 

Although unpleasant, spend ample time in the pet area with your pup pre-flight. It’s better to endure that than deal with an accident at 40,000 feet in the air.

Use CBD treats or drops on the flight, but test them before your trip

Before I board a flight with Bear, I want him to be as sleepy as possible. It eases any travel anxiety and allows him to snooze the entire journey away. 

I have a few tricks to make him tired, like always letting him sniff outside for 30 minutes before we leave for the airport. Apparently, sniffing is more tiring and stimulating than an hour of straight walking. 

Sometimes sniffing just isn’t enough, though. That’s when I break out the Calm CBD Oil for Dogs. My friend who flies with his dog, Hamburger, highly recommended it and it works absolute wonders. Just a drop on a treat sends Bear into a cozy dreamland for 6-7 hours. 

While CBD oil or treats can be helpful for relaxing your dog on a flight, do not give them to your pet for the very first time on a trip. Give them a little at home to make sure they’re comfortable and don’t have a negative reaction. 

And, of course, be sure to check regulations in the countries you’re visiting to make sure CBD is allowed!

Pack things like freeze-dried food/treats, a collapsible water bowl, & waste bags in your carry-on

Airports may have over-priced cocktails and snacks for humans, but they’re very lacking in stuff for their dog patrons. That’s why I pack a little doggie bag with things like a collapsible dog bowl, waste bags, and a small comfort toy. 

I also bring a bag of Stella & Chewy’s Freeze-Dried Raw Lamb Liver Treats to the airport when I travel with Bear. They don’t have any smell, there is just one ingredient, and they’re virtually mess-free. Most importantly, he’s obsessed with them. 

Get the EU Pet Passport if you’re traveling to that region often

Before I went to live in Spain with Bear, my U.S. vet implored me to consult with a Spanish veterinarian about getting him an EU Pet Passport. Without it, American dogs have to get a very expensive health certificate from their vet every time they travel there. 

It took $150 and about two days of running around Barcelona and working with a very helpful vet at Sants Animals. However, I did walk away with an EU passport for Bear. 

Although it feels a little weird to say my dog is basically a European citizen now, it’s super useful. It works like a normal passport would, allowing him to enter most EU countries without all the annoying paperwork as long as his vaccines are up to date. 

Understand your dog’s temperament before you commit to a trip

Not every dog is built for the travel lifestyle. Bear is extremely easygoing, quiet, and overall unbothered by being out in the world. However, I’ve known plenty of animals who can barely handle a 20-minute drive to the vet. 

Animals are one-of-a-kind individuals just like people, and travel just isn’t for every dog. Think about your dog’s temperament before subjecting them to an overwhelming experience. 

Don’t be afraid to take your dog on adventures

My biggest piece of advice for people thinking about traveling with a dog is to be prepared, not afraid. 

Traveling with my dog seemed like the most stressful, complicated thing in the world before I did it. I’m here to report that, yes, it can be both of those things – but, it can also be fun and rewarding. 

It tickles me pink that Bear is getting to see the world with me. I love the memories of him walking on the beaches in Spain and driving to the top of Mt. Blue Sky in Colorado. He’s my favorite travel buddy. 

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The process of traveling with a dog has gotten much easier after going on well over a dozen trips with Bear in the past few years. We’ve figured out a groove that works for us and makes me feel confident about bringing him to new places. The key to it all is preparation, especially when you’re crossing borders or flying with a pet. 

Have you traveled with a pet? Tell us about it in the comments.