Do you plan to travel abroad with your pet?

Here’s what you need to know!

Rabies vaccination

Dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies before they can travel abroad.

Dogs and cats cannot be vaccinated against rabies until they are 12 weeks old, so they may only travel abroad once they reach 15 weeks. This is because 21 days must pass after the rabies vaccine is given before the pet can leave the country.

The dog must be microchipped before the rabies vaccine is administered.

We do not recommend giving the rabies vaccine at the same time as the routine vaccinations.

Pet Passport

You need a pet passport, which includes the rabies vaccination record and other information about the animal.

You can get the passport from your veterinarian.

Some countries require deworming treatment before entry, including Norway, Finland and England. This treatment is given by the vet and noted in the passport.

If you’re traveling outside of Europe, different rules apply for pet travel. As the owner, you’re responsible for finding out the requirements, for example, if you plan to travel to Asia.

You can find information on the Danish Food Administration’s website regarding pet travel requirements.

Read more here about traveling with pets.

Planning to visit the mediterranean region?

In the Mediterranean region, there is a risk of your dog being infected with diseases not seen in Denmark.

There are different types of mosquitoes that can transmit diseases such as leishmaniasis and tropical heartworm.

Additionally, there are certain types of ticks that can spread diseases like babesiosis.

Fleas are common in the south. Besides causing itching, they can also transmit tapeworms.

French heartworm is found both in Denmark and further south, and dogs can be infected if they eat an infected snail.

The fox tapeworm is widespread in Central and Southern Europe. Dogs can become infected if, for example, they eat a mouse or bird carrying the parasite. The parasite can infect humans, so it is always recommended to treat for this before returning home.

We also recommend vaccinating your dog against leishmaniasis if you plan to travel south.

While this is NOT a legal requirement, it is a recommendation. You should also have various types of parasite protection to guard against the diseases mentioned above. Talk to your vet about what’s relevant for your pet.