Traveling with a Dog: The Complete Guide + Tips for Calming Down with CBD

Author: Lucie Garabasova

Are you planning a vacation, trip or weekend getaway and are you taking your four-legged friend with you? Great decision! Traveling with a dog can be an enriching experience for both of you – if you are properly prepared. We bring you a complete guide that answers all frequently asked questions and recommends how to travel safely and peacefully with your dog. There are also proven tips for natural help in the form of CBD for dogs.

In this article you will learn:

• What to pack for your dog when traveling? 
• Traveling with a dog in the car 
• How does CBD help when traveling? 
• Traveling with a dog abroad F
• requently asked questions

🧳 What to pack for your dog when traveling?

Let's start with the basics – what should not be missing in a dog's suitcase?

✅ Dog travel checklist:

• Pet passport and vaccination certificate (mandatory when traveling abroad) 
• Collar with identification tag (phone number, address) 
• Leash, harness, muzzle (e.g. when traveling by public transport) 
• Bed or blanket with the scent of home 
• Travel bowls, water and food (don't forget treats!) 
• Favorite calming toys 
• First aid kit (including CBD, disinfectant, ointments, or medication) 
• Bags, wipes, towel, or insect repellent

🚗 Traveling with a dog by car

The most common form of transportation - but here too, there are a few rules to follow:

🔒 Safety first:

• The dog should be restrained with a dog seat belt or in a carrier.
• Never leave your dog alone in the car - even for a few minutes there is a risk of overheating.
• Take breaks every 2-3 hours for a walk and a drink

🤢 What if your dog is sick in the car?

Some dogs suffer from nausea, vomiting or excessive salivation. The stress of driving can also cause restlessness, whining or fear.

👉 Does CBD help?

Administering CBD drops for dogs approximately 30-60 minutes before a trip can reduce stress, anxiety and improve tolerance of the journey. CBD is not intoxicating – on the contrary, it gently calms and helps the dog relax.

What is our experience with CBD for dogs while driving?

"Many owners contact us and ask us what our experience is with CBD for dogs while driving. We have to admit that it is about 70:30% (in 70% of dogs we see improvement during travel - most often reducing fear and anxiety, but we also deal with nausea), but of course it requires following some appropriate recommendations. In particular, getting the right concentration of CBD oil (depending on the weight of the dog) and regular use. It is still a herbal preparation and if it is administered only immediately before driving, it definitely does not have the same effect on the body as if it is administered regularly."

Lucie Garabášová
Author of the hemp line for animals + expert advisor

🚆 Dog on a train, public transport or plane - how to do it?

🟢 Train:

• Most carriers allow the transport of a dog for free or for a symbolic fee. 
• The dog must be on a leash and with a muzzle, or in a closed carrier. 
• Before the trip, we recommend a short walk and administration of CBD if the dog does not tolerate foreign environments well.

🟡 City transport:

• Rules vary by city - generally a muzzle and leash apply. 
• Small dogs can be in a bag/carrier. 
• For a calm journey, we again recommend CBD drops or treats with CBD.

✈ Airplane:

• It is necessary to find out the conditions of the given airline in advance. 
• Dogs up to about 8 kg can often travel in the cabin, larger ones in the luggage compartment. 
• It is important to administer CBD in a timely manner, ideally a few days in advance, so that the dog calms down at home.

🌍 Traveling abroad with a dog

📋 What to watch out for?

• Dog passport – issued by a veterinarian
• Valid rabies vaccination
• In some countries also vaccination against echinococcus or treatment against ticks
• A microchip is mandatory throughout the EU

⚠️ Each country has its own specifics – we recommend checking the information at least 14 days before traveling.

🌍 Basic requirements for traveling with a dog within the EU

To freely move your dog around the countries of the European Union, you need:

✅ European pet passport (issued by a veterinarian)
✅ Microchip (or tattoo, if legible and done before July 2011)
✅ Valid rabies vaccination
🕒 Vaccination must be at least 21 days old if it is the first vaccination

⚠️ Countries with stricter or special requirements

🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇲🇹 Malta

These countries also require deworming against the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis:

• The administration must be 1-5 days before entering the country 
• The treatment must be recorded in the pet's passport by a veterinarian 
• The measure only applies to dogs (not cats or ferrets)

🇬🇧 United Kingdom (update after Brexit)

Even after Brexit, entry with a dog is possible, but no longer EU pet passport not valid
You need:

• Health certificate (AHC) – issued by a veterinarian, valid for 10 days from issue 
• Microchip and rabies vaccination 
• Deworming against Echinococcus multilocularis 
• Requirement to enter only through an approved border crossing
  Entry is limited to certain carriers (e.g. shipping lines and Eurotunnel – not by air)

🇳🇴 Norway and 🇨🇭 Switzerland

• Both countries are not in the EU, but respect similar rules 
• You must have a valid passport, vaccination, microchip 
• Norway also requires deworming against Echinococcus (like Ireland, etc.)

🌴 Traveling outside Europe (USA, Asia, Africa)

Each country has its own regulations – some:

• Require quarantine upon entry (e.g. Australia, New Zealand) 
• Require serum test for rabies antibodies 
• Restrict entry of certain dog breeds (e.g. in some Arab countries, Singapore) 
• Issuing import permits – must be applied for weeks to months in advance

🌿 Why add CBD when traveling with a dog?

Traveling is a source of stress for many dogs – new environment, different regime, foreign smells, transportation… CBD can help to cope with all these changes better.

✨ How CBD helps:

• Calms the nervous system without sedation
• Relieves anxiety and restlessness
• Helps against nausea and vomiting when traveling
• Promotes better sleep in a new environment
• Soothes digestion (common during stress)

You can use CBD as drops, or in the form of treats or CBD ointments for irritated paws after a trip.

💬 Frequently Asked Questions

How to dose CBD when traveling?

We recommend starting 1-2 days before the trip and giving a dose in the morning on the day of departure. For longer trips, you can also give a second dose during the day. The dosage depends on the dog's weight - always monitor the reaction.

Can I combine CBD with other medications?

In most cases, yes, but we recommend consulting a veterinarian if the dog is taking medication for a long time.

Will CBD also help a hyperactive dog?

Yes, CBD helps calm even dogs that are very sensitive to changes or do not tolerate long trips well.

🧘‍♂️ Travel calmly - you and your dog

Traveling with a dog is not a science - all you need is proper preparation, patience and trust. And if you add a drop of hemp care, the trip can turn into a calm and pleasant experience for both of you.