People usually start travelling with a pet because leaving them behind isn’t simple — boarding fills up, plans change, and some animals cope poorly away from home. The catch is that a small gap in preparation can turn into a big problem: a dog overheating in a parked car, a cat slipping a collar at a new campsite, or an airline crate that doesn’t meet the rules.
For most trips, the safest path is steady and practical: choose genuinely pet-welcoming stops, keep routines as familiar as you can, and treat transport like a safety system (restraints, ventilation, water, identification, and a back-up plan if things go sideways).
Planning your trip
Choose places that are truly pet-friendly
Pet-friendly can mean anything from “pets allowed in the room” to “pets welcome everywhere, with safe outdoor space”. Before you book, look for the details that matter when you arrive tired and your animal is already overstimulated:
- Clear rules (where pets can go, noise expectations, size limits, fees).
- Safe set-up (secure fencing, no easy gaps under gates, low balcony risk).
- Nearby basics (shade, a quiet walking area, somewhere to toilet on lead).
If you’re travelling in peak periods, pet-friendly rooms and cabins often disappear first. Lock them in early, then confirm the pet policy again a few days before arrival.
Know the rules that actually apply to your trip
Most Australian road trips don’t involve border paperwork, but regulation still matters in two common situations:
- Flying within Australia: each airline sets its own conditions (crate type, check-in timing, temperature limits, breed restrictions).
- International travel (into Australia or returning to Australia): import conditions are strict, and requirements can include permits, veterinary certification, tests and quarantine depending on the country you’re coming from and your animal’s travel history.1, 2
If there’s any chance your pet will need to return to Australia after overseas travel, start with the federal government guidance and work from there, not social media checklists.2, 3
Do a pre-travel health check (and keep it boring)
A calm trip usually starts days earlier at the vet. Ask whether your pet is fit to travel, whether they’re prone to motion sickness, and how to manage existing conditions in heat, cold, or long driving stretches. If your pet has never travelled far, a few short practice trips can tell you more than any packing list.
What to pack for your pet
Essentials you’ll use every day
- Enough of their usual food (sudden diet changes can trigger gut upsets).
- Water and a spill-resistant bowl.
- Lead, harness, poo bags, litter and tray (for cats), plus a small cleaning kit.
- A familiar bed or blanket that smells like home.
- Any regular medications, plus a copy of the prescription.
Identification that still works when something slips
Collars and tags help, but they can come off. Microchipping gives you a second chance if your animal is found and scanned. In Australia, microchipping rules are set by states and territories; for example, in Victoria dogs and cats must be microchipped before first council registration, and in NSW cats and dogs must be microchipped before being sold or given away (or by 12 weeks of age).4, 5
Before you leave, check that your contact details are current on the microchip registry, and add a temporary travel tag with a mobile number that will be switched on.
Travelling by car
Restraint isn’t optional
In a sudden stop, an unrestrained animal becomes a projectile. They can also distract the driver at exactly the wrong moment. Use a crash-tested harness and seatbelt attachment where possible, or a secured crate/carrier. The RSPCA advises that pets should be restrained in vehicles, with dogs ideally in the back seat (to reduce airbag injury risk) and cats in a carrier that’s secured with a seatbelt.6
Heat: the quiet risk that arrives fast
Cars trap heat. Even mild weather can become dangerous when airflow stops, and dogs with short noses, heavy coats, obesity, or older age can be more vulnerable to heat stress.6, 7
- Plan your stops so your pet can get out with you.
- Run the air-conditioning before loading up.
- Carry water, and offer it at breaks.
- Never leave your pet unattended in the car.6, 7
Breaks and motion sickness
Long drives work best when they’re broken into small, predictable loops: toilet break, short walk on lead, water, then back into the restraint. For animals that vomit in the car, talk to your vet before the trip. Skipping a big meal right before departure can help some pets, but medication decisions should be made with professional advice.
Travelling by air
Airline rules vary — start early
Air travel with pets is paperwork plus logistics: booking limits, check-in windows, crate requirements, and rules around breed and weather. Confirm requirements directly with your airline, then measure and buy the crate well ahead of time so your pet can learn it’s a safe place, not a trap.
Use a crate that fits the standard
Crate sizing isn’t about comfort alone — it’s about safety, posture and airflow. IATA guidance is built around allowing the animal to stand, turn, sit upright and lie in a natural position, and it includes a measurement method for choosing internal dimensions.8
Don’t sedate without veterinary direction
Some owners reach for sedatives to “take the edge off”. In flight, that can increase risk for certain animals. If your pet is anxious or has a medical condition, speak with your vet about safer options and what to avoid.
Accommodation: keeping the peace and keeping them safe
Set up a familiar base
When you arrive, take five minutes to make the space predictable:
- Put water down first.
- Place bed/blanket in a quiet corner, away from the door.
- Do a quick scan for hazards (open balconies, loose fence panels, gaps under gates, exposed cords).
Respect the property and your neighbours
New smells and noises can trigger barking, pacing, or hiding. Keep your pet on lead in shared areas, clean up promptly, and don’t leave them alone straight away in an unfamiliar room. Build up to it.
Activities and entertainment
Choose low-risk adventures first
On day one, keep it simple: a gentle walk, a quiet park, a slow introduction to new surfaces and sounds. Dogs in particular can overheat or overdo it early in the trip, especially if the day is warmer than home.
Water, wildlife and recall
Be realistic about control. New beaches and bush tracks come with surprises — other dogs, unfamiliar wildlife, sudden noises. A long lead can give a dog space without giving up safety, and a secure carrier remains the safest option for cats outside a contained space.
Health and safety on the road
Signs your pet is not coping
Travel stress can show up as panting, drooling, trembling, diarrhoea, unusual clinginess, or withdrawal. Illness may look like lethargy, repeated vomiting, refusal to drink, or collapse. If you’re unsure, treat it as urgent and call a vet.
Set up an emergency plan before you need it
- Save the number of a local vet near your accommodation.
- Find the nearest 24-hour emergency clinic on your route.
- Keep vaccination records and any key medical history accessible on your phone.
Final thoughts
Travelling with pets is less about “pet-friendly” labels and more about practical risk management. Secure them in transit, protect them from heat, keep identification current, and give them time to settle. A good trip feels almost uneventful — just steady movement, familiar routines, and a small animal shadowing you from one safe place to the next.
References
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia) — Bringing cats and dogs to Australia
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia) — Cats and dogs returning to Australia
- Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Australia) — Industry Advice 105-2023: Permits to import cats and dogs to Australia
- Agriculture Victoria — Microchipping of dogs and cats
- NSW Office of Local Government — Microchipping (NSW Pet Registry)
- RSPCA Pet Insurance — Pet travel guide
- RSPCA South Australia — Don’t leave your pets in the car (hot car warning)
- International Air Transport Association (IATA) — Traveller’s Pet Corner (Live Animals / pets and container guidance)
Veterinary Advisor, Veterinarian London Area, United Kingdom