Now that we have made the long journey with our pups, I wanted to share our list of what made life a little easier when on the road. Whether you’re going by car, boat, train or plane these can make life easier for pup and human.

Katziela Pet Carrier We used this for Finn on La Compagnie. The advertisement says it’s TSA compliant, but I know that it is too big for most airlines so don’t assume it will work on other flights. La Compagnie has a weight allowance much higher than other airlines- 33 pounds compared to 17 pounds on most airlines and permits larger pet travel bags. They only fly Newark to Paris or Milan (seasonally to Nice) but it’s an affordable way to get your small-medium sized dog to Europe and then you can take trains or a car to your final destination. When traveling through Italy and Greece, we ended up stuffing this bag with dog food and other luggage and then used it as a regular rolling bag- worked out great!

Pup Culture (2 Pack) AirTag Dog Collar Holder – these were the 2nd style we bought- the first ones fell off the collar but this design fit against their bodies, so they stayed in place! When travelling it’s always a good idea to have Apple Airtags for your bags and your dogs, for peace of mind.

These collapsible water bowls were a lifesaver for water and food, we always take one with us on walks. 2-Pack Dog Portable Water Bowl for Dogs. Some dog-friendly hotels provided food and water bowls which were so cute, but our pups preferred bowls they were familiar with, especially when everything was new and weird to them during travel. These clip easily to a backpack or a purse, making sure you can leave them outside your bags so nothing gets wet.

With so many locations it was crucial for the dogs to have scents they were familiar with and do our best to keep fur off every surface. We used the PetAmi Fluffy Waterproof Dog Blanket to cover car seats, train seats, and hotel beds. Easy to wash and dry and comfy for the pups.

LUCKYPAW Dog Muzzle with Comfortable Mesh Soft Fabric and Adjustable Strap. So, on trains in Italy and most ferries, they allow dogs, but you are required to carry a muzzle with you in case of any issues. Luckily, we never had to use them, and they were light to carry around, in case of emergency.

One of the EU rules for travel is that you can’t bring in Dairy or Meat- making bringing dog food and treats a problem. I spoke to my local pet store, and they found an Italian Brand of dog food they sold that is also found on Amazon.com and Chewy so it’s easy to track down in the US and Europe. Switching the dog’s food gradually always helps avoid tummy issues so we bought a bag in Tampa, and they really liked it. We found a pet store near our new house in Greece, and they also sold the brand. I also had to find treats for travel time, but this was easier since they love pumpkin and sweet potatoes. List of the foods and treats we bought below:

• Farmina Pet Foods Chicken and Pomegranate Adult Mini is the flavors the pups liked
• Caledon Farms Sweet Potato Chews
• WHIMZEES Natural Grain Free Daily Dental Long Lasting Dog Treats, Veggie Sausage
• Bocce’s Bakery Digestive Support Dog Treats, Wheat-Free Pumpkin Ginger – Great for settling nervous tummies during travel

So, I hope this list helps your planning a little. I know this is a stressful time for the whole family and a thorough plan helps when all the stops along the way are foreign for the pups and you. I also recommend checking Google Maps for parks near the hotels you book. This is something I wish we had done. Some cities were easier than others having a park nearby for late night potty trips.

If you’re preparing your own travel with dogs feel free to reach out to me with any questions. I’m happy to be honest about how it’s hard but also rewarding. Our new home feels like home because we have our dogs, I couldn’t imagine rehoming them or leaving them with family- they are our family.

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