How To Travel With Your Pet To And From Koh Phangan

Do you want to bring your pet with you to Koh Phangan? 

For worry-free travelling with your furry little friend, here is some advice from animal specialists:

Pack all necessary gear including a kit with proof of vaccinations, food, water, bowls, any medication your pet requires, and other necessities such as a litter box, litter, and waste bags.

Properly ID your pet with a microchip implant and external tags that include your up-to-date contact information.

Pre-plan everything well in advance!  This can eliminate the possibility of anything from minor annoyances like unexpected costs to your pet being denied on board or even flown back to your place of departure.  

Check about any species and breed restrictions because some airlines don’t allow certain types of dogs for one reason or another.  

Do not sedate your pet before travelling even though it seems like a good idea to keep them calm.  All you have to do is leave the carrier open in the house so your pet can spend time in it and eat inside.  If it’s a comforting space, your pet will want to be in it during travel and will therefore be calm without being drugged.  

Carry all necessary paperwork with you like permits from the destination country and a health certificate that meets the country’s requirements

Do not let your pet ride loose in a vehicle because it can be a  danger to the driver, other passengers, and of course, the animal itself.  

Buy and comfortable pet harness to ensure the safety of your pet in a vehicle while driving.  Humans wear seatbelts for safety and animals should too. 

Most likely your pet will not travel in the airplane cabin with you so get a comfortable cargo carrier and make sure it meets the requirements for air travel established by the International Air Transport Association.  Have your pet get familiar with the travel crate well before traveling and don’t forget to put water in there for the journey.

Get a clean bill of health by checking that your pet’s blood tests and vaccinations (such as for rabies) are current and have been administered within the proper time frame.  Also, check that it has received an appropriate tapeworm treatment.

Try to avoid feeding your pet strange foods...just in case.  You may even want to bring them food they are used to from home. 

Once you’ve arrived at your destination help your pet get comfortable with the new setting.  Just don’t leave them alone for at least the first 24 hours so they feel that “this is home and you’re coming back.”