Hey friends!
My name’s Kyon, and today I’m going to tell you everything I learned while getting ready to travel with my mom to the United Kingdom. Maybe one day you’ll head off on an adventure across the English Channel with your human too – so let me share what to watch out for, so you’ll be allowed onto the islands and enjoy them stress-free.
Summary for your humans (if they don’t like reading the whole thing)
We traveled to the United Kingdom in July 2025, so you know the info below is fresh and up to date.
First, your humans need to get ready – they’ll need their passport, an ETA, travel insurance, and don’t forget a UK power adapter.
What we pups need
– microchip
– rabies vaccination
– tapeworm treatment (24–120 hours before travel)
– pet passport or an official veterinary health certificate
– pet insurance (always a smart idea!)
Food Rules – Careful! There are strict rules about bringing food across the border—including dog kibble. Some types of meat-based pet food can’t be imported into the UK. Always check the latest guidelines so your snacks don’t get confiscated.
First, your humans need to get ready
In the UK, an ID card isn’t enough anymore. You’ll need a passport and, starting in 2025, an ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation).
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The ETA costs £16 and can be done easily through the app or at 👉 gov.uk/eta
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It’s valid for 2 years or until your passport expires – whichever comes first.
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⚠️ Important: You must have your ETA ready before you travel. Without it, you’re not getting in – and if your human doesn’t get in, neither do we pups (even though I’d probably look convincing enough at the border)
Lucka also got travel insurance, because why risk a holiday bill that could end up costing way more than the trip itself? Better safe than sorry.
Now it’s my turn – the traveling pup
To cross the border, I need:
- microchip
- rabies vaccination
- tapeworm treatment (24–120 hours before travel)
- my very own pet passport
Humans say it sounds complicated, but honestly, the vet takes care of everything. You just need to time that deworming tablet right. (And don’t even think about pretending to be another dog. Spoiler: the border folks would totally catch you.)
Mom also always gets me travel insurance – just in case. Better to be safe than sorry.
How do we get there?
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Eurotunnel – the most dog-friendly option! You get to stay in the car with your humans – zero stress. (For the full step-by-step guide on traveling by Eurotunnel, click HERE!)
- Ferry – On the Calais–Dover route, every company we checked didn’t allow dogs on deck. The rules said we’d have to stay in the car the whole time… and I wasn’t a fan of that idea. So we chose the Eurotunnel instead. Ferries are usually the cheaper option, though.
- Plane – Most airlines take bigger dogs only as cargo… and that’s not my vibe. I prefer the car and tunnel combo. But if you’re a small pup (usually under 8 kg/17 lbs including your carrier), you might be able to ride in the cabin with your humans.
Where will we sleep?
We usually book our stays through Booking.com, where you can simply check the filter “pets allowed.” Super easy!
The Brits really love their dogs, so finding a place was never a problem – even last minute. And by last minute, I mean less than 12 hours before arrival. Talk about stress-free tail wags!
Food Rules: For Humans and Dogs (after April 12, 2025) ‼️
Starting April 2025, it’s forbidden to bring these goodies from the EU into the UK:
– pork 🐖
– beef 🐄
– lamb & goat🐐
– cheese & dairy products 🧀🥛
➡️ Yep, that meant Mom couldn’t bring her beloved lactose-free cheese or milk.
➡️ And I had to leave my beef Yoggies treats at home!
So, what can pups bring into the UK (in luggage)?
– max 2 kg of pet food per person
– must be in its original, sealed packaging
– must be food that doesn’t need refrigeration
-❌ cannot contain banned meats (see list above)
– ✅ poultry, turkey, and fish are fine! 🐔🦃🐟 That’s why I packed my turkey kibble—straight in the original bag. No IKEA zip bags for now! ✔️
Kyon’s useful tips
Friends, there are a few things worth knowing before you head to the United Kingdom:
👉 Plugs – The Brits use a completely different type (the famous UK plug). Lucka says an adapter is essential. If you’re thinking, “Oh, we’ll just buy one there,” let me tell you our story: we left two perfectly good ones at home… had no time to shop at the border… and outside of tourist hotspots, finding one was tricky. Now we own three. So yeah – don’t forget yours!
👉 Driving on the left – Yep, really! And if you rent a British car, the steering wheel is on the opposite side too. If you bring your own car (like we did, a Czech one), overtaking takes some practice. But Lucka nailed it – only messed up once. And the second time? Back home in Prague, when she forgot and almost drove on the left again.
Sadly, my bully friends have it much tougher in England. Some breeds are on the banned list – like the Pit Bull, Tosa Inu, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, and even the XL Bully.
If they already have a family, they must get a special license, be microchipped, neutered, and always wear a muzzle and leash in public. Traveling into Britain is only possible with an exemption and the right certificate.
It makes me really sad, because I know that behind every muscular body is a dog’s heart that only longs for a safe home and a warm hug.