As of 1st January 2021, the UK will become a Part 2 Listed Country regarding the European Union and pet travel.
Anyone travelling to, or through, Europe with a pet cat, ferret or dog (including assistance dogs) will no longer be able to use their UK issued Pet Passport.
To travel from 1st January 2021 pets will need to be issued with an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) that can only be issued by an Official Vet (OV). The AHC must be used within 10 days of issue and is only valid for one single trip. It will be valid for return to the UK within 4 months of issue. Once the pet has entered the EU it will be valid onward travel within the EU for 4 months OR when the rabies vaccine expires.
It will only be valid for the travel of non-commercial dogs, cats and ferrets. A maximum of 5 pets will be allowed to travel with owners unless the purpose of travel is for competitions/shows/sporting events or training. You will need written evidence of registration to prove this.
To qualify for an AHC pets must be microchipped and be vaccinated against rabies a minimum of 21 days before travel. Pets must be 12 weeks old to have a rabies vaccine. If the pet is remaining in the EU for the duration of the stay, they no longer need to have a rabies blood test.
For return to the UK dogs must be given a tapeworm treatment 24 to 120 hours before travel and this must be administered and recorded by a veterinary surgeon.
If you are a UK national living in the EU and plan to travel with a UK issued Pet Passport you should speak to your vet. They will help to ensure you are compliant with the EU Pet Travel Regulations.
5 things to buy your pet this Christmas
We might be celebrating Christmas differently this year, but one thing remains the same – presents! Here are a few that your pets might like to find under the tree…
Of course, we owners know our pets are always the star of the show, but this Christmas why not make sure your dog lights up the room – and the park, pavement, field… with a safe illuminated collar or tag? There are lots of options available to keep your pet safe and make them look magical this Christmas.
Cheers! If you want to try giving your pet a different drink as a treat this Christmas (although your pet may agree with us that plain water is best 😉) then several companies make pet-friendly non-alcoholic pet ‘wine’ or ‘beer’. Check out Pawsecco or Bottom Sniffer for dogs, Snuffle meat-flavoured beer and Pinot Meow catnip wine, available from a selection of retailers.
After a busy morning unwrapping presents when everyone just needs to rest and digest, a boredom-busting activity toy will keep your pet occupied and help them have some quiet, calm time. Look for good quality, safety-tested toys. We like Kong company’s selection of durable chew toys and puzzle feeders available at kongcompany.com and from pet retailers.
Looking for the ultimate customised pet apparel? Why not buy a kit so you can knit your own pet’s jumper – for Christmas and beyond? We found great kits for dogs of all sizes (and sphynx cats) at woolandthegang.com and weareknitters.co.uk
One for when Christmas is over (boo). For pets that are struggling with not having their owners at home all the time, a remote pet camera can help you keep an eye on them and give reassurance for you both. Some will alert you to barking, others allow you to speak to your pet or even toss them a treat. The Furbo dog camera (available from various retailers) even lets you use your Alexa to dispense treats regularly.
We hope you won’t need us this Christmas but if you’re worried about your pet’s health you can rest assured the PetGP Vet Nurses are available 24 hours a day for friendly expert advice.
Written by Gill Holloway RVN
Celebrations may not be quite the same this year, but where possible, we will all be trying to catch up with friends and family at this special time. And while we can still indulge in our favourite traditional food, some of it isn’t so good for our pets. Here are some of the foods that should not be on the menu for pets (at any time of year).
Entrées and Mains
Onions, garlic, leeks and chives are super tasty but they can cause serious blood problems if pets eat even a tiny amount. As well as being the star of a dish, at festive times they can be hiding in soups, sauces, bread, stuffing, accompaniments, pickles, preserves, crackers. Spices can cause an excess of gas in your pets stomach which can be dangerous in large breed dogs!
Like all fatty foods, turkey skin, gravy, ham and other pork products can be difficult for pets to digest and may even cause a painful condition called pancreatitis in dogs and cats. You should seal that carcass carefully before tossing in a secure (pooch-proof) rubbish bin. Poultry and turkey bones can be sharp and cause vomiting and serious internal damage to your pet if they obstruct or puncture the stomach or guts.
Accompaniments
Raisins, sultanas, grapes and currants: did you know that just one of these little tasty fruits can actually kill your pet by causing kidney failure? Mince pies, Christmas Cake and Christmas Pudding are all tempting for your pet! And it’s not just sweet treats that are the culprits (more on those later). At Christmas time these dried fruits can be lurking in sauces, bread stuffing’s, accompaniments, pickles, preserves.
Lactose intolerant dogs or cats who eat mashed potatoes with milk or butter could end up with vomiting and diarrhoea, or even pancreatitis due to the fat content.
If you’re whipping up a batch of fresh home baked bread (yum!), don’t let your pet have any uncooked yeasted dough. It can cause a very serious condition called bloat or a twisted stomach.
Desserts
Chocolate should be kept for humans only as it’s poisonous to dogs and cats. Advent calendars, selection boxes, tins of chocolates, chocolate Santa’s, Chocolate tree decorations, the list goes on!!
Some sugar free candy and baked goods contain a sweetener called xylitol which is also toxic.
Macadamia nuts can make your dog vomit and become weak, give him diarrhoea and could cause pancreatitis too, due to their high fat content. And they’re a choking hazard for smaller breeds.
Pets that eat wrappers and packaging to get to the tempting food inside, could develop a serious blockage internally. Another common cause of blockages at this time of year is tinsel, or any type of decoration really! Cats and dogs love chasing and chewing these shiny objects so keep them out of harm’s way.
Keep pets away from candles, fireworks, lanterns and any naked flames.
Give them somewhere quiet and secure to rest.
We hope you find our tips helpful. Enjoy a happy and safe celebration!