Make Traveling With Your Dog Special By Going To Bornholm 

Looking for an exciting vacation spot where you can take your pet for a truly wonderful time? 

Then look no further than Bornholm. Located in the Baltic sea, this lovely Danish island is famous for its sun, inviting nature, and love of animals. They even call their sunshine island a dog-friendly paradise. 

Bornholm is loaded with dog and cat-friendly hotels, unlike many popular travel spots. However, make sure to plan well ahead because these kinds of rooms go fast. But don’t fret too much about your hotel because you won’t be spending much time there as you can pretty much take your pet anywhere in Bornholm. 

Reasons Your Next Destination Should Be Bornholm

With the help of Innovet Pet, let’s check out why you should go to Bornholm. 

1. Stunning Scenery

From the dramatic coastline to the adorable and quaint fishing villages to adrenaline-pumping rock climbing, there is so much to see and do in Bornholm. Peer into medieval life by visiting one of Bornholm’s seven castles. Or hop on one of Bornholm’s many bicycle trails, which is a great way to burn off all those calories you’ll be consuming when you get your hands on authentic Bornholm food. 

2. A Taste Of Authentic Island Life 

Laid-back and exotic, if you’ve never visited an island before, Bornholm is a great place to experience island life. Travel + Leisure nominated Bornholm as the world's best island in 2018!

3. Foodie Paradise  

Bornholm is quickly becoming an island home to culinary heroes whose authentic Danish flairs create some of the most luxurious and exciting dishes around. 

From smokehouses famous for their fish smoked over alder wood fires to the annual Sol over Gudhjem competition, which features international chefs battling it out with local ingredients ( creating dishes that feature smoked herring with authentic herbs) you’re going to be stuffed to the brim. 

Requirements For Traveling With Your Pet

If you’re visiting Bornholm from Korr, which is a lovely ferry ride, then there is nothing special you’ll need to do or take to visit. However, If you’re visiting from Sweden, Germany, or another place, there are a number of requirements you’ll need to follow. 

1. Valid ID

All dogs and cats traveling into the EU or through it must have an ID microchip implanted. Getting your pet marked with an ID microchip is a brilliant idea whether you plan to travel with them or not. 

Make sure you always have the ID updated when you move or change phone numbers. As well, it is always a great idea to have your vet check the ID every couple of years in the extremely rare case it moved or malfunctioned. 

2. Valid Rabies Vaccination 

Both cats and dogs need to be vaccinated for rabies at least 21 days before departure. Both cats and dogs need to have their rabies vaccines updated — typically every 1-3 years depending on the animal's age. It’s important to look up every place you’re traveling to for unique restrictions concerning rabies vaccination. 

3. EU Pet Passport 

Just like you, your dog or cat will need an official passport. Your local veterinarian should be able to help you with this. 

As you can see, a trip to the vet is pretty much essential when you want to travel with your pet. Know more about EU Passport.

4. Notifying The Border Inspection Post 

If entering Sweden, you must notify the Swedish Customs authorities when you first arrive in the country. There are several ways you can notify them, from finding a “red point” check-in at the border to notifying the Swedish Customs via their website.

Safety Tips For Staying In Bornholm With Your Dog

There are only a few expectations where your dog can be off their leash in Bornholm such as on the beach from October to the end of March. Between April 1 and September 30, it’s mandatory that all dogs be leashed to protect the deer population, which are most often found in Bormholm’s gorgeous and numerous forests. 

Speaking of Bornholm’s forests, many of them are, of course, dog friendly, including Almindingen forest and the appropriately named Blykobbe Plantage dog forest. 

If you and your dog find yourself in Dueodde forest between July and August, keep a close eye out for big hairy caterpillars known as Thaumetopoea pinivora. 

These big dudes have poisonous hairs that can hurt your dog or cat if they lick or sniff them. Most often, an allergic reaction that causes some inflammation is the most that occurs. 

However, in very rare cases, it can cause gangrene of the tongue. Dogs coming across these caterpillars is pretty rare; only about one case per year is reported. 

Tips For Traveling With Your Dog

Above, we mentioned that there are many restrictions you have to take into account when traveling with your dog to another country. 

But setting you and your pup up for a successful trip doesn’t just end there. Here is some more great advice to follow when traveling with your dog.

First up, if your dog doesn’t have car-riding experience, getting them used to long rides in the car is essential. 

Not only will it help them get used to long travels but it also helps you find out if your dog needs anything special. 

Some dogs get motion sickness no matter the trip, and many dogs struggle with their anxiety flaring up even when they love car rides. 

Medication is available for both and many pet owners find CBD kills two birds with one stone, helping out both problems significantly. 

Next, ensuring your dog is safe and secure with a safety harness is so important. A crate is a great idea as well. 

This will greatly reduce the risk to your dog if you’re in an accident, where, in most cases, it’s safer for the dog to stay in the car. 

Last, always make sure you bring the essentials; this includes leashes, food & water bowls, and a comfortable blanket/familiar toy.