Stress-Free Travel: Taking Your Dog to France on LeShuttle

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photograph : leshuttle

From Animal Health Certificates, Rabies Vaccinations to Pet Reception, we offer expert tips on taking your four-legged friend to France via LeShuttle

Thinking of taking your dog on LeShuttle ? Your not the only ones. Did you know that 1 in 8 journeys on LeShuttle have a pet on board. In fact over 360,000 pets travelled in 2025 alone!

The beauty of using LeShuttle is that pets to remain with their owners in the car during the 35-minute crossing from Folkestone to Calais, a key factor in reducing stress for animals.

Anyone visiting the continent with their dog knows that preparation is the key to success. But, if you're new to Le Shuttle or need a little guidance, look no further.

We've tested the Le Shuttle with our dog, and consulted the experts so you don't have to. From organising an Animal Health certificate to taking dog food abroad, we've got the answers to the most-asked questions.

‘’ Travelling with your pet is highly rewarding, but it requires thoughtful preparation to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all," says Dr. Sarah Endersby BVetMed (Hons) MRCVS, Global Technical Manager Behaviour at Ceva Animal Health.

" Preparing is not only about having the right equipment, but also understanding the travel regulations in your destination country, arranging comfortable travel conditions, and anticipating your pet’s needs throughout the journey and once you arrive," Dr.Endersby told Smart Bark.

She added " Your vet is always the best source of advice, so I would recommend planning a pre-travel visit to ensure relevant vaccinations are up to date and to get tailored guidance for your destination and travel. It’s also essential to check that your pet’s microchip is registered with your most up-to-date contact details.”

⏰ UPDATED : JUNE 2026 We've updated this article with the latest travel advice regarding the Animal Health Check

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Planning Your Paw-fect Trip to France

1. Animal Health Certificate (Pet Passport)

2. Rabies Vaccination

3. Tapeworm Treatment for Dogs

4. Travelling on LeShuttle with Your Dog

5. Feeding your Dog in France

Planning Your Paw-fect Trip to France

1. Animal Health Certificate

An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) is a mandatory document for pets travelling from the UK to France. It confirms that your animal meets the necessary health requirements for entry into the European Union.

Unlike the older Pet Passport, the newer Certificate is valid for one trip to Europe (up to 4 months), so you will need a new certificate each time you travel.

An AHC costs approximately £100 initially, but can be cheaper for subsequent pets.

photograph : shutterstock

This may well be changing with the recent agreements between the UK and Europe, and we will update this article to reflect the most recent information.

As of 22nd April 2026, the older Pet Passport is no longer valid for anyone living in England, Scotland or Wales.

So how do you go about organising an Animal Health Certificate ?

The key point here is that it cannot be issued more than 10 days before you travel. So once you have your travel dates secured, we'd recommend contacting your vet and booking in an AHC appointment.

photograph : smart bark

Ready for Your Pet's Travel Consultation?

Your vet will do a quick health check and chat through all the important bits about your trip. To make sure everything goes smoothly, it's a great idea to bring along the following details:

✅ Your full details, name, mobile number and address

✅ Name of pet(s) travelling

✅ Destination

✅ Time and Date of travel

✅ Route (airplane, car, or ferry)

✅ Microchip details

✅ Rabies Vaccination & date given

You'll need to carry your AHC with you throughout your trip. Your vet will complete it, and it will be checked and stamped by LeShuttle staff before you depart and return.

Additionally, a French vet must stamp it after administering the required tapeworm treatment before your return to the UK.

2. Rabies Vaccination

OK, let's talk about the Rabies Vaccination.

Whilst the UK is free from rabies, your dog must be vaccinated against Rabies to travel to anywhere in Europe.

Rabies is not part of the standard vaccination courses so you'll probably need to organise a vaccination with your vet.

Note that an AHC can only be issued 21 days after a Rabies vaccination, so get organised, the earlier you can get your dog vaccinated the better.

Lastly, microchipping is another essential requirement, but as this is a legal requirement anyway, let's assume you've got that one covered.

photograph : smart bark

3. Tapeworm Treatment for Dogs

There's one crucial step left before heading back to the UK: your dog needs tapeworm treatment from a vet.

This must be done between 1 and 5 days before your return. We found it easiest to search for vets online and book this appointment before our holiday even started!

If your trip is a short one (five days or less), you can get this treatment done by a UK vet before you leave, saving you a job while you're away!

Make sure to take your Animal Health Certificate with you as the vet will need to complete a section verifying the tapeworm treatment for the return journey.

photograph : shutterstock

We thought we'd mention that the tapeworm treatment is in the form of a tablet.

⭐️ TOP TIP ⭐️

If your dog is a picky eater and refuses to take tablets, we suggest trying cheese or another method to disguise the medication. The last thing you want is to spend your valuable holiday time at the vets, struggling to get your dog to take a pill!

4. Travelling on LeShuttle with Your Dog

So that's the paperwork covered, but what can you expect during a LeShuttle (formerly known as Eurotunnel) crossing with your dog ?

It's an incredibly convenient way to start your holiday with a short 35 minute crossing from Folkestone to Calais.

In fact it's so popular that over 4.5million pets have chosen LeShuttle's Pet Travel Scheme since the launch back in 2000.

Lots of dog lovers prefer LeShuttle to the ferry, as you can stay with your dog throughout the journey, making it less stressful.

photograph : smart bark

Both the British and French side of LeShuttle have a dedicated Pet Reception open 24 hours a day.

It's worth mentioning that the Folkestone Pet Reception is located AFTER Check-in, next to the Passenger Terminal Building. The Calais Pet Reception is located BEFORE Check-in (yep, we nearly missed it !).

photograph : smart bark

When you head to Pet Reception, remember to bring your dog, their Animal Health Certificate, and the Boarding Pass you received at Check-in.

The staff will then quickly scan your dog's microchip, examine and stamp your certificate.

photograph : smart bark

We'd recommend allowing some extra time to not only visit the Pet Reception to complete the paperwork, but also the Pet Exercise Area (aptly named Walkies), so your dog can relax and stretch their legs before the crossing. Don't forget those poop bags!

This off-lead area will not only help your dog burn off energy but also gives you both a chance to enjoy some fresh air and maybe even meet some other pups!

‘’ Avoid feeding pets right before departure to prevent motion sickness and always provide fresh water," advises Dr Sarah Endersby.

She suggests: " For longer trips, plan frequent stops for exercise, interaction and reassurance, and hydration."

" If your dog's motion sickness is tied to stress or travel anxiety, and if your dog can stomach them, treats such as calming chews before the trip or long-lasting snacks can be a positive distraction. If motion sickness persists, speak to your vet, who may prescribe anti-nausea medication.” Dr Endersby recommends

photograph : forthglade

🐾 Planning a longer trip with your dog? If your dog struggles in the car, tackle it before you travel. Our plain-English guide covers everything from causes and symptoms to tried and tested solutions. Dog Travel Sickness : Causes, Symptoms and How to Help Your Dog

A Heads-Up on Dog Food!

It's really important to mention that there are restrictions on the plant and animal products you can bring with you to France and this unfortunately includes dog food.

Now, don't panic! While you can't bring any meat-based dog food (that includes wet, dry, or raw) into France, you can bring fish-based dog food, up to 20kg.

So, we have a super easy solution: we suggest temporarily swapping your dog onto a delicious fish-based dog food recipe for your trip.

Resealable dry food that doesn't require refrigeration is ideal. For example, Forthglade's Cold-Pressed Salmon dry dog food is an excellent option.

Another option to consider is swapping to a vegan dog food for your holiday. Wilsons offer a premium cold-pressed vegan dog food in both 2kg and 10kg bags.

photograph : smart bark

And remember, these rules apply to dog treats too! So, when packing those yummy treats, look for plant-based dog treats like Forthglade's Honey & Banana Rewards.

Just remember if your dog suffers from car sickness it's a good idea to keep food and treats to a minimum whilst travelling.

Special Perks for LeShuttle Customers!

So why are we mentioning Forthglade ? Well, we're excited to share that Forthglade is an official partner of LeShuttle! This means if you're a LeShuttle customer, you can enjoy exclusive offers and even free samples of Forthglade goodies for your dog to try at the terminal this summer.

Feeding Your Dog a Raw Diet in France

If your dog is currently on a raw diet, finding suitable options in France can be a bit challenging, and we certainly want to avoid any upset tummies! Here are a couple of approaches to consider:

You'll find that complete raw dog food isn't typically available in French supermarkets, pet shops, or even at vets. However, you can readily purchase raw meat for dogs from any butcher.

photograph : smart bark

Keep in mind that the raw meat from a butcher won't be a "complete" raw food, meaning it won't have all the necessary vitamins and minerals your dog needs. After extensive research we decided to bridge this nutritional gap by adding Raw Aid from GWF Nutrition.

Raw Aid comes in a convenient, resealable bag in the form of small pellets.

It provides 27 essential vitamins and and minerals, which are crucial for your dog's well-being on a raw diet. It's designed as a supplement to be added to the meat (and some vegetables) you buy locally, you'll help ensure your dog maintains optimal health every day.

It certainly gave us piece of mind that we could buy readily available meat from local butchers or supermarkets and create our own quality raw dog food for the duration.

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View on GWF Nutrition

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photograph : smart bark

Back to the journey !

Once you've driven aboard, it's just a 35-minute journey! That's plenty of time to hop out of your car and stretch your legs. Best of all, your dog stays right with you the entire time! Simply unhook the car safety tether and snap on a lead.

We found it a completely hassle-free way to travel to France.

The return leg works in the same way, with the staff at Calais checking -

• your dog's microchip

• rabies vaccination

• tapeworm treatment

  
  

Pets can travel on LeShuttle for just £23 per pet each way with registered Guide and Assistance Dogs travelling for free.

photograph : smart bark

For even more detailed guidance on travelling to France with your dog, you'll find a wealth of resources on these official websites:

• LeShuttle: leshuttle.com/uk-en/travelling-with-us/travelling-with-pets

• UK Government Advice: gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad

  
  

Not ready to cross the Channel just yet? The UK has plenty of properly dog-focused options too. We recently spent four days at Lovat Parks' Green Hill Farm in the New Forest, with on-site dog amenities and direct access to forest trails. Worth a look while you build up to the big trip.

Need More Information?

Before you hit the road, check out our other helpful article all about planning a smooth, dog-friendly adventure! We share tried-and-tested solutions for common travel challenges, with reviews on everything from boot liners and car seat covers to hydration gear and first aid kits.

Prefer to stay closer to home? Check out our review of Shacks' off-grid cabins – a luxury dog-friendly alternative for genuine UK escape.

Or, if a UK cottage break is on the horizon, our guide to choosing the best dog-friendly cottage covers exactly what to look for . From enclosed gardens to hard floors, so you and your dog arrive to a place that's genuinely set up for you.

We hope this article has offered you lots of extra info about travelling with your dog to France.

Bon Voyage from the Smart Bark team!