Crossing with Dog, Cat or Ferret
All three operators carry pets on this route. The crossing itself is the easy part - the UK and EU paperwork is what needs planning, in both directions.
- Pets travel with all three operators
- Dogs-only lounges with P&O and Irish Ferries
- Paperwork differs by direction
Pets on the Dover - Calais ferry
Table of Contents
The 90-minute crossing is the least of a pet's problems - dogs, cats and ferrets ride it daily in both directions. What decides whether the trip works is paperwork issued days or weeks earlier, and it differs by direction. This page covers the rules for both legs and what each operator offers on board.
The paperwork, by direction
Great Britain to France. A pet leaving GB needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination (with a 21-day wait after a first vaccination) and - for GB-resident animals - an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an official vet. The AHC must be used to enter the EU within 10 days of issue; under the current EU rules it then covers onward travel in the EU and the return journey for up to six months. EU-issued pet passports remain valid for EU-resident animals. Up to five pets may travel per vehicle, and the animal must travel within days of its owner if you cross separately.
France to Great Britain. The same identity and rabies requirements apply, with one addition that catches people out: dogs need a tapeworm treatment administered by a vet between 24 and 120 hours before arrival in GB, recorded in the document. Book the French vet before the return sailing, not after check-in closes. Entry to GB with a pet must use an approved route - this ferry crossing is the classic one - and errors end in quarantine, at the owner's cost.
Assistance dogs travel under their own recognised documentation with all operators, including for foot passengers.
On board, by operator
- P&O Ferries: pets are registered at booking against a small per-crossing fee and stay in the vehicle - or you book the Pet Lounge, a dogs-only lounge for one dog and one adult with deck access, exclusive to this route. Assistance dogs travel free.
- DFDS: pets stay in the vehicle (secure carrier recommended, alarm off); owners cannot stay on the car deck, but Guest Services can arrange a visit during the crossing when operations allow. Advance registration is mandatory.
- Irish Ferries: the choice is the vehicle (free) or the Pet Den, a supervised pet lounge with an outdoor walkway, against a fee. Check-in with a pet closes 90 minutes before departure, and motorcyclists with pets must book the Pet Den. Foot passengers with pets are only handled via kennel or Pet Den arrangements.
Whichever operator: register the pet in the booking, bring water for the car, and leave the crossing's timing margin for the pet check at the kiosk.
Ferry or tunnel with a dog
The paperwork is identical on both crossings - it belongs to the border, not the boat. LeShuttle keeps the dog beside you for 35 minutes; the ferry means 90 minutes in the vehicle or a pet lounge, plus sea air on deck for you. Nervous animals often do better with the shorter tunnel crossing; sociable dogs are fine either way. The full comparison is on ferry vs Eurotunnel.
FAQ
Frequent questions about pet travel
Does my dog stay in the car?+
By default yes, on all three operators - water ready, window a crack open, alarm off. The alternatives are P&O's Pet Lounge and Irish Ferries' Pet Den, both bookable for dogs; DFDS lets you visit the car deck via Guest Services when operations allow.
What papers does a UK-based dog need?+
Microchip, valid rabies vaccination (21 days waiting after a first vaccination) and an Animal Health Certificate from an official vet - the AHC must be used to enter the EU within 10 days of issue and now covers onward EU travel and the return for up to 6 months. EU-issued pet passports remain valid for EU-based animals.
What is the tapeworm rule for the return?+
Dogs entering Great Britain need a vet-administered tapeworm treatment no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours before arrival, recorded in the AHC or passport. Plan the French vet appointment before the return crossing - without it, the dog does not board.
Can foot passengers bring pets?+
Not with P&O, except registered assistance dogs. Irish Ferries handles foot passengers with pets only via its kennel and Pet Den arrangements. The workable default with a pet is crossing with a vehicle.
Do pets need their own booking?+
Yes - register the pet when you book, pay the small per-crossing fee, and plan check-in 90 minutes ahead with Irish Ferries. A maximum of five pets per vehicle applies under the UK rules.