Muzzle, Mindset & Micronutrients – the Honest Checklist for a Stress-Free Trip with Your Four-Legged Friend
Why this article?
Traveling with a dog is one of the most beautiful things ever. Hiking together, sitting by the sea, waking up in a foreign city and realizing that your dog is just as happy about the new bed as they are at home. For this to really work, a little preparation is needed – in two directions: the organizational (keywords muzzle, pet passport, entry requirements) and the emotional (keyword: How does my dog stay calm?).
This is exactly why BUMAS and Biogena Pets have teamed up. We take care of what goes on the outside – a custom-made muzzle that really fits. Biogena Pets takes care of what works on the inside – natural micronutrients for more composure. Both together make for pretty good travel preparation.
Part 1: Why you need a muzzle when traveling
First, most important message: A muzzle is not a punishment device. It is a travel document – just like the pet passport. There are a number of situations during a trip where you, as a dog owner, are either legally required to have a muzzle with you, or it is simply extremely smart to do so.
Public Transport
In Austria, practically all public transport – subway, tram, bus, regional train – requires dogs that are not traveling in a transport box to be on a leash and wear a muzzle. This is not regionally "interpretable" differently: As soon as your dog enters public transport, the muzzle is part of it.
The situation is similar on ÖBB trains: Dogs not traveling in a box must be on a leash and wear a muzzle. The same applies to Deutsche Bahn and most other train operators in Europe.
Cable cars, lifts, tourism infrastructure
Anyone vacationing in Austria – whether it's a mountain summer or a ski holiday with the dog on the chairlift – will quickly realize that cable cars, mountain railways, and lifts usually require a leash and muzzle. Also, in many restaurants and tourist establishments, dogs are only allowed on the lap or under the table with a muzzle.
Ferries and planes
On ferries, rules vary depending on the country and provider. Croatian ferries, for example, often require a muzzle, as do many Italian and French providers. A muzzle may also be required on planes – depending on the airline and type of dog – especially if the dog is traveling in the cargo hold.
General rule: If you're traveling for more than a day trip and leaving the country, you should always have a suitable muzzle with you. It's much more pleasant to know it's in your bag and not need it than to realize at the port or train station that you can't continue your journey.
Country-specific regulations
Some countries go further: in parts of Italy, Spain and France, a muzzle is generally mandatory in public for certain breeds. In some regions of Germany, there are regulations for "list dogs" (breeds considered dangerous). If you are traveling across borders with your dog, you should know the regulations of the destination country AND all transit countries – even a gas station stop in a foreign country can be subject to muzzle requirements.
What makes a good travel muzzle
A travel muzzle shouldn't be the model that was once in the cupboard and immediately ripped off during the first portrait photo. It must:
• fit perfectly – no pinching, no rubbing, no falling off
• allow panting – so allow enough depth for the dog to breathe, drink, and take treats even in warm weather
• be light – nothing is more strenuous than a heavy muzzle on a long train journey
• be waterproof and easy to clean – travel is travel, rain happens, mud happens
• not look off-putting – important in contact with other travelers and hosts
This is exactly why there are BUMAS muzzles made of Biothane. Custom-made in Austria, individually adapted to your dog's snout, light, waterproof, and in over 30 colors. We exclusively work with sufficient panting room – meaning your dog can wear the muzzle and still behave normally. When traveling, this is not "nice to have," but mandatory.
Part 2: How to prepare your dog mentally and physically for the journey
The second part of travel preparation is often underestimated. We pack the crate, the bowl, the favorite toy – and forget that our dog doesn't know what's happening. Everything is new to them: the car drives longer than usual, the noises at the airport are unfamiliar, the hotel room smells different, other dogs are marking everywhere. This is stress. And stress that impacts the dog unprepared can turn the most beautiful vacation into a burden.
1. Make the muzzle a routine in good time
The most common mistake: The muzzle comes out of its packaging for the first time on the day of departure. Please don't. Plan at least 3-4 weeks in advance. Let your dog sniff the muzzle first, put it on loosely, give a treat, then take it off again. Gradually increase the time: first 10 seconds, then a minute, then a short walk. The goal is not for the dog to tolerate the muzzle – the goal is for them to associate it with something positive.
2. Practice modes of transport
If you are traveling by train, take a short ride beforehand. If you are flying, practice the transport crate at home: first leave it open, then with treats, then with the door closed for a few minutes. If you are driving, plan extensive test drives beforehand, ideally to a pleasant destination – so that the dog associates car rides with good memories.
3. Check documents (really all of them)
• EU Pet Passport readily available
• Valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel)
• Match microchip number with passport data
• Check entry requirements of the destination country (some require additional treatments, e.g., tapeworm prophylaxis for UK, Ireland, Norway, Finland)
• Note down insurance documents and vet contact details at the holiday destination
4. Your dog's luggage
• Familiar food for the entire duration of the trip + reserve – changing food while traveling is a bad idea for the stomach
• Own water bowl and water from home for the first few days
• Blanket or cover from the dog's bed at home (smells like home)
• Favorite toy and chew items for on-the-go entertainment
• First-aid kit including tick tweezers and, if necessary, calming aids
5. Targeted support for inner peace: Biogena Pets Relax Drops
This is where Biogena Pets Relax Drops come into play. They are not a miracle cure or a tranquilizer in the pharmacological sense – but a well-thought-out combination of natural micronutrients that supports your dog's nervous system during challenging phases.
Specifically, the Relax Drops contain:
• Valerian, hops, and lemon balm – proven plant substances known for their calming effects
• L-Tryptophan – an amino acid that plays a role in the formation of serotonin
• Magnesium – supports the normal function of nerves and muscles
• Vitamin B complex – involved in proper nerve function
The drops are ideal for dogs that are sensitive to environmental stimuli – precisely what a trip can trigger. They are particularly suitable for situations such as car rides, thunderstorms, fireworks, or unfamiliar environments.
Application: 1 ml per 10 kg body weight daily, simply administer with food. Dogs like the taste, which makes acceptance easier. Important: Ideally, start administering a few days before the trip, not just on the day of departure – micronutrients need time to develop their supportive effect.
6. Breaks and Routine
On longer car journeys, plan a break every 2-3 hours – not just for relieving themselves, but also for moving around and drinking. Try to maintain usual feeding times as much as possible. Dogs love routine – and when traveling, a meal at the usual time is a piece of home.
Part 3: During the trip – the small things with big impact
• Arrive without haste: Let your dog explore the new environment in peace before exposing them to the next stimulus. First impressions count – even for four-legged friends.
• Prepare a sleeping place: Lay out the blanket you brought along as soon as you arrive. Familiar scent = faster calming down.
• Consider the heat: Never leave your dog in the car during summer trips – at just 20 degrees Celsius outside, it quickly becomes life-threatening in the car. A muzzle with sufficient panting room is particularly important here: The dog must be able to cool down.
• Keep the muzzle handy: Not in your suitcase, but in your hand luggage. You'll need it at train stations, on buses, and in many hotels even when checking in.
• Continue giving Relax Drops: Even during the travel days, not just in preparation. The complementary support works continuously.
Conclusion
A relaxed trip with your dog doesn't happen on the day of departure – it happens in the weeks leading up to it. If you make the muzzle a routine early on, check the necessary documents, and reduce your dog's stress with targeted micronutrient support, you've already done most of the work.
Biogena Pets and BUMAS complement each other perfectly here: a custom-made Biothane muzzle from Vienna for external preparation – Relax Drops for internal preparation. Both made in Austria, both driven by the belief that our dogs simply deserve better.
Have a good trip!
P.S.: With the discount code BUMAS10, you get 10% off all Biogena Pets products.
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