Sweden with a dog

07/08/2023

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Sweden is a fantastic country to go on holiday with your dog. Lots of nature, lots of rest and pure relaxation. In this article I will explain what you should know before you go on holiday with your dog in Sweden. Starting with the entry regulations, through tips for the journey to the rules of conduct on site.

Contents

  1. Traveling to Sweden with a dog: Vaccination and Co.
  2. Customs declaration dog Sweden
  3. Entry into Norway via Sweden
  4. Arrival to Sweden via Denmark
  5. Arrival to Sweden by ferry
  6. Code of conduct for dogs in Sweden
  7. Mosquitoes in Sweden: tips
  8. Sweden with a dog: experiences and sights

All entry requirements for dogs in Sweden

First of all, the entry rules for dogs in Sweden are the same as in the rest of the EU. These state that your dog...
... must have an ID tag (chip or tattoo for older animals),
… must have a pet ID card (always carry it with you),
… must be vaccinated against rabies
... and is at least three months old.

Customs declaration dog Sweden

In addition to this, it is necessary for you to register your dog with customs. You can easily do this online or you can report directly to the customs officers at the border.
Click here for easy online registration.

Are there bans on dog breeds in Sweden?

What will make many dog owners very happy: Sweden has no bans on certain dog breeds. By the way, I explain how you can travel through Denmark with a list dog under Arrival.

How many dogs can I take to Sweden?

You can take up to five dogs with you to Sweden. If you want to take more than five dogs with you to Sweden, you must prove that you are going to an exhibition or competition.

Important note for traveling with a dog to Norway via Sweden
Important: if you enter Norway via Sweden, you must also have a tapeworm treatment carried out in the five days before entry. We did this at the veterinary clinic in Gällivare, where we were able to secure an appointment online in advance. The veterinary clinic has various locations in Sweden. We can highly recommend them.

Here you can book: Online booking - Lapland's Djurklinik

By the way, the treatment is called in the booking system (dropdown): avmaskning intyg i pass > deworming certificate in the passport

Many roads lead to Sweden: How to travel to Sweden with a dog

Sweden is easily accessible from Germany. So you can arrive via the mainland (Denmark) or book one of the many ferries. I have attached a detailed explanation of all the options you have when traveling to Sweden with a dog.

Sweden Directions: Across the Danish mainland (with the Øresund Bridge) to Sweden
If you want to avoid a ferry ride, you can easily travel to Sweden via Denmark. The journey from Flensburg to Malmö takes around four hours. By the way, you will pass two bridges that are subject to tolls: The Storebaelt Bridge and the Øresund Bridge. You pay for both bridges directly on site at a toll station. Together they cost around 60 euros for a car in each direction.

Travel through Denmark to Sweden with a list dog. That's how it's done.

First of all, an overview of which dogs are actually listed. And indeed these are some:

  • Pit bull terrier
  • Tosa Inu
  • American Staffordshire Terriers
  • Fila Brasileiro
  • Dogo Argentino (Argentine Mastiff)
  • American bulldog
  • Boerboel
  • Kangal
  • Central Asian Ovcharka
  • Caucasian Ovcharka
  • South Russian Ovcharka
  • tornjak
  • Sarplaninac

Also note that Denmark also considers mixed breed dogs that look similar to these breeds as listed dogs. But even if you are not allowed to go on holiday with a list dog in Denmark, you can still drive through. However, things are strict here too, so walking around in public is forbidden.

Getting to Sweden by ferry and dog

Do you want to avoid transit through Denmark or save a few kilometers? Then you and your dog can take the ferry to Sweden. I have listed the most dog-friendly ferries to Sweden for you.

Which ferry to Sweden is dog friendly? All dog-friendly ferries to Sweden at a glance.

Ferry from Frederikshavn to Gothenburg (Stenaline)

  • Travel time of 3 hours and 15 minutes.
  • Dogs travel free of charge (however, specify the dog under "Extras and meals on board" when booking.)
  • Conditions vary depending on which ship you are sailing on:
  • Stena Jutlandica: Dog can stay in the car (no visit possible). Alternatively stay in the dog area on deck 7.
  • Stena Danica: Dogs are allowed in the car (no visits possible) or in a separate area on decks 8 and 9. Dogs are not allowed in the car from May to August.
  • Stena Vinga: Dogs are allowed in the car (no visits possible) or in a separate dog lounge with 15 seats. Staying in the car is prohibited from May to August.

Ferry from Travemünde to Trelleborg (Finnlines)

  • Sailing time of 9 hours
  • Dog cabins available
  • outlet areas available

Ferry from Rostock to Trelleborg (Stena-Lines and TT-Lines)

  • Crossing duration of 6 hours
  • Dog cabins available
  • Exercise areas available (dogs are allowed in some areas)

Ferry from Sassnitz to Ystad (FRS)

  • Travel time of 2.5 hours
  • Dogs are allowed on board in designated areas

Ferry from Rostock to Gedser

  • Journey time of 2.5 hours - several crossings a day
  • Dogs allowed on deck
  • Continue via Øresund Bridge or connecting ferry from Helsingor to Helsingborg (20 min drive, several times a day).

Ferry from Puttgarden to Rødbyhavn

  • Travel time of 45 minutes
  • Multiple departures a day
  • Dogs must stay in the car
  • Must continue across the Øresund Bridge

Ferry from Kiel to Gothenburg (Stenaline)

  • 14 hour crossing time
  • Dog cabins available (different categories)
  • Exercise areas and dog toilet available

Are dogs allowed on the beach in Sweden? How dog friendly is Sweden? Code of conduct for dogs in Sweden

With its vast nature, Sweden is a real paradise for dogs. However, you should know these rules:
In Sweden and Norway, a leash is mandatory in public places (including campsites). From March 1st to August 20th, leashes are compulsory in Sweden, including outdoors.
Dogs are not allowed on the beach everywhere in Sweden. Dog beaches are marked with the sign "Hundebadsplats".
Dogs, on the other hand, are welcome on most lakes, if not, there are signs.
Dog waste must always be cleared away.
Dogs are only allowed to a limited extent in restaurants. The reason is that allergy sufferers should be protected.

Traveling to Sweden with a dog: mosquito repellent

I have already written here about our experiences with mosquitoes in Sweden (click here for the mosquitoes in Sweden article). And so much in advance: you shouldn't go on holiday in Sweden completely unprepared. Therefore I would like to describe my experiences and tips in dealing with mosquitoes and explain how you can protect yourself and your dog.
Of course, we first think of the classic mosquito when it comes to holidays in Sweden. And I can tell you, the variety of biting insects in Sweden is great. We were harassed by mosquitoes, midgets, horse flies,  wasps, hornets and ticks. And the more north we went, the worse it got. By the way, I can give you the all-clear for the south of Sweden. It wasn't that wild here, the mosquito plague in Sweden around the Arctic Circle is really unpleasant. However, there are ticks everywhere.

How dangerous are mosquitoes in Sweden for dogs?

Insect bites are also painful for your dog, but they are usually not a major threat. Mosquitoes especially like to bite where your dog has little fur. Check him regularly for swelling, redness, or if he is itchy. As with humans, you can support faster healing with an ointment. Make sure you only use medications that are approved for your dog.
Incidentally, Sweden has not yet been considered a risk area in terms of the transmission of diseases by mosquitoes. Due to climate change, you should always protect your dog sufficiently (see below for more on this), as risk areas are moving further north.

Bees and wasp stings in dogs: what to do?

The situation is a bit more dangerous if your dog is stung by a bee or wasp. If the stinger is still in the skin, you should remove it immediately with tweezers. Then you have to cool the puncture site. Incidentally, onion and vinegar are effective home remedies. A sting in the mouth or throat can quickly become an emergency. If your dog shows symptoms such as shortness of breath, shock, tremors or vomiting, you must notify a veterinarian immediately. While waiting or driving, you can help your dog in the following ways:

  1. Place your dog in a stable side position and position the head in an open pose. The pharynx should be stretched so that the windpipe stays straight and your dog can get as much oxygen as possible.
  2. Warm your dog's body, for example with a blanket or aluminum foil.
  3. Keep calm and get help if possible.
  4. Extra tip: Before you go on vacation in a foreign country, save the telephone numbers of the veterinary clinics in your mobile phone.

Ticks in Sweden: Danger for the dog?

In fact, ticks can also become a real threat to your dog in Sweden, as they transmit dangerous diseases. You should therefore provide your dog with effective protection, check it regularly and remove ticks immediately.

Prevention: How to protect your dog from ticks and mosquitoes in Sweden

So that your dog is not stung or bitten in the first place, it is important that you equip your dog with effective protection.
Ideally, you should use a repellent, i.e. one that will deter mosquitoes and ticks from biting or biting your dog at a distance. Be sure to get advice from your veterinarian, as they know best what your dog needs and can tolerate. Also ask for an ointment if you find out that your dog has been bitten while on vacation.
Important: Never use a bug spray intended for humans on your dog. These sprays are toxic to dogs.

Sweden with a dog: experiences and sights

We traveled through Sweden with our dog for a month and loved it. The vastness, the wild nature, the beautiful lakes where you can relax. Frieda also enjoyed the trip very much. We even looked at one or the other sight in Sweden with our dog. Of course, the beautiful national parks and nature parks of Sweden were at the forefront. The dog-friendly Tivedens National Park definitely enchanted us. Well signposted hiking trails lead through a magical, enchanted forest and along the clear lake again and again.

Here is the detailed travel report

But we can also recommend the Stendörrens nature reserve for a visit with a dog. It is one and a half hours south of Stockholm and enchants with its skerry landscapes, which you can reach dog-friendly without a boat.

Find out more about the Stendörrens nature reserve with dogs

If you would like to visit Stockholm with your dog, I recommend the inexpensive parking lot at Söder Mälarstrand, from where you can easily reach hip Södermalm, but also the beautiful old town Gamla Stan. You have a fantastic view of Stockholm from Mariaberget just above Söder Mälarstrand. By the way: Dogs are usually not allowed in restaurants, but it was never a problem in outdoor areas.

More Sweden adventures with dogs

Here you will find all our travel reports about Scandinavia including our complete route through Sweden and Norway. Have fun browsing and discovering.

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